Cape Town, as one of South Africa’s three capital cities, is renowned for its industry centers, thriving seaport, and tourism scene. Not surprisingly, the town’s educational sector has an enviable collection of some of the best high schools in Cape Town, with South African, Afrikaans, French, British and American curricula on the offer.
Apart from their conducive learning environments, these private and public high schools also have boarding facilities, extracurricular activities in sports, music, and arts, and scholarship opportunities to give their students the extra edge to stand out above others.
With the numerous options available in Cape Town, choosing the right High School for your kids and guardians might be a hassle, but not to worry, we have made the job easy for you. We have compiled a list of 20 Best High Schools in Cape Town and have explored other details like how they operate, the stars they have produced, recognitions they have received, and infrastructures that make them one of the best in Cape Town.
List of The Best High Schools in Cape Town
High Schools in Southern Suburbs Cape Town
- Bishops Diocesan College, Rondebosch
- Rondebosch Boys High School
- Rustenburg Girls High School
- Westerford High School
- International School of Cape Town (Woodland Heights Campus)
High Schools in Northern Suburbs Cape Town
- Fairmont High School
- Hoërskool D.F. Malan
- The Settlers High School
- Hoërskool Durbanville
Best Private High Schools in Cape Town
- The American International School of Cape Town
- Cape Town French International School [Lycée Français du Cap]
- St. Cyprian School, Cape Town
Best Public High Schools in Cape Town
- South African College High School (SACS)
- Wynberg Boys’ High School
- Wynberg Girls’ High School
- Trafalgar High School
- Bergvliet High School (BHS)
- Gardens Commercial High School
Best High Schools in Claremont Cape Town
- Claremont High School
- Herschel Girls School, Claremont
Top High Schools in Southern Suburbs of Cape Town
1. Bishops Diocesan College, Rondebosch
- Year Founded: 1849
- Founder: The Rt Revd Robert Gray, Bishop of Cape Town
- Location (Address):Â 65 Campground Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Males
- Curriculum: Grade 8 – 12 National Senior Certificate (IEB curriculum)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: College.bishops.org.za
Bishops Diocesan College, Rondebosch is one of the top schools in South Africa, known for its academic prowess. It has consistently ranked within the top 10 schools in South Africa for Matric, with the 2014 matrics achieving a 100% pass rate.
The sporting activities offered at Bishop’s include; athletic, basketball, chess, cricket, cross country, cycling, golf, hockey, mountain biking, rowing, rugby, soccer, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and water polo.
Sporting facilities include 8 tennis courts, 25m 8-lane swimming pool, water polo pool, 8 cricket fields, 9 rugby fields, AstroTurf, 2 hockey fields, rowing, sailing, and canoeing facilities, basketball court, cross country track, mountain biking track, 5 squash courts, fitness center, and a library.
Bishops is also one of only four schools to offer the annual Rhodes scholarship, which gives an ex-student the chance to attend the University of Oxford. The school has produced some of the brightest and most famous: Raymond Ackerman (founder of Pick n Pay), Ian Donald, Mark Shuttleworth, Nizaam Carr, and Richard Cock, among others.
2. Rondebosch Boys High School
- Year Founded: 1897
- Founder: Reverend Benard PJ Marchand
- Location (Address): Canigou Ave, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Male
- Curriculum: Grade 10 – 12 National Senior Certificate (IEB curriculum)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: Rondeboschsch.com
Rondebosch Boys High School is among the topmost academic schools in South Africa and also one of the oldest schools. The school’s academic performance could be seen in its excellent National Senior Certificate examination results.
Rondebosch Boys High School is also known for pulling its weight in sports with sports options for students, including athletics, basketball, chess, cricket, rowing, swimming, tennis, water polo, winter sport, chess, cross country, football, golf, hockey, rugby, squash, and table tennis.
Rondebosch Boys High School has many clubs, and societies learners could join to have a sense of belonging. such as Business Society, Culinary Society, Cultural Society, Debating Society, Jewish Society, Muslim Students Association, Photographic Society, etc.
Some famous graduates of Rondebosch Boys’ High School include cartoonist Zapiro, politician Ryan Coetzee, cricket player Gary Kirsten, Allan McLeod Cormack, and Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology and Medicine Allan M. Cormack.
