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When it comes to education and schools in Johannesburg, there are plenty of options. There are many government-run public schools of varying quality, independent private schools as well as international schools. The majority of expats send their children to private or international schools in and around the city.
The waiting lists for the best schools in Johannesburg can be long, and expats are advised to apply as far in advance as possible if they want their children to attend their school of choice.
Public schools in Johannesburg
Some government schools in Johannesburg have excellent track records. However, those supported solely by government funding are generally understaffed and have limited resources. The better public schools are those that obtain additional funding from fee-paying parents, alumni donations and governing bodies.
Although these schools are still limited to offering the standard South African curriculum, the quality of education and facilities is higher than at regular public schools. Parents will have to pay fees at these institutions, but the prices are much lower than those of private and international schools.
Education and Schools in South Africa has more on the national education system.
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Private schools in Johannesburg
There are several good private school options in Johannesburg. As they are funded privately, they have more freedom in terms of their curriculum. Many private schools teach through the lens of a particular religion, such as Catholicism, or an alternative educational philosophy, like Montessori.
Many private schools have excellent academic standards and a wide range of extracurricular activities, all within pristine facilities. Fees at these schools can be high, although they are generally lower than international school fees.
Private Schools in Johannesburg
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International schools in Johannesburg
There are a handful of international schools in Johannesburg serving the expat population. These schools offer foreign curricula such as those of the UK, the US or the International Baccalaureate.
The main advantage of international schools is that they allow expat children to continue with a familiar, globally recognised curriculum. They’re also an ideal place for both children and parents to make friends with other expat families. Although fees are high and waiting lists long, most parents agree that the quality of education is well worth it.
International Schools in Johannesburg
Special educational needs in Johannesburg
In light of the extremely limited resources of public schooling in Johannesburg, we advise parents of children with special educational needs to use the private education sector instead.
Some mainstream private schools offer extra support while giving the child the benefit of mixing with a more diverse range of peers. That said, not all mainstream schools are equal in this regard – some schools offer more support and are more experienced with special-needs children than others.
If your child requires more specialised and individualised support, there are several private schools catering specifically to children with special educational needs.
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Tutors in Johannesburg
Tutors in South Africa are most frequently used when a child has trouble with a particular subject, or in the run-up to major assessment periods such as the matric final exams. You may find tutors helpful for learning a new language, maintaining a mother tongue, and catching up to an unfamiliar curriculum.
Reputable companies include Brightsparkz Tutors and Teach Me 2, both of which offer one-on-one in-person or online tutoring based on the client’s needs.