Finding The Right Private School In Joburg

by Heidi Olivier

Education is one of the most powerful tools you can give your children. After all, they're the next generation of leaders, professionals, and critical thinkers. With 1st-class academic programmes and boundless extramural activities, private schools hold your child’s future within their walls. Where do you even begin when it's time to weigh up your options? How can you be sure you're making the right choice?

Private schooling is expensive, after all, so it's important to feel that those school feels are a worthwhile investment. Joburg has some of the best private schools in the country, so today, we're going to highlight a few with excellent reviews, impeccable facilities, and high success rates.

Note: Many of these schools offer financial assistance programs and scholarships. If you're on a tighter budget, there are still pathways to giving your child access to a world-class private education. If you're looking for excellent public schools as an alternative, you'll find our list here.

Pre-Primary Schools

Traditional vs. Montessori: The Difference

In Montessori schools, children are active learners and given the greatest possible freedom in the learning process itself. There are no rigid, pre-established outcomes. Traditional schools often see children as needing more direct instruction. While traditional schooling tends to be teacher‑centred, at Montessori schools, children learn through self-paced, multi-sensory learning. Practical life skills are taught to promote independence and creativity.

For more information and locations, go to: Gauteng Johannesburg – South African Montessori Association

Dibber International Preschools

Dibber has over 600 Early Childhood Development Centres globally, 12 of which are right here in Joburg. Dibber’s teaching is guided by the Norwegian curriculum, widely recognised as one of the most respected and progressive in the world and consistently ranks at the top internationally. Music, nature, movement, and technology are all used to develop the child’s learning.

The school, known for its safe, stimulating and playful environment, offers a three-prong approach to education:

Play-based Approach: Children are naturally curious about the world around them. This approach allows them the freedom to explore and learn through play.Interactive Approach: Through interactive play, they learn to express themselves appropriately. They learn to communicate, develop social skills and shape their own individuality.Holistic Approach: Children learn at their own pace, which encourages commitment to tasks and confidence in their own abilities.For more information and locations, go to: Dibber International Preschools - South Africa

Little Ashford

Little Ashford has nine preschools throughout Joburg. Based on the internationally acclaimed Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, their specialised approach focuses on each child’s individuality.

The preschools concentrate on developing children academically, emotionally, and socially in small groups. Learning goes beyond the classroom; there are storytelling corners, mud kitchens (sorry, moms!) and playgrounds.

For more information and locations, go to: https://www.littleashford.co.za/

Primary Schools

Assumption Convent School

Rooted in Catholic values, this all-girls school is considered one of the best primary schools in Joburg. Academic excellence plays a big part in preparing the girls for high school and beyond. Classes are small, ensuring personalised attention.Because it's an all-girls school, the sports programme allows the girls to lead and take risks without feeling self-conscious.

Other extramural activities include choir, marimba band, drama, mini council, and public speaking. There's also debating, chess, djembe drumming, and Portuguese.

The school includes pre-primary, primary, and high school.

For more information: Assumption Convent - Girls Private Schools Johannesburg South Africa

Orban School

This award-winning school, nestled in the Melville Koppies, offers affordable education to its learners. They've got an excellent academic record based on the STEAM model (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Orban also incorporates formal art, drama, dance, and music lessons as part of their curriculum.

All Grade 7 learners are enrolled in Toastmasters as part of the English curriculum, and ~15 different mother tongues are spoken at the school. If you're looking for diversity, you'll find it here. Sports on offer include netball, cricket, soccer, golf, hockey, cross country, athletics, and tennis.

The school offers pre-primary and primary education.For more information: Orban School

Crawford International: Bedfordview

Crawford International Preparatory Schools offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), as well as the high school equivalent. Local, regional, and global perspectives are rooted within all teaching and learning processes.

