Top 15 affordable boarding schools in South Africa in 2023
Boarding schools in South Africa are known for being costly, and their charges have gradually increased in the past three years. These statistics beg the question, are there any affordable boarding schools in South Africa? Go through these details as they explore the most affordable institutions and their contact details.
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The debate about boarding schools being better than day schools is subjective since these institutions offer access to education under different circumstances. Nonetheless, the question of their affordability often comes up; hence, this list of the most affordable boarding schools in South Africa puts it into perspective.
Top 15 most affordable boarding schools in South Africa
These are some of the cheap boarding schools to send your learners to. The details also include their contact information and addresses.
1. Pretoria High School for Girls
Pretoria High School for Girls is one of the best boarding schools in Gauteng. It is a section 21 fee-paying school, as per SASA. It has a capacity of 1300 learners, and its values are centred on Christianity, trained spirit, healthy physique and discipline.
The 2024 fees for Pretoria High School for Girls are as follows:
- Grade 8: R55,530
- Above grade 8: R49,700
The charges do not include boarding fees; the institution reviews school fees annually.
- Telephone: 012 430 7341
- Email: admissions@phsg.org.za
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2. Blue Hills Schools
Situated in Midrand, Blue Hills Schools is a private institution known for its quality education and affordability. The Christian private school offers education services to learners from grade R to grade 12, with boarding services for learners aged 11 to 20.
The school's boarding and tuition fees differ depending on the learner's level of education and whether they are international or South African natives. It ranges between R9,635 and R10,430 per month and does not include additional charges such as registration fees, development levy and sports levy.
- Physical address: 16 Village Rd, Blue Hills AH, Midrand, 1685, South Africa
- Phone: +27 11 318 4882
3. General Smuts High School
Founded in 1953, General Smuts High School is one of Vaal's largest and oldest institutions. The school charges R3,300 monthly or R34,700 annually.
- Physical address: Van Riebeeck St, Vereeniging, 1930, South Africa
- Phone: 0164214130
Source: Facebook
4. Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School
The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School is one of the most affordable boarding schools in KwaZulu Natal. The institution is one of a kind, as it uses choral music as a tool for holistic education. It also provides a Christian environment for physical development and academic excellence.
School fees at Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School range between R17,600 and R22,000, depending on the learner's level of education. The institution supports 25% of its students through a bursary scheme which accommodates talented learners who cannot afford the total school fees.
- Physical address: R600, Winterton, 3340
- Phone: +27 36 468 1012
- Email: admin@dbchoir.com
5. St Andrew’s College
St Andrew's College is an Anglican all-boys high school in Graham, Eastern Cape, which values and embraces diversity. The school's annual boarding fees range between R191,490 and R363,879, depending on the learner's level of education. The school also has a package that offers a range of academic scholarships to academically strong and talented boys in Grade 8.
- Physical address: Makhanda, Grahamstown, 6140, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Phone: +27(0)46 603 2300
- Email: contact@sacschool.com
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6. Rodean School
Rodean School is an all-girls day and boarding school with an outstanding reputation as a centre of educational excellence. The institution's innovative curriculum inspires a life of significance, social responsibility and leadership.
The Rodean School termly boarding fee is approximately R156,480, not including tuition charges.
- Physical address: Princess of Wales Terrance, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Phone: 0116473200
7. Pretoria Boys' High
Pretoria Boys' High is one of the oldest and most affordable public boarding schools in South Africa. It has an expansive and serene environment, ideal for learners to access sound academics and co-curricular activities, including sports. Besides the tuition fees, the school charges an additional R85,900 per annum for boarding expenses.
- Physical address: 200 Roper St, Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa.
- Phone: +27 12 460 2246
Source: Facebook
8. Cornerstone College
Established in 1991, Cornerstone College is a Christian-based institution that focuses on enforcing discipline while meeting your child's educational needs. It also offers extra-curricular activities like athletics, netball, soccer and cricket. Cornerstone College's annual boarding fee is R50,900.
- Physical address: 50 Moreleta Street, Silverton, Pretoria
- Phone: 0128048350
- Email: admin@cornerstonecollege.org.za
Source: Facebook
9. Crawford College
Crawford College is an international learning institution that opened its first branch in 1993 in Johannesburg. It is one of the largest groups of schools, with 19 institutions nationwide. Depending on the learner's level of education, Crawford College's fee ranges between R16,3480 and R19,950, making it among cheap boarding schools in South Africa.