3. Rustenburg Girls High School
- Year Founded: 1894
- Founder: Reverend Benard PJ Marchand
- Location (Address): 44 Campground Rd, Rosebank, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Female
- Curriculum: Grade 8 & 9; General Education and Training Phase (GET), Grade 10 – 12; Further Education and Training Phase (FET)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: rghs.org.za
Rustenburg Girls High School is ranked highly among the top ten schools in the Western Cape. Aside from students’ academic achievements, its focus is on developing the spirit of leadership among her girls, encouraging technology and innovation in and outside the classroom.
The school program includes extramural activities, tours, outings or activities related to the academic program, leadership-related activities, Dialogue Days, guest speakers and related workshops, provision of iPad devices to learners, etc.
Rustenburg Girls High School has nine tennis/netball courts, a swimming pool, two hockey/cricket fields, and an Astroturf playing field. The girls can participate in sports activities, including cricket, cross-country, hockey, indoor hockey, netball, running, football, squash, swimming, tennis, touch rugby, and water polo.
The school music department features an orchestra, choir, chamber choir, jazz band, wind band, string quartet, vocal quartet, string ensemble, and savuyisa (marimba band) and they often take part in the Cape Town and Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfods and collaborate with Rondebosch Boys’ and SACS High School to showcase choral works.
4. Westerford High School
- Year Founded: 1953
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): 220 Main Rd cnr Main and Mount Road Entrance in, Mount Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate (IEB)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: westford.co.za
Westerford High School is one of the best co-educational high schools in Cape Town. This pupil-centered school prides itself on its balanced, strong academic curriculum, compulsory sports program, and cultural life. Its motto “Nil Nisi Optimum” and “Nothing but the best” reflect the goal of the school in providing a holistic educational value to its learners.
Culture and service is an integral part of Westerford’s school life, with 50 clubs and societies covering aspects of religion, language, politics, activism, special interest, hobbies, crafts, and various service societies. The Westerford High School’s music society encompasses various genres, including jazz and rock.
Students are encouraged to enter for external practical and theory examinations such as those offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, UNISA, and Trinity Guildhall. Sports is also part of the school program, with choices in basketball, cricket, indoor hockey, road running, tennis, water polo, cross country, hockey, netball, rugby, soccer, and squash.
5. International School of Cape Town (Woodland Heights Campus)
- Year Founded: 1998
- Founder: N/A
- Location (Address):Â Edinburgh Close Wynberg 7806, Cape Town, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: British curriculum (Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Levels)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: ISCT.co.za
Though relatively young compared to other renowned high schools in Cape Town, the International School of Cape Town (ISCT) has made a name for itself as one of the schools to beat when talking of quality roboust education for high scholars. The school works with a UK-based curriculum, offering a British-style education to local and international students. Of course, there is also an allowance for local content.
As part of its extracurricular activity (ECA), ISCT encourages participation in sports, with the high Schoolers committing to two afternoons per week of sports activity. Parent involvement is also an integral part of the school program, with parents participating in coffee mornings, parent dinners, and the annual ISCT Founders’ Day fair. There is also a Bursary Trust Fund for underprivileged students to study at ISCT.
High Schools in Northern Suburbs Cape Town
6. Fairmont High School
- Year Founded: 1977
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Medway Cres, Durbell, Cape Town, 7550, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: fairmont.co.za
Fairmont High School is one of the renowned co-ed high schools in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. With an average class size of 25, the teacher-to-student ratio will undoubtedly ensure greater involvement of both parties in the educational process.
Aside from academics, students also need outlets to engage in other social interactions and develop their talents. At Fairmont High School, students can do this by actively engaging in sports like athletics, basketball, cricket, indoor hockey, tennis, swimming, water polo, chess, cross country, hockey, netball, rugby, soccer, table tennis, equestrian, squash, etc.
Clubs and societies are also a big part of school life activities, and there a many to choose from; Art Club, The Dance Society (TDS), Debating Society/Public Speaking, Drama Society, E-sport Society, Fairmont Choir, Fashion Society, First Aid Society, Hospitality Society, Interact Society, Marimba Band, Media Appreciation, Photography Service, Orchestra, SCA (Student Christian Association), Science Club, etc.
