Most Expensive Schools in South Africa 2023 – Top 10 Ranked

Most Expensive Schools in South Africa 2023

As the cost of living continues to rise in South Africa, the price of education is also reaching new heights. The country’s private schools have once again hiked their fees for the upcoming academic year, with some now charging more than R300,000 a year for boarding and tuition.

The increasing cost of private education is a cause for concern for many families, particularly as salaries struggle to keep up with inflation. Despite this, South Africa’s elite schools are still in high demand, with parents willing to pay top dollar for the best education for their children. In this article, we will take a closer look at the most expensive schools in South Africa for 2023 and explore the reasons behind the rising costs of education.

At least nine private schools in South Africa have raised their fees for 2023, with the most expensive school, Hilton College, now charging R369,920 for boarding only. This marks a 7.8% increase from last year and puts the school at the top of the list of nine schools that charge over R300,000 for tuition and boarding.

The hike in fees is consistent with the 7.4% inflation rate in 2022, but it comes at a time when households in South Africa are under financial pressure due to the higher cost of living. Economists predict that more parents may withdraw their children from expensive private schools and place them in lower-cost schools with acceptable standards of education.

Top 10 Expensive Schools in South Africa

The below schools are the Top 10 Schools which are expensive in South Africa 

S.No	School	Location	2022	2023
1	Hilton	Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal	R343 155	R369 920
2	MichaelHouse	Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal	R328 000	R347 680
3	St Andrew’s College	Makhanda, Eastern Cape	R320 064	R340 869
4	Roedean School for Girls	Johannesburg, Gauteng	R310 994	R338 428
5	St John’s College	Johannesburg, Gauteng	R304 995	R331 091
6	Kearsney College	Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal	R303 710	R326 480
7	St Mary’s	Johannesburg, Gauteng	R293 050	R313 990
8	Bishops College	Cape Town, Western Cape	R289 700	R311 960
9	St Alban’s College	Pretoria, Gauteng	R287 850	R307 350
10	Diocesan School for Girls	Makhanda, Eastern Cape	R276 930	R299 100

Let us see each schools in detail.

TRENDING

1. Hilton College – Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal

Hilton College, located in the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, is one of the most prestigious and sought-after boarding schools in South Africa. Established in 1872, Hilton has a rich history and tradition of academic excellence, sporting achievement, and cultural diversity.

As the most expensive school in the country, Hilton’s fees for 2023 have risen to a staggering R369,920 for boarding students, making it an exclusive institution for the wealthy and elite. With state-of-the-art facilities, experienced educators, and a comprehensive curriculum, Hilton College continues to attract students from all over the world who are seeking the very best education that money can buy.

2. MichaelHouse – Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal

MichaelHouse, located in Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal, is a prestigious all-boys boarding school that has been providing world-class education since its establishment in 1896. With a focus on academic excellence and holistic development, MichaelHouse offers a variety of sporting, cultural, and leadership activities, allowing its students to excel in various fields. As one of the most expensive schools in South Africa, MichaelHouse’s fees are not for the faint-hearted, but the school’s reputation for producing well-rounded, accomplished young men speaks for itself.

3. St Andrew’s College – Makhanda, Eastern Cape

St Andrew’s College, located in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape, is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in South Africa. Established in 1855, the school has a rich history of providing quality education to young men. St Andrew’s College is an Anglican school that offers boarding facilities for its students, with a focus on academic excellence, sports, and cultural activities.

The school has a strong academic reputation and consistently performs well in national and international examinations. It has a small student body, with approximately 450 boys enrolled from Grades 8 to 12. The school’s academic program is designed to prepare students for tertiary education and provides them with a broad range of subjects to choose from, including English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, History, Geography, and others.

St Andrew’s College has a strong sporting tradition and offers a wide range of sports, including rugby, cricket, soccer, hockey, basketball, and swimming, among others. The school has produced numerous national and international sportsmen over the years, including Olympic gold medalist Roland Schoeman.