- Physical address: off Ngenda Rd, Tatu City
- Phone: 020 7651053
10. United Church School
Located in KwaZulu-Natal, the United Church School offers high-quality education to learners from low-income households. The school's financial support covers boarding, tuition charges and other expenses.
- Physical address: 44 Frances Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg 2198, South Africa
- Phone: 011 648 4727
- Email address: uchs@unitedcs.co.za
11. Parktown Boys' High School
Parktown Boys' High School is one of Gauteng's most affordable boarding schools and one of Johannesburg's oldest high schools for boys. It charges R64,000 per annum as tuition fees and R95,000 as boarding fees.
- Physical address: 20 Wellington Rd, Parktown, 2193
- Telephone: (011) 642 4531
- Email: info@parktownboys.com
12. Maritzburg College
Maritzburg College offers scholarships to learners who excel in academics, sports and culture. The institution's annual tuition fee ranges between R61,400 and R65,700, while the boarding fee ranges between R95,400 and R152,4000.
- Physical address: 51 College Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
- Phone: 033 342 9376
- Email: info@mcollege.co.za
Source: Facebook
13. Jeppe High School for Boys
Jeppe High School for Boys is among Gauteng's top 10 public boarding schools. Its curriculum focuses on academic excellence and nurturing learners' talents and abilities. Its annual fee is approximately R59,200.
- Physical address: Corner of Roberts Avenue and Good Hope Street, Kensington, Johannesburg
- Phone number: +27 (0) 11 614 1938
- Email address: info@jeppeboys.co.za
14. St Stithians College
Located in Sandton, St. Stithians College is a private Methodist School, one of the best-performing schools in Gauteng Province. Its six schools offer educational services to learners at different academic levels. The boy's boarding school fee is approximately R128,060. The school awards scholarships for excellence in academics, culture, and sports to learners in the boys' and girls' colleges.
- Phone: +27 (0)11 577 6316 for (Junior Preparatory and Boys' College)
- Email: lgroombridge@stithian.com
- Phone: +27 (0)11 577 6364 Application Enquiries for our Boys' and Girls' Preps and Girls' College
- Email: nmalinga@stithian.com
15. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School
Situated in Pietermaritzburg, Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School is an all-girls high school offering learning services to students in grades 8 to 12. The institution has dynamic learning environments with diverse opportunities tailored to specific student's needs.
Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School's fees for 2024 are R51,220 per annum for grade 8 learners and R47,979 per annum for learners above grade 8. The school charges boarding fees rated at R74,114 per annum.
- Physical address: 186 Alexandra Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
- Telephone: 033 386 9271
- Email: admin@ghspmb.co.za
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Why are day schools better than boarding schools?
According to reports, boarding schools in South Africa are some of the best because they offer quality education and a stimulating learning environment. The other pros of learners studying in boarding schools include the following:
- Living close to other learners fosters social skills and collaboration.
- Encouraging independence and maturity in learners.
- Exposure to diverse world views.
- Sometimes, they help improve the relationship between learners and their families.
The primary disadvantage of boarding schools is how expensive some of these institutions are.
How much is a boarding school in SA?
The costs of boarding schools in South Africa vary. For instance, the most expensive institution costs approximately R369,920 in 2023. In the past three years, there has been a steady increase in private and government boarding school fees.
Where can I send my troubled child for free in Cape Town?
Military schools are not ordinarily designed for troubled teens; you can consider boarding schools, teen challenge schools or residential schools. Examples of remedial schools in Cape Town include:
- Abeille Ruche School
- Shelanti Private School
- Dunatos Private Remedial School
- The Tafelberg Remedial School
- Chrysalis Academy
- The School of Hope
Which are the top 5 boarding girls' schools?
The top 5 boarding girls' schools include:
- Herschel girls School
- St Andrew's School for Girls
- Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls
- Roedean School for Girls
- Hilton College
Is boarding school a good idea in South Africa?
South African boarding schools are a good idea since they provide learners with quality education in a stimulating environment. They also foster independent study.
How much does a boarding school cost in South Africa?
The cost of these schools varies depending on diverse factors. Nine of the most expensive schools cost over R300,000 per year.
Although most boarding schools are expensive for many, some boarding schools in South Africa offer scholarships to top-performing students from financially strained families.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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Source: Briefly News
