Best School in South Africa 2023

South Africa offers diverse education options, including private schools with excellent facilities and international curricula, as well as high-performing public schools. While many excellent schools exist in the country, naming a definitive Best school in South Africa is subjective and context-specific.

The best schools in South Africa 2023

School NameLocationDescription
Eden CollegeDurbanPrivate school with a British curriculum and an exceptional academic reputation.
Hilton CollegeKwaZulu-NatalA private school is known for academic excellence and a wide range of activities.
St. John's CollegeJohannesburgPrivate school with a strong academic tradition and a variety of extracurriculars.
Westerford High SchoolCape TownA public school with a strong academic record and various extracurricular activities.
Rondebosch Boys' High SchoolCape TownA public school with a reputation for academic excellence and diverse activities.
Maritzburg CollegePietermaritzburgA public school is known for academic excellence and a wide range of activities.

Provincial School Performance

Here's a glimpse of school performance in select provinces:

Province2021 Pass RateTop-Performing Schools
Gauteng83.3%St. John's College, Roedean School, Crawford College Sandton, and Redhill School
Free State85.1%St. Andrew's School for Girls, Grey College, Eunice High School, Hoërskool Fichardtpark
Eastern Cape76.5%St. Dominic's Priory School, Clarendon High School for Girls, Grey High School, Pearson High School
Western Cape86.3%Herschel Girls School, Rondebosch Boys' High School, Bishops Diocesan College, and Rustenburg Girls' High School

Public vs. private schools

Public schools offer affordable education, while private schools have smaller class sizes and more personalized teaching. Private schools generally excel academically, but quality varies.

Prominent schools in major cities

Major cities in South Africa house prominent schools known for academic excellence and diverse extracurriculars:

Johannesburg: St. John's College, St. Stithians College, King Edward VII School, Roedean School for Girls, Parktown Boys' High School

Cape Town: Herschel Girls School, Bishops Diocesan College, Rondebosch Boys' High School, Westerford High School, and Wynberg Boys' High School.

Pretoria: Pretoria Boys High School, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), Hoërskool Menlopark, Pretoria High School for Girls, Crawford College Pretoria.

Schools with exceptional performance

The Department of Basic Education has identified public schools with exceptional matriculation exam performance. Here are a few examples:

  • Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, Pretoria
  • Hoërskool Waterkloof, Pretoria
  • Eunice Secondary School, Bloemfontein
  • Ulwazi High School, East London
  • Wesvalia High School, Klerksdorp
  • Hoërskool Hopetown, Northern Cape
  • Highveld Muslim Combine, Mpumalanga
  • Kearsney College, Durban
  • Eden College, Durban
  • Bloemhof High School, Stellenbosch

Historical Schools in South Africa

South Africa has historical schools with a rich legacy, such as Bishop's Diocesan College (established in 1849), Roedean School (established in 1903), and St. Alban's College (established in 1963).

Most Expensive Schools in South Africa

The most expensive schools in South Africa include Hilton College, Kearsney College, St. John's College, Michaelhouse, and Roedean School. These schools offer top-quality education and facilities but come with high fees.

Final Thoughts

South Africa offers a wide range of excellent schools. While attending a top-performing school is beneficial, other factors like a supportive family environment and student dedication are equally crucial for success. The country continues to work on addressing educational inequalities and improving its education system.