4. Roedean School for Girls – Johannesburg, Gauteng

Roedean School for Girls – Johannesburg, Gauteng is an elite all-girls boarding and day school that has made a name for itself as one of the best schools in South Africa. With a rich history spanning over 100 years, Roedean School for Girls has built a reputation for academic excellence, as well as a strong focus on leadership, service, and personal development.

This prestigious school is located in the heart of Johannesburg and boasts state-of-the-art facilities, world-class teachers, and a diverse student body. Students at Roedean School for Girls are given every opportunity to excel academically, athletically, and artistically, and are prepared to take on leadership roles in their future careers.

5. St John’s College – Johannesburg, Gauteng

St John’s College is a private, Anglican boys’ school located in Houghton, Johannesburg. Founded in 1898, the school has a reputation for academic excellence and a strong focus on sports and extracurricular activities.The school’s campus covers an area of approximately 25 hectares and includes modern facilities such as state-of-the-art science and computer labs, a well-equipped library, and sports facilities such as rugby, cricket, hockey and soccer fields, a swimming pool and a gymnasium.

St John’s College offers a comprehensive academic program, with a wide range of subjects offered at both IEB and Cambridge levels. The school also offers a number of extracurricular activities, including music, drama, debating, and community service programs.

The school has a strong tradition of producing successful alumni, including prominent figures in South African politics, business, and sport. The school’s motto, “Nisi Dominus Frustra” (Without the Lord, all is in vain), reflects the school’s commitment to its Christian ethos and values.

6. Kearsney College – Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Nata

Kearsney College is an independent boarding school for boys located in Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The school was founded in 1921 by Sir James Liege Hulett, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist, and is still funded by the Hulett family.

Kearsney College is known for its excellent academic and sporting facilities, with a strong emphasis on rugby, cricket, and hockey. The school has a wide range of extracurricular activities, including music, drama, and public speaking, and is committed to developing well-rounded individuals.

As a boarding school, Kearsney College provides a supportive and nurturing environment for its students. The school has seven boarding houses, each with its unique character and style, and is home to approximately 600 boys from diverse backgrounds.

The fees for attending Kearsney College are among the highest in South Africa, with tuition and boarding fees for 2023 set at R224,620. Despite the cost, Kearsney College remains a popular choice for families who value the school’s strong academic and sporting reputation, as well as its emphasis on developing well-rounded individuals.

7. St Mary’s – Johannesburg, Gauteng

St Mary’s is an independent Catholic school for girls located in Waverley, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Founded in 1888, the school has a rich history and has consistently been ranked as one of the top girls’ schools in the country. The school offers education from pre-primary level to matriculation and follows the IEB (Independent Examinations Board) curriculum.

St Mary’s is known for its excellent academic results and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, music, drama, and community service. The school’s fees for 2023 are among the highest in the country, with both day and boarding options available for learners. Despite the high fees, St Mary’s remains a popular choice for parents looking for a quality education for their daughters.

8. Bishops College – Cape Town, Western Cape

Bishops College is a private, all-boys boarding school located in the Rondebosch suburb of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Founded in 1849, the school has a long and prestigious history of providing high-quality education to its students. The school is known for its excellent academic programs, as well as its strong sporting and cultural traditions.

Bishops College is one of the most expensive schools in South Africa, with fees for 2023 exceeding R300,000 for tuition and boarding. Despite the high costs, the school remains a popular choice for families who value the exceptional education and opportunities that it provides.

9. St Alban’s College – Pretoria, Gauteng

St Alban’s College is a private boarding and day school for boys situated in Pretoria, Gauteng. It was founded in 1963 by Anton Murray. The school’s motto, “Pro Aris et Focis” which means “For hearth and home”, reflects the school’s commitment to producing well-rounded young men who are not only excellent scholars but also have strong character and values.

St Alban’s College offers education from Grade 8 to Grade 12, with a focus on academic excellence and a strong sports program. The school has consistently produced excellent academic results, with a 100% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate exams.