7. Hoërskool D.F. Malan
- Year Founded: 1951
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Frans Conradie Dr, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: dfmalan.com
Hoërskool D.F. Malan is another academically sound high school in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. Named after D.F Malan, the apartheid prime minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954, Hoërskool D.F. Malan might soon become known as DF Akademie in a bid to disconnect from the former politician.
Another unique feature of the school is that it is an Afrikaans medium high school. However, it has been included more than once in ‘The Cambridge University Student Guide to Excellence, a selection of 100 top schools worldwide.’ Students enjoy a wide array of sporting activities: rugby, field hockey, netball, cross country, chess, debate, mountain biking, and surprisingly EA Sports FIFA.
DF Malan is also notable for producing several famous musicians such as Pierre Greeff and Hunter Kennedy, Loki Rothman, Emma de Goede, and Gerrit “Gerry” Matthee of EMERGER. Other alumni include Werner Greeff, former Springbok rugby player; Eduard Greyling, ballet dancer; and actors Leigh Wakeford, Albert Maritz, and 7de Laan duo Chris Vorster and Corné Crous.
8. The Settlers High School
- Year Founded: 1965
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Settlers St, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 13 to 18
- Website: settlers.org.za
The Settlers High School is another brilliant high school for students seeking to excel in their academic pursuits in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. The academic prowess of The Settlers High School has seen it acknowledged as a leading school in the Allan Gray Circle of Excellence. As part of efforts to nurture a balanced educational process, physical fitness has become a vital part of school life in The Settlers High School.
They have sporting facilities such as 3 cricket pitches, 7 cricket nets, 6 tennis courts, 11 netball courts, 2 rugby fields, 1 long-jump pit, 3 softball fields, 1 astroturf, 1 grass hockey field, 5 basketball courts, 1 swimming pool and a multi-purpose indoor sports hall for table-tennis, basketball, and netball. Therefore, students must, as a rule, be engaged in one summer sport and one winter sport.
Learners are also expected to join at least one society at the school. Societies such as Anime Society, Arise (Christian Union), Art Club, BUA Poetry, Choir, Culinary Society, Dance Society, Debating Afrikaans, Debating English, DIY Society, iTeam, Jazz Band, Maths Society, Muslim Society, Orchestra, Press Club and many more are all available for them.
9. Hoërskool Durbanville
- Year Founded: 1827
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Langenhoven St, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 13 to 18
- Website: durbanvillehs.co.za
Hoërskool Durbanville is another Afrikaans medium co-ed high school in the northern suburb of Cape Town, and it is also the second oldest school in the whole of South Africa. At Hoërskool Durbanville, sports, academics, and culture are the watchwords that guide student activities.
Students are prepared for tertiary education while keeping their body and spirit in top-notch shape with varied extracurricular activities. Sporting activities include options such as hockey, rugby, netball, cricket, athletics, chess, and many more. As for cultural activities, students may be part of the choir, or music groups, participate in art or join the drama team, among other options.
Some notable alumni of Hoërskool Durbanville include Amore Bekker, radio presenter; Jack Parow, rapper; Angus Cleophas, rugby player; Zanne Stapelberg, opera singer; Johnny Trytsman, rugby player and Dr. Marthinus Gerhardus Botes.
Best Private High Schools in Cape Town
10. The American International School of Cape Town
- Year Founded: 1997
- Location (Address): 42 Soetvlei Ave, Sweet Valley, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: USA credit-based system with an ACS WASC-accredited USA high school diploma; Advanced Placement (AP) SAT
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: aisct.org
The American International School of Cape Town (AISCT) is one of the best private high schools in Cape Town. The student and teacher population of this school are from all over the world. The school has an average class size of 16 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, and it follows the USA curriculum, offering College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Graduates receive a U.S. High School Diploma, and they follow the northern hemisphere calendar. The school year begins in August and ends in June. Community service, participation in innovation terms, and the successful completion of senior projects are all criteria for graduating from AISCT.
