Primary school is one of the first educational environments children are likely to find themselves and it has a way of molding them into who they become in the future. As a result of how important primary school is to your child’s upbringing and future, you want to be very intentional about the one your child attends. If you live in Durban, you will observe that it is home to so many primary schools which makes choosing one a bit difficult. To help you make a good decision, we have put together a list of the 10 best primary schools in Durban. The fact that a school does not make it to our list does not mean it is not a good school, however, we can only accommodate the 10 of the best primary schools in Durban for this list.
These Are Some Of The Best Primary Schools In Durban
Before enrolling your child into any primary school, there are basic things you should put into consideration, some of these things include:
- Does the school nourish your child’s needs?
- Does the school support your child’s mental growth?
- Will this school improve my child’s social behavior?
The answers to these questions are dependent on the quality of teachers the school has, the type of curriculum, and the facilities that the school has. Aside from the regular subjects most primary schools offer, most good schools now offer basic coding, drama, music, and sport lessons. In compiling our list of best schools in Durban, we have put all of these into consideration.
In no order, here is a detailed list of the 10 best schools in Durban and the basic things you need to know about them.
1. Chelsea Preparatory School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Independent
- Fees Range: R37,200 per year
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: Senior Campus: 30 Chelsea Drive Durban North 4051 | Junior Campus: 139 Northway Durban North 4051
- Contact Number: +27 (031) 581 7660
Chelsea Preparatory School is one of the best schools in Durban North and with the school’s management and organization, you can say that the reason they have made it to this list of best primary schools in Durban is not far-fetched. This school has stable management and a good number of the teachers there have up to 30 years of experience in teaching and tutoring children to become leaders of tomorrow.
To pay close attention to the needs of every child, Chelsea Preparatory School is divided into two campuses; Junior primary and senior primary. Together, these two campuses educate and take care of children enrolled from grade 7 down to reception. Another thing that makes Chelsea prep stand out is the school’s environment. The environment is safe and conducive for learning, as well as playing. Children in this school are taught how to work together to achieve a common goal and culture is not exempted.
2. St James Durban
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Private
- Fees Range: R26,000 to R33,000
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 130 Mathews Meyiwa Road Greyville Durban 4001
- Contact Number: 031 814 7403
St James Durban was established in 2007 by a group of people from a school of philosophy who shared a similar vision with Nelson Mandela. They aimed to provide quality education for less privileged children. Today, St James has become a member of the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA). They currently accommodate 150 students who come from different ethnicity and background.
Pupils are taught subjects like Mathematics, History, Reading & Literature, Geography, Science, Philosophy, Music, Art, Technology, Economics and many more. The first traditional language thought at St James Durban is isiZulu. This is no surprise considering that the school is located in Durban, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal.
Every academic year, pupils in this school write both external and internal examinations to evaluate their academic progress. Quintathlon and Conquesta are the two external examinations and over the years, the school has recorded a 100% pass with their pupils. In 2018, St James Durban joined the eco-schools, and they encourage their children to be eco-friendly. The school has laid out plans for becoming better.
3. Glenwood Preparatory School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Private
- Fees Range: R26,500 per year
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 1 Bath Road, Glenwood, Durban
- Contact Number: [email protected]
Glenwood Preparatory School prides itself in being one of the best primary schools in the whole of KwaZulu-Natal and not just in Durban only. The schools’ curriculum covers everything from academics to sports and even cultural activities. According to the school’s headmaster, the school does everything that it can to see to it that they can fulfill their motor which says ‘The School that Cares’. To make this possible, they have staff members who are wholeheartedly dedicated to the success and growth of pupils.
The management of the school will stop at nothing to see to it that pupils have the best environment to learn. The school has installed a solar system in the senior primary block to generate additional power. It is also an eco-friendly academic institution.
They have also adopted modern technology in their science laboratory to ensure that pupils are not left behind. Another noteworthy thing about Glenwood is that its website is structured in a way that allows parents to shop for their pupil’s uniforms and school stationeries online.
4. Durban Primary High School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Public
- Fees Range: R14,500 to R15,500
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 15 Lindley Place, Umbilo, Durban, 4001
- Contact Number: 031-2051077
Since 1912, Durban Primary High School has been in existence and over the years, they have grown to become one of the most popular and sought-after primary schools in Durban. The school has a vision of providing balanced and quality education that will spur each pupil to become enterprising, self-motivated, and responsible. DPS has over 40 staff in different sections who are dedicated to training its pupils. They also have a library and librarians who organize and monitor the use of books and the library as a whole.
For over 100 years, staff at DPS have trained pupils from grades R to 7 who have grown to become prominent people in society. A good example is Khashveera Chanderjith, a former DPS student who became the first hearing-impaired woman to become a chartered accountant. The school has learning facilities for children with partial hearing abilities.
5. Durban North Primary School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Public
- Fees Range: R25,900 to R29,300
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 22 Sunfield Place 4051 Durban North
- Contact Number: 031 564 5510
Durban North Primary School prides itself in being a small primary school where every child is given detailed attention and properly cared for in a conducive environment. Aside from the general primary school subjects, DNPS employs special teachers who teach Drama, isiZulu, Physical Education, Music, and Sport. Some of the sports facilities in this school include a jungle gym, netball/hockey quad, swimming pool, and soccer, cricket, and volleyball field.
In order to enable the teacher to pay attention to each pupil, classes in DNPS have a maximum number of children it must not exceed. Parents can also visit the Parent-Teacher information session on the official website to start a zoom meeting with their ward’s teacher.
