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Top 10 Best High Schools in Gauteng 2025

Where academic legends are forged—and the price tags that come with the glory

Gauteng hosts a vast mix of heritage‑rich colleges and high schools. From sandstone cloisters on Houghton Ridge to century‑old public campuses in Pretoria, each institution on this list scores consistently high matric marks, fields championship teams, and charges a fee that matches its cachet. Use this deep dive to balance academic reputation, campus culture, and—let’s be honest—your budget for 2025.

Best High Schools in Gauteng

1 | St John’s College – Johannesburg

Private • Anglican • Boys • Day & Boarding

| 2025 Tuition | R220 828 (Grades 8–12) |
| Boarding | R127 076 (weekly) / R155 761 (termly) | stjohnscollege.co.za

Why it rocks: 127‑year pedigree, IEB top‑tier results, and choirs that’ll give you goosebumps. Rugby, rowing, robotics—pick your poison.

Good‑to‑know: Expect extra levies (development, rowing, lunches). Dress code is formal blazers, but Fridays get a relaxed twist with house colours.


2 | Roedean School (SA) – Parktown

Private • Girls • Day & Boarding

  • Tuition 2025: Grades 10‑12 — R218 877; Grades 8‑9 — R198 850 schoolhive.co.za
  • Boarding: Contact admissions (beds are limited).

Empowers young women with a ferocious blend of Cambridge‑depth science labs, Debating Society bragging rights, and water‑polo that regularly medals at SA Schools. White sundresses and green blazers keep the look classic.


3 | Parktown Boys’ High School – Johannesburg

Public • Boys • Day & Boarding

Old‑school traditions (cadet parades, anyone?) meet modern STEM centres. Fees stay sane for a school that punches above its public‑school weight in academics and swimming.


4 | St Benedict’s College – Bedfordview

Private • Catholic • Boys • Day & Boarding

  • Tuition 2025 (Gr 10‑12): R174 114
  • Boarding (annual): R128 199 termly / R120 100 weekly stbenedicts.co.za

Bennies couples strict ethics with slick e‑sports arenas and a powerhouse water‑polo programme. Friday mass is compulsory; so is service‑learning.


5 | King Edward VII (KES) – Houghton

Public • Boys • Day & Weekly Boarding

| Tuition 2025 | R74 600 |
| Boarding + Tuition | R154  500 | kes.co.za

Cricket legends are born here, and the Red Army rugby crowd is the stuff of Gauteng folklore. Weekly boarding fills fast—apply by Grade 6!

READ: How to Create a Simple Holiday Routine for Kids at Home

6 | Hoërskool Waterkloof – Pretoria

Public • Co‑ed • Day & Boarding

Campus vibe? Afrikaans pride meets state‑of‑the‑art sports villages. Budget‑friendly for the value.


7 | St Mary’s School – Waverley

Private • Anglican • Girls • Day & Boarding

  • Tuition 2025: R163 835 – R204 140 (Grades 8‑12) wisemove.co.za

Oldest girls’ school in Jozi. Expect Cambridge music exams, global exchange trips, and a blazing hot hockey astro. “Smart casual” dominates non‑assembly days.


8 | St Stithians College – Sandton

Private • Methodist • Co‑ed Colleges & Boarding (Boys)

| Tuition 2025 (Gr 8‑12) | R186 615 |
| Boys’ Boarding | R137 020 | stithian.com

Think Silicon‑Valley‑meets‑chapel: coding incubators, a mega aquatic centre, and the famous Saints Easter Rugby Festival.


9 | Pretoria Boys High School – Brooklyn

Public • Boys • Day & Boarding

  • Tuition 2025: R76 900 (Gr 8‑9) – R75 100 (Gr 12)
  • Boarding: R91 800 boyshigh.com

Nelson Mandela once addressed assembly here. Expect sprawling grounds, 14 sports codes, and a classical music society that rivals specialist arts schools.


10 | Barnato Park High School – Berea

Public • Co‑ed • Day

Housed on historic grounds once owned by mining magnate Barney Barnato. Known for inclusive culture, solid matric results, and arts festivals that light up inner‑city Joburg.


Cost Snapshot (for two learners over a year)

SchoolDay Tuition (2 ×)Add weekly boarding (if offered)
St John’sR441 656+ R254 152
RoedeanR437 754enquire
Parktown BoysR130 000+ R50 000
St Benedict’sR348 228+ R240 200
KESR149 200+ R159 800
WaterkloofR97 720n/a
St Mary’s≈ R327 670enquire
St StithiansR373 230+ R274 040
Pretoria Boys≈ R153 800+ R91 800
Barnato Park≈ R100 000n/a

(Boarding totals include tuition where applicable.)


Attire & Ambience Cheat‑Sheet

  • Formal blazers & ties: St John’s, Roedean, KES, Parktown Boys.
  • Smart casual Fridays: Waterkloof, St Stithians.
  • Full uniforms year‑round: Barnato Park (grey & red).
  • Gowns and chapel dress: St Mary’s choir, St Benedict’s mass days.

Location & Operating Hours (Quick Look)

SchoolCityTypical DayAfter‑hours
St John’sHoughton, JHB07:30–15:00Activities to 18:00
RoedeanParktown, JHB07:30–14:45Clubs to 17:00
Parktown BoysParktown, JHB07:30–14:00Sports until 17:30
St Benedict’sBedfordview07:30–14:30Study hall 18:30 (boarders)
KESHoughton, JHB07:30–14:30Evening prep 19:00 (boarders)
WaterkloofErasmuskloof, PTA07:15–14:15Sport & arts 17:00
St Mary’sWaverley, JHB07:30–14:30Boarding prep 19:30
St StithiansLyme Park, Sandton07:40–14:20Clubs 18:00
Pretoria BoysBrooklyn, PTA07:40–14:15Prep 19:00 (boarders)
Barnato ParkBerea, JHB07:45–14:30Extra lessons 16:30

(Always confirm term dates & hours with the school office.)


Budget Benchmarks

  • Tight belt (≤ R100 k p.a.): Waterkloof, Barnato Park, Parktown Boys.
  • Mid‑range (R150 k – R200 k): KES, Pretoria Boys, St Benedict’s (day).
  • Premium (≥ R200 k): St John’s, Roedean, St Stithians, St Mary’s.

Choosing Your Champion

Factor in commute time, sport or music passions, language of instruction, and the all‑important post‑matric network. Visit open days, talk to current parents, and scan each school’s scholarship matrix—many shave 10‑100% off the sticker price for top academics, sport, or financial need.

Also read: Top 15 Most Expensive Schools in the World (2025) – Ranked & Revealed!

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