Sports is also part of student’s school life, with activities like soccer, basketball, cross country, and swimming taking place throughout the school year. Extracurricular programs at AISCT include competitive sports, art programs, social justice, technology, yearbook, and leadership activities such as Model United Nations (MUN). In addition, private activities such as music, drama, dance, and Ubuntu Soccer also are available.
11. Cape Town French International School [ Lycée Français du Cap]
- Year Founded: 1985
- Founder: French citizens resident in Cape Town
- Location (Address): 101, Hope Street – Gardens 8001 Cape Town South Africa
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: French Baccalaureate Diploma. Grade 9, National Diploma of Brevet (DNB) and Cambridge English Certificate
- Age range: 11 to 18
- Website: lyceeducap.org.za
The Cape Town French School or École française du Cap is a French international school in Cape Town approved by the French Ministry of Education and Youth. The school provides bilingual education, 70% French and 30% English and also issues internationally recognized certificates giving learners access to the best universities and colleges in the world upon graduating.
Despite its French origins, a significant percentage of its student population is not French. Essentially, the school is a perfect multicultural environment, with more than 30 nationalities, for students to encounter diverse cultures and nurture a global worldview.
The Cape Town French School offers 20 sports and artistic activities such as art, basketball, chess, ballet, piano, tennis, boxing, soccer, karate, drama, modern dance, tap dance, yoga, hip hop, etc., to help students nurture their creative and sports talent.
12. St. Cyprian School, Cape Town
- Year Founded: 1871
- Founder: Rt Revd Robert Gray (bishop of Cape Town)
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8 & 9, General Education and Training (GET) and grades 10-12, Further Education and Training (FET). At the end of Grade 12, IEB National Senior Certificate and Cambridge-exit A level certification.
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: stcyprians.co.zaÂ
St. Cyprian’s School is another excellent private school for girls in Cape Town. Aside from its excellent academic records, St. Cyprian’s School is also renowned for its charity work and community partnership programs that encourage learners to give back to the community.
Sporting activities for the girls include; athletics, basketball, futsal, indoor hockey, swimming, tennis, water polo, cross country, hockey, netball, and soccer. The girls are also encouraged to engage in artistic pursuits through the school’s music, drama, and visual arts programs.
Clubs available for the girls include Astronomy Club, Chess, Christian Union, Debating, Model United Nations (MUN), Pulse (Academic Speakers), and many more. St Cyprian’s School is also one of a handful of partner schools eligible for the Diocesan College Rhodes Scholarship.
Best Public High Schools in Cape Town
13. South African College High School (SACS)
- Year Founded: 1829
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Newlands Ave, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Male
- Curriculum: Grades 8 – 9, General Education and Training (GET) and grades 10-12, Further Education and Training (FET). Grade 12, IEB National Senior Certificate, and Cambridge GCE “As” and “A” levels.
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: sacshigh.org.zaÂ
SACS is the oldest high school in South Africa, and this has no doubt contributed to the wealth of knowledge and experience that has kept the school running to this day. The academic exploits of learners and sports and cultural growth are a core part of SACS’s wholesome education process.
Sporting facilities in SACS include 5 rugby fields, 2 basketball courts, 2 Swimming pools (one heated), a large Gym, 3 cricket fields, 10 cricket nets, 2 squash courts, and 5 tennis courts. Students can participate in various sports activities such as cricket, swimming, water polo, rowing, tennis, basketball, athletics, mountain biking, sailing, main winter sports, rugby union, hockey, cross-country, squash, mountain biking, bodyboarding, golf, and surfing.
South African College is also one of four schools in Cape Town where the Rhodes Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating student to study at the University of Oxford. Some notable alumni of SACS are Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, former Deputy Prime Minister of South Africa; Sebastien Rousseau, olympian swimmer for South Africa and South African record holder; Eric Lloyd Williams, journalist and World War II correspondent.
14. Wynberg Boys’ High School
- Year Founded: 1841
- Founder: John McNaughton
- Location (Address):Â Lovers Walk, Wynberg, Cape Town, 7800, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Male
- Curriculum: Grades 8 – 9 General Education and Training (GET) and grades 10 -12 Further Education and Training (FET)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: wbhs.org.zaÂ
Wynberg Boys’ High School is one of the best public schools in Cape Town, and it is the second oldest school in South Africa. The school is equipped with some of the best facilities such as state-of-the-art classrooms, fully equipped science laboratories, two state-of-the-art computer centers, a boarding house for 110 students, a 1000-seater Hall, a 160-seater auditorium and music center, outdoor amphitheater, museum, staff accommodation, a library, and media center and various technology rooms.
