Johannesburg has a wide varieties of neighbourhoods and schools, and where you choose to live can influence on where you choose to send your children to school, or vice versa. Here is an overview of the main schools in the area's expats tend to live. (Or click here to read more of the different neighbourhoods!)

Many expats choose to live in the more recently developed northern suburbs like Fourways, Dainfern, Lonehill, as this is typically where many of the international schools are. Its convenient and comfortable. However, you can also have an amazing, life changing experience living outside of the expat bubble in other areas of Johannesburg.

But, let’s focus on the school details you’ll consider. There are three main types of schools in Johannesburg:

International
Private
Government

If you are moving country every few years, it may help to keep curriculum consistent thus International school maybe your preferred option. However International Schools have higher staff and community turnover and often a high price tag. You may want to look at a local South African School where your child will be exposed to South African sporting and cultural activities, and can develop longer term friendship groups.

Set up a meeting and go to the school, talk to them and get a feel for it. Start the research process early, as spaces fill up quickly and wait lists are very common!

About the South African Education System

Academic Year: January to December (If born Nov/Dec, its common for children to be held back a year.) Private Schools run on a 3 term system, and Government schools mainly 4 term system. All schools have a long summer holiday over December / January.

Times: 7:30am to 2:30pm with sports and other activities in the afternoon

Playgroup/Nursery: 18 months - 3 years

Pre School or Pre Primary: (3 - 6 years)

Grade 000 = 3 turning 4
Grade 00 = 4 turning 5
Grade 0 (also known as Grade R) = 5 turning 6

Primary school: (6 - 13 years)

Grades 1 to 7
Grade 1 = 6 turning 7
Grade 7 = 12 turning 13

High School: (13 - 18 years)

Grades 8 to 12
Grade 8 = 13 turning 14
Grade 12= 17 turning 18. Grade 12 often referred to as Matric (matriculation).
You need a Matric Exemption to attend a South African university.

Selection of Schools by Age & Location

Here are a few popular choices for schools around the city. For reviews of the different neighborhoods, read Best Places to Live in Johannesburg. Need a review of a school or feedback? Join our Moving to South Africa Facebook Group!

Midrand Area (Waterfall, Kyalami, Centurion)
American International School of Johannesburg. - International School, Co-Ed, 3 - 18 yrs
Kyalami Prep - Co Ed, Private, 18 months - 13 yrs
Beaulieu - Co Ed, Private, 3 -18 yrs
Pinnacle College - Co Ed, Private, 2 - 18 yrs, Day & Boarding
Redham Schools - Co Ed, Private, 18 months - 18 yrs & Boarding
Cornwall Hill - Co Ed, Private, 3 - 18yrs, Day & Boarding

Fourways/Dainfern
Mi Kinder Educational Centre - Fourways
French Pre School - Fourways
Dainfern College - Co Ed, Private, 5 - 18yrs, Christian
Crawford - Co Ed, Private, 3 - 18yrs
St Peters - Private, Co Ed for college 13 - 18yrs, Girls and Boys schools for prep and primary, 5yr - 13yrs, Anglican
British International School - International School, Co Ed, 4- 18yrs
Fourways High School - Government, Co Ed, 13 - 18yrs
Heron Bridge - Private, Co Ed, 3 - 18yrs, Christian

Lonehill
Crawford - Co Ed, Private, 3 - 18yrs
Lonehill Academy - Co Ed, Cambridge Syllabus, 4 - 19yrs

Bryanston
St Stithians - Private, Boys and Girls School on the same campus, 5 - 18yrs, Methodist
Lycee Francais Jules Verne - International, French School, 3yr - 18yrs
Michael Mount Waldorf - Private, Co Ed, 4months - 18yrs
Redhill - Private, Co Ed, 3yr - 18yrs
Brescia House - Private, Girls, 5- 18yrs

Sandton
The Willows - Sandton, 18 months - 6 yrs, Montessori
St David’s - Private, Boys, 5 - 18yrs,
Crawford - Private, Co Ed, 3yrs - 18yrs
Grayston Prep - Private, Co Ed, 5 - 13yrs
Rivonia Primary - Private, 5 - 13yrs, Boys and Girls School

Melrose Arch / Waverly
St Marys Private, Girls, 3 - 18yrs & Boarding, Anglican
Future Nations Private, New Group of Schools focused on project and digital learning. 18 months - 18 years.

The Parks / Rosebank / Westcliff
Small World Playschool and Pre School - Private, Co Ed, 1 - 6yrs
BlueBird - Private, Co Ed, 18 months - 5yrs
Pridwin - Private, Boys, 5 - 13yrs
The Ridge - Private, Boys 5 - 13yrs
St. John’s - Private Boys 5 - 18yrs & Boarding, Anglican
King Edward’s - Government, Boys 5 - 18yrs
St. Katharine's Prep, Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs
Kingsmead - Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs, Anglican
Auckland Park Prep - Private, Girls 5 - 13yrs
Roedean - Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs, Anglican
Parktown Girls School - Government, Girls, 13 - 18yrs
Parkview Primary - Government, 5 - 13yrs, Co Ed
Sacred Heart - Co Ed, 3- 18yrs, Catholic
Hyde Park - Government, Co Ed, 13 - 18yrs
Kiaros - Co Ed, 5- 13yrs, Waldorf Style

Melville
German School - International School, 3 - 18yrs, Co Ed

Bedford View
Crawford Italia Preparatory Private Co Ed, 3 - 18yrs
Holy Rosary School Private, Girls, 3 - 18yrs, Catholic
Saheti School Private, Co Ed, Greek-Orthodox, 3- 18yrs,
St. Andrew's School Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs
St. Benedict's Catholic School - Private, Boys, 5 -18yrs,

Other Religious Schools
Nur-ul-Islam (Lenasia)
King David - Jewish
Del a Salle (Co-ed) / Brescia House (Girls) St Davids (Boys) - Catholic
St Marys / St Johns / Roedean - Anglican (along with many others listed above)

Remedial / Special Schools
Bellavista
Cedarwood
Crossroads
Forest Town
Hope School

Further Links:

Take a look on Jozi Kids for a full listing.

Independent School Association South Africa - http://www.isasa.org/

Alphabetical List of Schools - http://www.saprivateschools.co.za/alphabetical.html

Brilliant blog posts all about the Education system in South Africa written by Joburg Expat, an American who lived in Dainfern. http://www.joburgexpat.com/2016/05/everything-you-need-to-know-about-south.html

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