The school has a strong sporting tradition, with excellent facilities for rugby, cricket, hockey, soccer, tennis, swimming, and athletics. St Alban’s College has produced several national and international sportsmen in various fields. St Alban’s College also places a strong emphasis on cultural activities such as music, art, and drama, and has a vibrant cultural program with several opportunities for students to participate in various cultural activities.

10. Diocesan School for Girls – Makhanda, Eastern Cape

Diocesan School for Girls, also known as DSG, is an independent, Anglican boarding and day school for girls located in the town of Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Founded in 1874, DSG is one of the oldest girls’ schools in the country and has a rich history of academic excellence and sporting achievements.

The school offers education from Grade R (preschool) to Grade 12, and follows the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum, which is recognized internationally. DSG has a strong focus on holistic education and encourages girls to develop their academic, cultural, and sporting potential.

The campus is spread over 30 hectares and includes modern academic facilities, a chapel, a sports center, an art center, a music center, and several boarding houses. The boarding houses are home to girls from various parts of South Africa, as well as from other countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia.

DSG has a strong tradition of academic excellence, with a 100% pass rate in the IEB National Senior Certificate exams. The school also offers a range of subjects, including STEM subjects, languages, humanities, and arts. The school’s academic program is supported by a team of dedicated and experienced educators, who provide personalized attention and support to each student.

Which is the Most Expensive School in South Africa 2023?

Hilton College, which is often simply called Hilton, is a private boarding school for boys located in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands near the town of Hilton. The school is situated on a vast estate of 1,762 hectares (4,350 acres), which includes a wildlife reserve spanning 550 hectares (1,400 acres).

Hilton College’s academic program is divided into five forms, with “First Form” equivalent to Grade 8 and “Fifth Form” equivalent to Grade 12, or matric, for boys aged 14 to 19. In Forms 1 and 2, students follow a bespoke, semesterized curriculum inspired by the best educational practices in South Africa and globally.  In Form 3, students choose between the IEB Pathway and the A Level Pathway, which prepares them to take either the Independent Examinations Board exams or International A Level exams administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education. 

Hilton College has a notable track record of producing Rhodes and Elsie Ballot scholars who go on to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, respectively. Hilton College students have also been admitted to prestigious universities in the United States, such as Harvard University and Princeton University.

Hilton College has a strong tradition of sports that dates back to its founding in 1872. The school offers a wide range of sports, and participation in sports is compulsory for all students. Rugby, cricket, water polo, and hockey are the most popular sports at Hilton College. The school has produced many Springbok Rugby players and has also contributed to the Natal Rugby Union and Kwa-Zulu Natal’s provincial colors.

 Additionally, Hilton College students participate in athletics, basketball, cross country, kayaking/canoeing, golf, mountain biking, rowing, shooting, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and water polo.

Top 10 Best Schools in South Africa 

Here is the list of Top 10 Best Schools in South Africa.

S.No	Best Schools in South Africa
1	Grey College
2	King Edward VII School
3	Hilton College
4	St John’s College Houghton
5	Maritzburg College
6	Selborne College
7	St Alban’s College
8	Durban High School
9	Grey High School
10	St Andrew’s College

Expensive Schools of South Africa 

The cost of education in South Africa is on the rise, with private schools charging increasingly high fees. In 2023, at least nine private schools in the country will be charging over R300,000 for tuition and boarding. The most expensive school is Hilton College, which is now charging R369,920 for boarding only, representing a 7.8% increase from last year. Other schools that made the list include MichaelHouse, St. Andrew’s College, Roedean School for Girls, and St. John’s College. Despite the increasing fees, South Africa’s elite schools remain in high demand, with parents willing to pay top dollar for the best education for their children. These schools offer a comprehensive curriculum, experienced educators, and state-of-the-art facilities. However, economists predict that more parents may withdraw their children from expensive private schools and place them in lower-cost schools with acceptable standards of education.

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