Sporting facilities are also top-notch. They include a fully equipped gymnasium, a heated swimming pool, two hockey Astros, glass-backed squash courts, six tennis courts, two basketball courts, four rugby fields, and the WBHS cricket field. These sporting facilities are, of course, put to great use, as students participate in various sports activities like athletics, cross country, golf, basketball, soccer, swimming, rugby, squash, tennis, cricket, hockey, and water polo.
The Wynberg CREATE program also allows the boys to sign up for short courses in computer game design, cooking, personal finance, music for non-musicians, carpentry, etc. Some illustrious alumni of the school are Jacques Kallis, a South African cricketer, and Wayne Denne, a South African Hockey Team.
Others are Gary Gold, current head coach at Worcester Warriors; Vic Clapham, founder of the Comrades Marathon; Hendrik Verwoerd, former prime minister of South Africa; Andrew Feinstein, South African politician and Michael Gelfand, Professor of tropical medicine.
15. Wynberg Girls’ High School
- Year Founded: 1884
- Founder: The Kerkraad of the Dutch Reformed Church in 1884
- Location (Address): Aliwal Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town, 7800, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: wynghs.co.zaÂ
Wynberg Girls’ High School is one of the oldest all-girls schools in South Africa and also one of the best high schools for girls in Cape Town. School life at Wynberg Girls focuses on these core areas; academics, sport, service, and culture. The school syllabus is also run alongside the Cambridge AS Levels course for English and History.
The facilities in the school include a library, 2 AstroTurfs, diving and swimming pools, hockey fields, cricket nets and pitches, netball fields, squash and tennis courts, ballet Hall, gym, 3 computer labs, music block, science labs, drama studio, art studio, art gallery, technology room and much more. Various team and social sports are available for the girls to make their choices; hockey, indoor hockey, netball, tennis, badminton, cross country, athletics, swimming, diving, water polo, chess, synchronized swimming, aerobics, and sailing.
Students also get to participate in regional events such as the Western Cape Arts Festival and Eisteddfods. There is also the Christian union of the school, Capstone, and the Muslim Students’ Association to cater to the spiritual need of the girls. Some notable graduates of Wynberg Girls’ High school include Natalie Du Toit, swimmer; Ingrid Jonker, poet; Jean Doyle, sculptor; Kirstin Lewis, archer and Ina Paarman.
16. Trafalgar High School
- Year Founded: 1912
- Founder: Abdullah Abdurahman
- Location (Address): 35 Kuyper St, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, 7925, South
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: trafalgarhighschool.co.za
Trafalgar High School was the first school built in Cape Town for colored and black students, and as the oldest school for people of color in South Africa, it still maintains its relevance by providing superior education and fostering students’ responsibility to their community. The school’s motto ‘Per Angusta, Ad Augusta’ (Through Difficulties to Success) denotes its historical struggles against apartheid, which has since transcended the value the school wishes to cultivate in her students.
Students are encouraged to build social skills, team spirit, and leadership through sporting and club activities such as athletics, girls touch rugby, choir, interaction, musicals, cultural extravaganza, So You Think You Can Read, Future Ready Breakfast, cultural evenings, consumer practicals, workshops and excursions, Saturday intervention classes, etc.
Some notable alumni of the school include Zainunnisa Abdurahman “Cissie” Gool, anti-apartheid political leader; Judge Siraj Desai; Dullah Omar, politician and minister of justice; Richard Rive, author and Reggie September, trade unionist and Member of Parliament.
17. Bergvliet High School (BHS)
- Year Founded: 1957
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Firgrove Way, Bergvliet, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8–12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: bhs.org.za
Bergvliet High School is renowned for its focus on diversity and giving its students a well-rounded education that ensures they thrive in such a diverse South African society. Its multi-racial setup ensures that students encounter people from diverse racial and religious backgrounds and through communication and interaction in a healthy environment, honing their social skills while still maintaining excellence in academics.