Another thing that makes this school stand out is that it also provides online lessons. The COVID-19 pandemic opened the eyes of the world to see how important it is to leverage the online space and DNPS is doing just that. Their online classes are well organized and lessons are available for students from grades R to 7.
6. Penzance Primary School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Private
- Fees Range: R28,710
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 10 Bartle Road, Durban 4001
- Contact Number: (031) 205 2271/2
Penzance Primary School is one of the best schools in Durban North and Durban as a whole. This school is fully equipped and also boasts of a conducive learning environment, sports equipment, and relevant learning facilities. The school is divided into two sections – the foundation phase academics, as well as the intermediate and senior academics.
The former consist of grades 1, 2, and 3 pupils, and each class has a low ratio of teacher to pupils to ensure that each child is given adequate attention. Also, in every class, there is a teacher in training i.e. teachers who are still undergoing undergraduate studies for a bachelor’s degree in Education. The role of these individuals is to assist in child care. In 2019, Beebots were introduced. Beebots are robots that teach basic coding skills to pupils.
The intermediate and senior academics session comprises grades 4 to 7. The curriculum for these pupils is comprehensive and includes outings and tours. In this section, a termly star assembly is held to award pupils who have shown good manners and are diligent.
On visiting the school’s website, you can’t help but observe the notification that keeps popping out to inform you that you can shop for your children’s uniform online. Penzance Primary School is deserving of being on our list of 10 best primary schools in Durban.
7. Berea Primary School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: N/A
- Fees Range: R16,900
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 20 Bellevue Road, Berea Durban 4001
- Contact Number: 031 210 7568
Berea Primary School is another awesome primary school in Durban. Here, pupils are trained to adapt well to the demands of society. The school is also equipped with teachers who are dedicated to seeing the success and well-being of each pupil under their care. The school’s management ensures that pupils have a conducive learning environment and the management as well as pupils are receiving the benefit of this, seeing that pupils from this school have been making the school proud through their academic performance.
The first year at Berea Primary School is called the ‘foundation phase’ and from grades 1 to 3 have three classes each. Also, these three grades comprise both genders, however, grades 4 to 7 comprise only female pupils. The school also has a media center and a computer room where pupils are free to access. The aim of this is to help the children become research-oriented.
8. Rose Hill Primary School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: N/A
- Fees Range: R12,870 to R14,700 per year
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 225 Buttery Road Durban North 4051
- Contact Number: 031 564 1593
Rose Hill Primary School has its foundation deeply rooted in the Christian religion, as such, if you are a parent who would like your wards to attend a school where Christian values are upheld, the Rose Hill Primary School may be a great option. The aim of the school is to train children into becoming people of value and moral standards in society. The school environment is beautified with green plants to make it conducive for the large number of students it accommodates.
Being one of the best schools in Durban does not necessarily mean that the school must be one of the most expensive schools in that location, however, Rose Hill is not a free school. Its pupils pay a stipulated amount as school fees, however, it is one of the cheapest schools in Durban.
As a result of their low fees, both wards of rich and average earning parents can afford to attend the school. They also organize a ‘grandparent day’ where pupils can come to school with their grandparents.
9. Northlands Primary School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: N/A
- Fees Range: R36,120 to R39,000
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 20 Gleneagles Drive Durban North 4051
- Contact Number: +27 (0)31 564 2369
All of the schools on this list teach pupils about science and technology, but Northlands Primary School has a special interest in this field. The school aims to educate pupils about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to prepare them for jobs that are not yet in existence. This way, the children are fully equipped for what the future of technology has to offer.
Therefore, as a parent, if you observe that your child has a special interest in science from a tender age, Northland Primary School may be a good option. This school is home to children and teachers of mixed cultural heritage and ethnicity. In order to provide a holistic and balanced education, Northland Primary School also gives the same attention they give to STEM to other subjects like arts, drama, and music. And in every academic session, they hold events where their pupils can showcase the skills they have acquired. Cultural and sports activities are also not left out from the school’s curriculum.
Just like most of the primary schools in Durban, the environment of Northlands Primary School is well beautified with green trees and leaves to make it eco-friendly to children and teachers. From the schools’ website, parents can get detailed information about the school fees for each grade and other fees they may need to pay.
10. Star Primary School
- Grades: R to 7
- School Type: Private
- Fees Range: N/A
- Gender: Male and Female
- Address: 20 Kinloch Avenue, Westville North 3630, Durban, South Africa
- Contact Number: 031 2627190
The last (but not in any way, the least) on our list of the 10 best primary schools in Durban is Star Primary School. The school was established in 1998 and for the past two decades, they have been in the business of providing quality education to children in Durban. This school serves as a balance between the South African and Turkey educational curriculum. These days most parents want their children to attend Montessori schools where they can engage in self activities and on-hand learning in a nice environment and Star Primary School is a Montessori school. Aside from regular primary school subjects, they also teach children activities like karate, ballet, pottery, swimming, Abagility Maths Club, kids coding, tennis, netball, soccer, arts, and crafts.
Here Is A Recap Of The 10 Best Primary Schools in Durban
- Chelsea Preparatory School
- St James Durban
- Glenwood Preparatory School
- Durban Primary High School
- Durban North Primary School
- Penzance Primary School
- Berea Primary School
- Rose Hill Primary School
- Northlands Primary School
- Star Primary School
