Top 7 of the most expensive schools in Eastern Cape for 2017

The relaxed former frontier town of Grahamstown is not exactly a place where one would expect to find some of the most expensive schools in South Africa. The three most expensive schools in the Eastern Cape are actually found in the town.

Below is a compilation of some of the seven most expensive schools in Eastern Cape for 2017 using fees sourced from the schools’ websites:

1. St Andrews College, Grahamstown

St Andrew’s College is the 3^rd most expensive school in South Africa in 2017 and the most expensive school in the Eastern Cape.

Founded in 1855 by John Armstrong, the first Bishop of Grahamstown, this independent school now caters for 450 boys from around the world.

Students at St Andrews can enrol as boarding or day scholars.

The boys from St Andrew’s share classes with girls from Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), the college’s sister school.

In 2017, school fees at the college increased by 8.5% to R235 335 - was R199 140 in 2016.

2. Kingswood College, Grahamstown

Also based in Grahamstown, Kingswood College is the second most expensive school in Eastern Cape in 2017 – or the 13^th most expensive school in South Africa.

It was founded in 1894 by Daniel Knight, who later became Mayor of Grahamstown between 1901-1903.

Kingswood College is a private, Methodist co-educational school that is attended by boarding and day scholars.

Parents parted with R203 400 in 2017 (a 9.3% increase from last year’s R186 090) so that their kids can be equipped for the future at the prestigious school.

3. Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), Grahamstown

Diocesan School for Girls is the 3^rd most expensive school in Eastern Cape - and the 14^th most expensive school in South Africa.

Based in Grahamstown, its campus adjoins its brother school, St Andrew's College.

Founded in 1874 by Bishop Nathaniel Merriman, DSG is one of the oldest girls’ schools in the country.

The DSG also has close links with St Andrew’s Preparatory School where the girls attend classes with the boys in the Pre- Primary School and Junior Primary.

In 2017, school fees at the school increased by 8.5% to R203 190 from last year’s R187 260.

          4. Woodridge College and Preparation School, Thornhill

Located approximately 40km from Port Elizabeth and Jeffrey’s Bay, in the small town of Thornhill, Woodridge College is the fourth most expensive school in the Eastern Cape.

Woodridge is Christian school that implements a holistic approach to education and aims to develop the body, mind and spirit to enable each pupil to reach his or her potential.

The school was established in January 1936 by the Carter family - all of whose descendants have attended the school.

Originally the school was only a preparatory school, and the college was started during the 1960s.

Currently, there are over 700 students from within and beyond our borders.

School fees for 2017 at Woodridge College per annum is R93 608 if paid in full or R127 080 if paid in instalments.

 5. Theodor Herzl Schools, Port Elizabeth

Theodor Herzl is an independent, co-educational, English medium school in Port Elizabeth that caters for pre-primary, primary and high school.

The school was named after Zionist author, Theodor Herzl, when it was founded by members of Port Elizabeth Jewish community on 21 January 1959.

In 1962, Theodor Herzl moved to its sprawling current site in Walmer. It has continued to thrive for more than half a century and is today one of South Africa’s top independent co-educational schools, with a significant academic record. Although its community has become largely multi-cultural, it retains its Jewish heritage and flavour.

The annual school fees are R86 892.

6. Merrifield Preparatory School College, East London

Merrifield Preparatory School was founded in 1997 under the guidance of Dave Bawden. Only 52 pupils started in this school when it launched.

The school adopted its name from Eric Merrifield, an engineer at the east London Harbour, who made the dolos world famous.  

The school’s annual fees are R80 816 per annum.

7. Selborne College, East London

Based in East London, Selborne College is a public boys school that was founded in 1872 by Pastor Heinrich Muller, a German settler. Then it was known as the Panmure Public School.

The school caters for day scholars and boarders in Grades 7- 12.

School fees for 2017 is R69 680 per annum.

How these schools compare with South Africa’s most expensive schools

The most expensive school in South Africa is Hilton College, which is based in Howick. Parents paid R253 660 in 2017 for their kids to study there.

Roedean School for Girls, in Parktown, is the second most expensive school in South Africa at R236 795, which makes St Andrews College Grahamstown the third most expensive school in South Africa in 2017.