Competitive sport, community outreach, and varied cultural programs are all part of the school programs to encourage student engagement and wholesome student life. Sports options for students include; netball, badminton, indoor hockey, athletics, basketball, rugby, chess, soccer, squash, cricket, cross country, swimming, golf, tennis, and hockey.
Some interesting graduates of Bergvliet High include; Adrian Dunbar; software engineer and international cricketer; Peter Martens, Doctor of music; Jacqui Colley, award-winning visual artist and designer; Gareth Price, entrepreneur, innovator, accountant, mentor, and triathlete, and many more.
18. Gardens Commercial High School
- Year Founded: 1961
- Founder: Government
- Location (Address): Paddock Ave, CBD, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Not
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grades 8 – 9 General Education and Training (GET) and grades 10 -12 Further Education and Training (FET)
- Age range: 14 to 18 (22)
- Website: gardenshigh.co.za
Gardens Commercial High School was specially established as a Business, Commerce, and Management (BCM) Focus School, focusing on subjects like accounting, business studies, economics, and computer applications technology. Students are encouraged to cultivate entrepreneurial skills as well as a value-oriented approach to life in general.
Students are to participate in at least one extramural activity throughout the year, with activities in areas such as argus quiz, athletics, beauty therapy, book club, bowls, chess, dancing, drama, e-gaming, fitness club, interact, inter-faith, karate, journaling, netball, soccer, touch rugby and website committee. Students are also encouraged to participate in activities like community gardening, coding programs, ladies’ self-defense classes, and much more.
Best High Schools in Claremont Cape Town
19. Claremont High School
- Year Founded: 2011
- Founder: The Western Cape Education Department (WCED)
- Location (Address): 7 Molteno Rd, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa
- Gender: Male and Female
- Curriculum: Grade 8 – 12 National Senior Certificate
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: claremonthigh.co.za
Claremont High School is one of the newest schools in Claremont and one outstanding feature of this co-ed school is that it was created by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) primarily to focus on maths and science as well as provide opportunities for a diverse array of its student population.
To this end, Claremont High School’s subject focus ensures the graduates from the schools can move on to tertiary institutions based on their performance in mathematics and science. Not to worry, students aren’t just solving maths problems or running experiments all day, they still have an active school life.
They participate in sports activities such as country, netball, cricket, basketball, swimming, soccer, chess, Jujitsu, flair skipping, girls’ touch rugby, rugby, and ultimate frisbee. They are also not left out of cultural activities like clubs and societies like the Christian Union, IsiXhosa for beginners, choir, drama, debating, interaction, art, and design.
Gumboot dancing and Zumba are there to keep them grounded. Claremont High School is also big on camping and excursions. There is an annual camping activity for different grades and also girls’ and boys’ special camping activities.
20. Herschel Girls School, Claremont
- Year Founded: 1922
- Founder: The English Church Schools Association
- Location (Address): 21 Herschel Rd, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa
- Boarding or Not: Boarding
- Gender: Female
- Curriculum: Grade 10 -12 National Senior Certificate (NSC)
- Age range: 14 to 18
- Website: herschel.org.za
Herschel Girls School is another great school you will find in Claremont, and the school is affiliated with the Anglican church. Described as “one of the country’s best-known schools for girls”, Herschel Girls School is known for its commendable academic performances at the National Senior Certificate exams and for providing her girls with holistic and empowering education geared at producing future global leaders.
Aside from academic pursuits, the girls are encouraged to participate in sports, and cultural activities, chiefly music, art, and drama. In sports, there are activities like swimming, water polo, team tennis, squad tennis, development tennis, hockey, netball, and cross country. Herschel also offers state-of-the-art ICT facilities that enable the students to maximize their learning experience and gain vital computing skills.
Herschel Girls School also has its share of illustrious alumni: Alide Dasnois, journalist and newspaper editor; Margaret Elsworth, founder of the African Scholars’ Fund and the African Scholars’ Fund UK; Sue MacGregor, BBC Radio 4 broadcaster; Diana E. H. Russell, feminist scholar, and activist; Pauline Vogelpoel, arts administrator and Zoe Beyers, BBC Philharmonic concertmaster.