Crawford offers this enriched curriculum by using technology to enhance the learning experience. They offer a variety of different subjects and a focus on the arts. Apart from sport, the school also offers cultural and additional academic activities such as conversational Italian, Portuguese and isiZulu, Gym Kids, robotics, karate, and art, to name but a few.Crawford International offers pre-primary, primary and high school.For more information: Private Schools In Bedfordview | Top Schools In Bedfordview | Crawford

High Schools

HeronBridge College

HeronBridge Curro Select School offers a rigorous academic program and extramural activities to help students develop both academically and personally.

The focus is on social and emotional learning (SEL) for the development of the ‘whole child’. The curriculum in Grade 12 allows the students to explore more specialised interests as they prepare for the future.

Apart from the compulsory subjects, students have the following options:

Along with a variety of sports such as mountain biking and golf, to name but a few, the school also offers cultural activities such as photo society, chess, debating, first aid, and theatre.

The school offers pre-primary, primary and high school.

For more information: HeronBridge College | Curro Select Private School in Fourways

Trinityhouse

Trinityhouse has five schools across South Africa, all of which place a high value on academic excellence. Students choose academic pathways that prepare them for the IEB examinations, with teachers who go the extra mile to equip them for further study and eventual success in the workplace.

Smart technology is used in the classrooms to prepare the students for the digital advancements that they will encounter. Participating in at least one extramural activity is compulsory; teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills are considered just as important as academic performance.

The school offers pre-primary, primary and high school.

For more information: Private Christian Schools In Gauteng | School Of Excellence

Redhill School

Redhill is an international school and one of the few schools in South Africa where students can choose to graduate with either an Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualification or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.

This school divides the ‘high school’ into Middle School (Grades 6 to 9) and Senior School (Grades 10 to 12). Redhill also places great emphasis on being a well-rounded scholar; the arts, music, and cultural programmes have a stellar reputation.

Alongside an outstanding academic programme, you'll also find top-notch sports facilities. The High-Performance Aquatic Centre has a state-of-the-art 25m x 25m 10-lane floodlit swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, showers and change-rooms, a yoga studio, and much more.

The school offers primary and high school education.

For more information: Redhill School

**Choosing The Best Private School For YOUR Child**

Although Joburg has some of the top private schools in the country, choosing the right one for your child can be a bit daunting. Here are a couple of tips to help you secure the very best education for your child’s unique needs and interests.

Pre-Primary School

-Is access to the school monitored? Who's allowed on the premises?-Are the children watched at all times?-What’s the pickup and drop-off protocol?-Do the teachers have the approved and recognised education?-What’s the teacher-child ratio like?

-What’s in place for medical emergencies?-What’s the school philosophy? Look at curriculum, teaching methods, education outcomes, and goals.-Am I happy with the cost, location, and the school's overarching reputation?

Primary School

-What’s the teacher-learner ratio?-What’s the curriculum? Is it CAPS, IB PYP, Montessori-type etc?-What are the subjects on offer?-What are the extramural activities? This includes sport, culture or art.

-What’s the school's teaching philosophy? Play-based, technology-based, group-based, individual-based, etc.-What are the goals and outcomes upon completion of primary school?

High School

-What’s the teacher-student ratio?-What optional subjects do they offer? Do they align with my child’s interests? Do they help with entry into tertiary institutions?-What are the extramural activities? This includes sport, culture or art.

-What’s the school's teaching philosophy? Technology-based, group-based or individual-based, etc.-What support systems are there in place to help students?-Does the curriculum support entry into my desired kind of tertiary institution?

Choosing the right private school is difficult. This isn't a decision to make lightly; there’s so much that needs to be considered before we send our children on their way to achieve greatness, and it can certainly feel overwhelming. Parents tend to know their children better than anybody else and have their best interests at heart, so it's only natural that you might find yourself scrolling through lists for hours as you evaluate seemingly endless pages of options.

Do your research, but also remember to trust your gut. Go with a school that makes you proud to be a member; make a decision that suits your child’s interests and goals for the future. With your help, they'll be on the path to becoming great leaders, professionals, and critical thinkers.