Top 15 Most Expensive Schools in Gauteng

Gauteng is home to some of the most expensive schools in South Africa, and parents planning for 2027 will need deep pockets. At the top end, a year of tuition and full boarding at a leading Johannesburg girls’ school now costs more than R400 000, while the province’s priciest international school charges over R700 000 a year in day fees alone.

Fees continue to climb faster than inflation. Stats SA data reported by Daily Investor shows that private secondary school fees rose 7,5% in 2026, well above headline inflation of 3,1%. Several schools have already released their 2027 fee schedules, with increases of around 6% to 6,5%.

Whether you are comparing options for Grade 8 or simply curious about the cost of an elite education, here is what Gauteng’s most expensive schools charge, what the fees include, and the extra costs parents often overlook.

How We Ranked Gauteng’s Most Expensive Schools

Schools are ranked by the highest annual amount a parent could pay for a learner in the most senior grade, usually Grade 12. For boarding schools, this is tuition plus full boarding. For day schools, it is day tuition.

We used 2027 fees where a school has already published them, and 2026 fees where it has not. All figures come from each school’s own published fee schedule, unless stated otherwise. Schools still on 2026 fees are likely to increase them for 2027, so treat those figures as a minimum.

Most figures are the full annual fee before early-payment discounts and exclude levies, exam fees and enrolment fees, which are covered further down. Always confirm the latest fees directly with the school before applying.

1) American International School Of Johannesburg (AISJ)

Fees: Grade 11 to 12 tuition of R703 494 a year (2025/26 academic year, August to June)
Boarding: Not offered

AISJ is in a category of its own. The international school prices its fees in US dollars or rand, with Grade 11 and 12 tuition set at US$37 026. New learners also pay a once-off capital fee of R209 475 and a R49 400 deposit. The 2026/27 fee schedule had not been published on the school’s website at the time of writing.

2) Roedean School (SA), Parktown

Fees (2026): Grade 12 day tuition R233 104 | Tuition plus full boarding R413 095
Weekly boarding option: R377 098

Founded in 1903 as a sister school to Roedean in Brighton, England, this Grade 0 to 12 girls’ school carries the highest boarding bill on our list. Full boarding costs R179 991 a year on top of tuition. Parents also pay a building levy of R8 340 a year.

3) St Mary’s School, Waverley

Fees (2027): Grade 10 to 12 day tuition R233 720 | Tuition plus full boarding R407 345
Weekly boarding option: R392 300

Founded by the Anglican Church in 1888, St Mary’s is one of the first schools on this list to publish its 2027 fees. Boarding adds R173 625 a year. Matric fees include the IEB exam fee, and there is a development levy of R9 900 a year.

4) St John’s College, Houghton

Fees (2026): Grade 8 to 12 day tuition R232 974 | Tuition plus full boarding R397 302
Weekly boarding option: R367 040

This Anglican school, founded in 1898, is a boys’ school, with girls admitted to its Bridge Nursery School and Sixth Form. Matric boarders must board for all three terms. A development levy of R11 876 and a security levy of R1 586 are charged on top of tuition.

5) Reddam House Helderfontein, Fourways

Fees (2026): Grade 12 day tuition R214 080 | Tuition plus boarding about R384 580

Reddam House Helderfontein is one of the few schools in the Reddam group to offer boarding. Boarding costs R153 900 a year, plus compulsory laundry (R3 570) and lunch (R13 030) charges. Its sister school, Reddam House Waterfall, charges the same R214 080 for Grade 12 day tuition.

6) St Alban’s College, Pretoria

Fees (2026): Day tuition R214 120 | Tuition plus boarding R376 580

St Alban’s is an Anglican boys’ senior school with boarding, founded in 1963. The school charges a single tuition rate for all grades, which includes tea and lunch. New families should budget for a significant non-refundable enrolment levy of R71 375 for day boys and R109 640 for boarders. The school does not enrol boys into matric.

7) St Mary’s Diocesan School For Girls (DSG), Pretoria

Fees (2027): Grade 12 day tuition R205 160 | Tuition plus boarding R375 680

Pretoria’s independent Anglican girls’ school traces its history back to 1879. Boarding costs R170 520 a year. Parents who pay the full year by 31 October 2026 pay R192 850 for Grade 12 tuition instead of R205 160. The Grade 8 enrolment fee is R58 210.

