Impact Story: Evergreen Royal Academy (ERA), Ghana

When his daughter was born in 2014, Rev. Vincent Yeboah, founder of the Evergreen Royal Academy (ERA), recognized a lack of access to quality education within his community. Determined to provide his daughter with the quality education she deserved, he established ERA in 2015 with her as its first student. Starting with only 5 students and 2 teachers, today the school comprises 426 students and 26 teachers. Driven by a mission to provide holistic and affordable education to the community, ERA continues to grow and expand with the help of both local and intergovernmental funders.

The initial financing for ERA came from Rev. Yeboah's elder brother, which helped build the first classroom and purchase a desk. Subsequently, a small loan from Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans was crucial in further developing the school’s infrastructure. This financial support facilitated the construction and expansion of classroom blocks, directly contributing to the school's capacity to serve more students. Such investment made it possible to accommodate the growing student population and enhance the learning environment. The school has recently grown significantly through marketing to parents and church members.

ERA joined the EduQuality program, a three-year initiative that provides training, resources, and local expertise to improve school leadership and teaching practices, to elevate its educational standards and leadership capabilities. Rev. Yeboah shared that his participation in the School Leadership Professional Development (SLDP) sessions, which offer essential training for school owners on instructional leadership and school management, has been especially transformative. He highlights how he gained insights into effective school management and the importance of branding and marketing in increasing school visibility.

Several notable initiatives have been launched under the EduQuality program, including organizing a school float to engage the community and dispel myths about the school's affordability, as well as developing an acronym for the school's name to make it more relatable. These initiatives have led to a substantial rise in student enrollment, sparked greater interest among stakeholders, and facilitated ongoing collaborations with the Ghana Navy to establish a Naval Cadet program. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of showcasing the school's mission, vision, and values to enhance visibility and build trust with the community and parents. ”Prominently displaying the school’s mission, vision, and values are especially important for increased visibility and trust with the community and parents”, he shares.

The implementation of the Teacher Mentor Professional Development (TMPD) sessions, which train experienced teachers to mentor their peers through a mix of in-person coaching and digital content, has fostered a collaborative and supportive teaching environment. Teacher mentors, selected from within the school, conduct classroom observations and provide feedback to their peers. This approach has led to noticeable improvements in classroom instruction and student engagement. The dedication and motivation of the teachers to implement EduQuality's processes are evident in the daily progress observed in the classrooms.

Evergreen Royal Academy's dedication to quality education is evident in its growth and development. Community engagement has boosted its reputation in Tema, Ghana. The EduQuality program has enhanced the school's standing and fostered pride among its members. The school is a model of strategic leadership and community involvement in education. Under Rev. Vincent Yeboah's guidance, ERA has flourished and aims for excellence. The partnership with Opportunity EduFinance's EduQuality program has been key to maintaining ERA's status as a beacon of quality education in Ghana.

We always seek to strengthen our quality of service and provide a quality education for all children. It is for them that we make these improvements and that we not only see it as a job but as our mission." - Rev. Vincent Yeboah, Proprietor, Evergreen Royal Academy (ERA)