"Proud": Pretoria Public School Beats Elite Private Institutions in 2025 Rankings, Mzansi Reacts

• Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria topped the Solidarity SCS rankings as South Africa's best co-educational Afrikaans high school
• The public school recorded a 100% matric pass rate and 2.9 distinctions per candidate for its 2025 class
• South Africans were divided online after learning the school charges R5,600 a month in tuition fees

A Pretoria public school has quietly outperformed hundreds of South Africa's most expensive private institutions, and people are taking notice.

Hoërskool Menlopark claimed the top spot among co-educational schools on the Solidarity Support Centre for Schools Top 20 Afrikaans Schools list for 2025, finishing fifth overall. The four schools ranked above it, including Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof and Hoër Meisieskool Paarl, are all girls-only schools, making Menlopark the highest-ranked school serving both boys and girls.

The school's 2025 matric class achieved an average of 74.34%, with 2.9 distinctions per candidate. Every single learner passed, and 98.48% earned a Bachelor's pass. Individual subject distinctions included 139 in Afrikaans, 129 in English, 52 in Mathematics and 36 in Science. Nine learners walked away with nine distinctions each.

Read also

Paul Roos Gymnasium Grade 9 learner's death leaves school community in mourning

Beating Private Schools at a fraction of the cost

What makes the achievement particularly striking is the context. Independent and private schools affiliated with the IEB typically record between 0.8 and 1.2 distinctions per candidate on average. Hoërskool Menlopark more than doubled that figure while charging R61,600 in annual tuition for day scholars, paid in monthly instalments of R5,600. Boarding adds another R62,040 per year.

The school has maintained a 100% matric pass rate since 1987 and sends more than 95% of its graduates to university each year. It was founded on 29 January 1963, starting out with 372 pupils and 12 teachers, and has had only six headmasters in over six decades. Its motto, Excelsa Petamus, translates to "We strive for the highest values."

Beyond academics, Menlopark has produced Protea cricketers Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Theunis de Bruyn, as well as Springbok players Rudolf Straeuli and Jacques Olivier. Former Eskom chief executive André de Ruyter and FirstRand Group co-founder Laurie Dippenaar are also alumni, alongside musician Yolandi Visser and actress Amalia Uys.

Read also

"This is gold": Klipdrift 'Same-Same Scanner' unveils SA's top Springbok look-alike players

View the Instagram post here:

South Africans react to the rankings

The Businesstech post sparked a lively debate on the page, with comments ranging from pride to scepticism about the fees.

@viljoenliam said:

"Trots Afrikaans [Proud Afrikaans] ❤️"

@krynauwnotto wrote:

"Because we know how to do things right 👏🏼"

@annatjiereynolds noted:

"Responsible parents and teachers. Plays an important role. Also in fundraising."

@grantwatson13 joked:

"😂 public at R5,600....."

@jenniingeorgia reacted:

"R5,600 a month is considered cheap? 😮😮"

@karincollins12 challenged:

"'Costs *ONLY*' When did R5,600 p/m become 'only'???"

@stokethefiretoday pushed back:

"R5,600 we should not pay. School should be free. We all pay tax to cover education."

More Briefly News stories on schools

• Laerskool Kempton Park paid tribute to runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, identified as the fourth victim in a series of women found dead in Kempton Park.
• Northwood School students in Durban North went viral with their “green lights, Bokke nights” war cry while sending off the Springboks ahead of their 43-28 win over the All Blacks.
• Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School mourned Grade 12 learner Sasasa Zondi, remembered for her leadership, music, sport and kindness.

Source: Briefly News