8) St Andrew’s School For Girls, Bedfordview

Fees (2026): Grade 10 to 12 day tuition R196 670 | Tuition plus boarding R364 570

Founded in 1902, St Andrew’s is an independent Christian girls’ school with an Anglican affiliation. Boarding costs R167 900 a year. A CAPEX and development levy of R9 860 and the Grade 12 IEB exam fee of R9 669 are charged separately.

9) St Stithians College, Sandton

Fees (2026): Grade 12 day tuition R199 680 | Tuition plus full boarding R346 295

This Methodist school opened in 1953 and runs separate Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges, which charge the same tuition. Boarding is offered at the Boys’ College only, at R146 615 a year. A capital development fee of R8 620 a year is charged on top.

10) St Benedict’s College, Bedfordview

Fees (2027): Grade 12 day tuition R194 710 | Tuition plus termly boarding R343 010
Weekly boarding option: R333 595

The independent Catholic boys’ school has published its 2027 fees. Parents who pay the full year by 13 November 2026 pay R184 975 for Grade 12 tuition. The Grade 12 IEB exam fee of R10 394 is extra, and new learners pay a R15 000 non-refundable enrolment fee.

11) St David’s Marist Inanda, Sandton

Fees (2026): Grade 12 day tuition R201 455 | Tuition plus weekly boarding R338 496

St David’s is a Catholic Marist boys’ school offering weekly boarding. Its published annual fees already include a 4% discount for paying upfront; parents paying monthly will pay about R209 850 for tuition. A development levy of R12 597 is charged on top.

12) St Martin’s School, Rosettenville

Fees (2027): Grade 12 day tuition R148 550 | Tuition plus termly boarding R297 030
Weekly boarding option: R267 450

A co-educational Anglican school running from pre-school to matric, St Martin’s has the lowest day fees on this list, but its boarding fees place it among Gauteng’s most expensive schools overall. Development and ancillary levies, as well as the IEB exam fee, are extra.

13) Crawford International, Sandton

Fees (2027): Grade 12 day tuition R224 616 (paid annually by 31 January 2027)

Formerly known as Crawford College Sandton, the co-educational school is part of the ADvTECH group, and its Grade 12 learners write the IEB exams. Its day fees are among the highest in Gauteng. Paying monthly costs R236 400 over the year. New learners pay an application fee of R880 and an enrolment fee of R13 200.

14) Kingsmead College, Rosebank

Fees (2027): Grade 12 day tuition R221 025

This girls’ day school, founded in 1933, has announced a 6,5% fee increase for 2027. Parents who pay by 31 December 2026 pay R207 765. New families pay a R25 000 securing fee, and a development levy of R9 560 is charged on top of tuition.

15) King David High School, Linksfield

Fees (2026): Grade 12 day tuition R216 924

King David’s Victory Park high school closed at the end of 2025, and its learners moved to the Linksfield campus. The Jewish school is run by the South African Board of Jewish Education. Grades 9 to 11 cost slightly more than Grade 12, at R219 720. The Grade 12 IEB fee of R9 760 is extra.

Just outside the top 15: Cedarwood School in Midrand (R212 434 in 2027), Crawford International Lonehill (R209 352 in 2027), Redhill School (R204 000 in 2027) and Beaulieu College (R200 924 in 2027).

Gauteng’s Most Expensive Day Schools At A Glance

Most families will pay day fees rather than boarding. Here is how the highest Grade 12 day fees compare.

Remember that 2026 figures are likely to rise for 2027.

The Hidden Costs Parents Should Budget For

Tuition is only part of the bill. Before committing to a school, ask for the full fee schedule and check for these extra costs.

Enrolment and securing fees: Most schools charge a once-off, often non-refundable, fee to secure a place. These range from about R10 000 to well over R50 000. St Alban’s charges R71 375 for day boys, DSG Pretoria R58 210 for Grade 8, and Kingsmead and Cedarwood R25 000 each.

Development and building levies: Annual levies of between R3 500 and R12 600 are common and are usually charged on top of tuition.

IEB exam fees: Matric learners at independent schools typically pay an IEB exam fee of around R9 700 to R10 400, unless it is included in tuition.

