Choosing the perfect high school for your child is no easy undertaking. There are numerous factors you have to consider before choosing a school. These factors include location, fees, school’s academic performance, culture, and extracurricular activities and sports Below is a list of the top public, semi-private and private schools in South Africa (in no particular order) and how much tuition will cost in the 2021 academic year.
Top private schools
Crawford College (Sandton)
Named the top-performing private school, as they managed to achieve a 100% pass rate and all their students received a bachelor’s degree entry into higher learning institutions.
Annual fees: R143 260- R153 710
Eden College (Durban)
Eden College received a pass mark of 100% and had a limited class of 34 matriculants in 2019. They do not enrol a lot of students, and can, therefore, pay special attention to each student. This is why the average distinction for each student was 4.06 in 2018. They also offer scholarships and bursaries.
Annual fees: R129 190
Bloemhof High School (Stellenbosch)
Offering a cheaper option to parents, this is an Afrikaans school for girls only, which was also included in the top 10 best performing schools by Business Insider in January 2020.
Annual fees: R33 000
St. Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls (Pretoria)
In existence for more than 140 years, the school operates under the ethos of religion and spirituality. They are driven by principles such as honesty, respect, and tolerance, and also achievevd an average of 98% for their class of 2019.
Annual fees: R129 900 – R138 000
Top public schools
Durban Girls High (Glenwood, Durban)
In 2019, Durban Girls High recorded a pass rate of 100% for the 24th consecutive year. The school prides itself on upholding the personal dignity of all its learners and meeting the needs of the girls in the school. The school was established in 1882 and has been in operation for more than 120 years.
Annual fees: Available on request
Westerford High School (Cape Town)
Maintaining a consistent pass rate for years, Westford High School is a good option for families in Cape Town. The school considers itself as a “pupil centred school that prides itself on a strong academic curriculum, compulsory sports program, and an enthusiastically embraced cultural life.”
Annual fees: R42 972
Rondebosch Boys High School (Cape Town)
Fostering a culture of tenacity and confidence in young men, this boy’s school has been inspiring change for 123 years. They also offer scholarships and bursaries to students starting in grade 8, and the scholarships may run for the full five years.
Annual fees: R56 800
Willowridge High School (Pretoria)
Willowridge is a lot newer than a lot of good performing schools, established in 1987. It is sports and culturally orientated and ensures that every learner is a Willow Warrior.
Annual Fees: R29 950
