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
- Tuition 2025: ± R65 000
- Boarding: ± R90 000 en.wikipedia.org
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!
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6 | Hoërskool Waterkloof – Pretoria
Public • Co‑ed • Day & Boarding
- Tuition 2025: R48 860 klofies.co.za
- Bragging rights: Claims a near‑perfect matric pass rate for 30 straight years and averages 2+ distinctions per learner. en.wikipedia.orgbusinesstech.co.za
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
- Tuition 2025: ~ R50 000 (fees set by SGB; varies by grade) schoolclick.co.za
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)
| School | Day Tuition (2 ×) | Add weekly boarding (if offered) |
|---|---|---|
| St John’s | R441 656 | + R254 152 |
| Roedean | R437 754 | enquire |
| Parktown Boys | R130 000 | + R50 000 |
| St Benedict’s | R348 228 | + R240 200 |
| KES | R149 200 | + R159 800 |
| Waterkloof | R97 720 | n/a |
| St Mary’s | ≈ R327 670 | enquire |
| St Stithians | R373 230 | + R274 040 |
| Pretoria Boys | ≈ R153 800 | + R91 800 |
| Barnato Park | ≈ R100 000 | n/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)
| School | City | Typical Day | After‑hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| St John’s | Houghton, JHB | 07:30–15:00 | Activities to 18:00 |
| Roedean | Parktown, JHB | 07:30–14:45 | Clubs to 17:00 |
| Parktown Boys | Parktown, JHB | 07:30–14:00 | Sports until 17:30 |
| St Benedict’s | Bedfordview | 07:30–14:30 | Study hall 18:30 (boarders) |
| KES | Houghton, JHB | 07:30–14:30 | Evening prep 19:00 (boarders) |
| Waterkloof | Erasmuskloof, PTA | 07:15–14:15 | Sport & arts 17:00 |
| St Mary’s | Waverley, JHB | 07:30–14:30 | Boarding prep 19:30 |
| St Stithians | Lyme Park, Sandton | 07:40–14:20 | Clubs 18:00 |
| Pretoria Boys | Brooklyn, PTA | 07:40–14:15 | Prep 19:00 (boarders) |
| Barnato Park | Berea, JHB | 07:45–14:30 | Extra 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!