Deposits: Many schools ask for a refundable deposit, often equal to one term’s fees, plus a separate boarding deposit.

Uniforms, devices, tours and transport: These are rarely included and can add thousands of rands a year.

The good news is that many schools offer early-payment discounts of between 4% and 6%. Some deadlines for 2027 fees fall as early as 31 October 2026, so check your school’s schedule now.

ALSO READ: GDE School Feeder Zones Explained For 2027: How They Affect Your Child’s School Placement

How Private School Fees Compare With Top Public Schools

Gauteng’s best-known public schools cost a fraction of private school fees. Based on 2026 published fees:

• King Edward VII School (KES): R79 500 a year
• Pretoria Boys High School: about R80 350 for Grade 12
• Parktown Boys’ High School: R72 000, plus a R5 500 levy
• Jeppe High School for Boys: R71 200
• Pretoria High School for Girls: R55 400 for Grades 9 to 12

In other words, Grade 12 day fees at Gauteng’s most expensive private schools are roughly three times those of the province’s top government schools.

What Parents Planning For 2027 Should Know

Public school placements: Applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 at Gauteng public schools for 2027 closed on 4 September 2026, with more than 805 000 applications received. Placement offers are expected to be sent by SMS from 15 October 2026. Parents have seven days to accept an offer and can lodge an objection or appeal if they are unhappy with their child’s placement.

Private school applications: Many independent schools fill Grade 8 places well in advance, so apply early and check whether there is a waiting list.

No VAT on school fees: From 1 January 2026, all supplies by schools are exempt from VAT, and schools should not charge VAT on their fees. However, schools that were registered for VAT must pay “exit VAT” from January 2027, and industry bodies have warned this could add pressure on fees.

Fee exemptions at public schools: Parents whose public school fees amount to 10% or more of their household income may qualify for a full exemption, and those between 3,5% and 10% for a partial exemption. Parents who receive the child support grant qualify automatically.

Bursaries and payment plans: Most independent schools offer academic, sports and needs-based bursaries, as well as monthly or termly payment options. Ask the school’s admissions or bursar’s office about deadlines.

How To Choose The Right School For Your Child

A high fee does not guarantee the right fit. Before you apply:

• Request the full 2027 fee schedule, including levies, deposits and exam fees
• Visit the campus and attend an open day
• Compare class sizes, subject choices and support services
• Work out the full cost, including transport, uniforms and devices
• Check whether the school writes IEB, NSC, Cambridge or IB exams, and whether that suits your child’s plans
• Ask about bursaries, sibling discounts and early-payment discounts
• Prioritise your child’s needs and wellbeing over the school’s reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Most Expensive School In Gauteng?

The American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) is the most expensive, with Grade 11 and 12 tuition of R703 494 for the 2025/26 academic year. Among traditional independent schools, Roedean School charges the most for boarders, at R413 095 a year for tuition and full boarding in 2026.

How Much Are School Fees At Roedean In 2026?

Roedean’s 2026 Grade 12 day tuition is R233 104 a year. Tuition plus full boarding comes to R413 095, or R377 098 with weekly boarding.

Are Private School Fees Going Up In 2027?

Yes. Schools that have published 2027 fees have raised them by around 6% to 6,5%. Kingsmead College announced a 6,5% increase, while Redhill School’s fees rose 6,25%.

Which Expensive Gauteng Schools Have Published 2027 Fees?

At the time of writing, St Mary’s School Waverley, St Mary’s DSG Pretoria, St Benedict’s College, St Martin’s School, Crawford International Sandton and Lonehill, Kingsmead College, Cedarwood School, Redhill School and Beaulieu College had published 2027 fees.

Do Parents Pay VAT On School Fees?

No. From 1 January 2026, all supplies made by schools are exempt from VAT, according to SARS.

When Will Gauteng Public School Placements For 2027 Be Sent?

Grade 1 and Grade 8 placement offers for 2027 are expected from 15 October 2026. Parents have seven days to accept an offer.

Planning Ahead For 2027

With fees at Gauteng’s top schools rising by around 6% a year, parents should budget not only for 2027 tuition but for increases every year until matric. Confirm fees directly with each school, take advantage of early-payment discounts where you can, and remember that the right school is the one that suits your child, not necessarily the one that costs the most.