The education sector in South Africa is very vibrant. A significant number of schools offer university, college, secondary, and primary studies. Similar to several other countries, institutions of education are categorized into two; public and private facilities. Typically, private institutions in South Africa tend to be the most expensive. A recent report suggested that the most expensive day school in South Africa costs over R200 000 for grade 12, while the other top ten most expensive schools in the country cost more than R160 000. Even so, many schools opted to increase fees by between 4% and 7.9% in 2021.
Tertiary education in South Africa costs around R50 000 up to R70 000 in some cases. This means that a year in grade 12 in one of the prestigious private day schools may cost an almost similar amount to an undergraduate degree in commerce, law, or arts at some higher education institutions in South Africa.
We have compiled a list of the most expensive schools in South Africa and provided rational reasons why you should pick them to ensure your child has the best education in SA.
Hilton College – R331 550
Hilton College is the most expensive school in South Africa, costing about R331 550 per academic year. This institution has more than 500 students from over 80 countries. It offers programs in Afrikaans as well as English. It ranks among the top for its quality of education and campus facilities levels.
Michaelhouse – R303,600
Michaelhouse is a private boarding school that was founded back in 1896. It has a rich history of providing education for the children of the rich and powerful. This institution provides traditional education focusing on languages, art, music, sports, and classics. Besides exemplary education, you will also be able to enjoy some of the finest amenities and facilities in South Africa. The school boasts of Anglican background, meaning that it follows the ethos set by the Church of England but with plenty of freedom to design its curriculum to suit its learners.
St. Andrews College Grahamstown – R291 000
This is a private Anglican boarding school that is regarded as one of the leading schools in South Africa. It caters to learners of all denominations and cultures. The school proudly boasts of academic achievement as well as sporting prowess.
Roedean School – R287,558
Roedean school is among the best elite girls boarding schools in South Africa; that was founded back in 1904. It has a rigorous academic curriculum for girls between ages 7 to 13 from all over the world. Their curriculum includes drama, dance, music, and foreign languages. They also have an extensive art studio that includes animation classes and a community center that has three large gyms with state-of-the-art equipment.
St. John’s School Houghton – R284 198
St. John’s school is renowned for providing an educational experience for its learners that promotes critical and creative thinking skills and a love for learning. In addition, their international Baccalaureate program equips learners for various university studies and careers. It also has several extracurricular activities and a well-equipped gymnasium with impressive equipment for games like netball and basketball.
Bishops Diocesan College – R277 800
This school prides itself on educating boys from different backgrounds. It is highly acclaimed for its remarkable sporting achievements. It ranks among the top schools in South Africa. Several notable figures have been linked to the school over the years, making it a desirable choice.
Kearnsney College Botha – R277 200
Kearnsney College Botha prides itself on being among the most diverse schools with learners worldwide. It has achieved a strong academic performance coupled with gold medals in the past three years. In addition, it offers several extracurricular activities and art and craft activities. The school also provides accommodation and boarding facilities for learners who need extended or special care.
St. Mary’s School Waverley – R272 240
This is a private Anglican English medium and boarding school for girls. It is among the top intellectual schools in Gauteng, founded in 1888. It provides whole-day enrichment classes conducted by expert teachers. These classes accommodate learners from nursery to high school.
St. Andrew’s School Bedfordview – R265 270
St. Adhrew’s school was designated as a heritage site by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation in 2007 due to its historic buildings and structures. It accepts both day students and borders.
St. Alban’s College Lynnwood Glen – R264, 900
St. Alban’s college was established to provide an academic need for boys who could not attend public institutions due to their religious affiliation or location. As a result, the school has a remarkable academic profile, with more than 6% of the educators being expatriates from different countries worldwide. It also has one of the most significant numbers of international students.
Some parents may argue that choosing the most expensive learning institution for their child is a waste of money. However, this choice pays in the long run. The most expensive schools in South Africa offer better opportunities for their learners to get into good universities. This propels them into career paths that are considerably more lucrative than those of other learners who attend less expensive schools.
Education is a huge investment. It is also a crucial responsibility, both emotionally and financially. As such, any responsible parent often does anything within their means to ensure their child gets the best possible start in life. If you are one such parent, you may have your eyes set on an expensive learning institution. You should know that the general rule of thumb regarding learning institutions in South Africa is that the more expensive the school, the higher the quality of education offered by the institution.
Any of these ten most expensive schools in South Africa will offer a great opportunity to your child. If you would like to enroll your child in any one of the learning institutions named above, contact the school for directions on the registration process and how to apply.
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