Kearsney College

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Boarding School - International School
Kearsney College
Kearsney College

Highlights

  • Boarding tradition for growth
  • Innovative ‘Centenary Centre’
  • Record-holding rugby & choir programs

Overview

Founded in 1921, Kearsney College is one of the country’s top independent traditional boys’ schools, renowned for its balance and all-round excellence. Kearsney’s beautiful 125-acre estate is located in Botha’s Hill, on the edge of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, midway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg and a thirty-minute drive from either city.

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Type of school
Boarding School - International School - Private School
Other
Age range
Gender

Boys only

from 13,412 to 21,348 USD

Foundation

Founded in 1921

Nationalities

7 different nationalities

Nr of students

650 students

Academics

The College has an outstanding record of academic achievement in the IEB Matriculation Examinations and enjoys a proud reputation for academic excellence. Kearsney has a renowned Maths and Science Excellence Programme and for eleven consecutive years Kearsney’s Maths and Science distinction rates have been approximately double the average distinction rates of all the IEB schools in the country.

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Curriculum

Other

Examinations

AS

Language of instruction

English

Accreditations

Kearsney College's primary "accreditation" is its status as an independent school that prepares students for the Independent Examination Board (IEB) school-leaving certificate, which is recognized worldwide for university entry. Additionally, the school has received official recognition and awards, such as being designated the South African Mathematics Federation's Top Performing School in KZN for mathematics for several consecutive years and having a certificate of approval from Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE).

Tuition Fees for 2025

Learn more about Kearsney College tuition fees for 2025, including general fee details, day school tuition, boarding fees, and available scholarships.

Annual tuition fees

Annual tuition fees at Kearsney College range from USD 13,412 to USD 21,348, depending on the student's grade level and program.

Day school tuition

A discount is offered on annual fees settled upfront. Monthly payments are to be made via a compulsory eleven-month debit order.A sibling discount is applied to tuition and boarding fees, net of any scholarship or bursary, for families with two or more brothers enrolled at the College.Kearsney offers a number of partial scholarships for Sports, Academics and Music. Bursaries, which are more financial-need based, are also offered to boys who show talent and leadership in those fields. We are very committed to balance and the well-rounded boy is certainly at an advantage. Kearsney scholarships are awarded for the full five years of the recipient’s high school career.

Boarding school tuition

A discount is offered on annual fees settled upfront. Monthly payments are to be made via a compulsory eleven-month debit order.A sibling discount is applied to tuition and boarding fees, net of any scholarship or bursary, for families with two or more brothers enrolled at the College.Kearsney offers a number of partial scholarships for Sports, Academics and Music. Bursaries, which are more financial-need based, are also offered to boys who show talent and leadership in those fields. We are very committed to balance and the well-rounded boy is certainly at an advantage. Kearsney scholarships are awarded for the full five years of the recipient’s high school career.

Scholarships

Scholarship information is not currently available. Please contact the school directly through this page to learn more.

Boarding

Kearsney offers its 650 boys a unique and flexible weekly or termly boarding and day scholar options catering to the needs of the modern family. Most of our boarders are weekly boarders, opting for a mix of family time and the experience, structure, fun and brotherhood of boarding.

Transport is provided on Monday mornings for boarders from Richards Bay, Umtunzini, Ballito, Umhlanga, Hilton and Pietermaritzburg. A return bus for day scholars leaves daily from Berea, with pick up points from Westville to Botha’s Hill.  Boarders are transported to and from King Shaka International Airport for holidays and half terms.

Kearsney attracts pupils from all over the country and the world, and full (termly) boarding is also offered. On any given weekend about 100 boarders will stay in on Saturday night and spend Sunday on campus. All boarders are welcome to stay in on the weekend, or to take exeats to stay with family or friends. Sunday excursions are organised for termly boarders and all those staying in.

Boarding has many benefits for school boys, providing a structured environment where the boys benefit academically, whilst enjoying the social and personal development associated with friendships and involvement in sport and cultural activities.

Boarding helps a boy develop self-discipline, maturity, independence and social skills, skills vital for achieving their full potential in life.

Dayboys are integrated into the boarding experience as much as possible, participating in House activities, dining with their housemates and even sleeping over at the boarding houses when they would like to take advantage of the more structured academic environment or share in the camaraderie on the night before a big match.

Kearsney has four Houses – Finningley, Gillingham, Pembroke and Sheffield. In their Grade 8 year, the boarders are accommodated in Haley House.

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Things to know

Enrollment phase

We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with further information about the College and how your son can become part of the Kearsney family. We understand that applying to a new school can be a daunting task and the Admissions team is committed to assisting prospective families each step of the way.

Student Community

Kearsney College welcomes a vibrant community of 650 students representing 7 different nationalities.

Health & safety

Kearsney believes that every pupil should be treated with respect and dignity and should live and learn in a welcoming and empowering environment.Kearsney College focuses on health and safety through its Wellness Programme, which educates boys on responsible behaviour, stress management, and substance abuse. The sanatorium provides 24-hour medical support with two sisters on duty, and the school has policies against drugs and alcohol, with disciplinary actions for violations. Additionally, the Boarding Facilities are managed to ensure a safe living environment.

Uniform

Students are required to wear school uniforms.

Student-teacher ratio

10.5 : 1

Religion

Christian

Special needs

ADHD, Dyslexia
Posted on August 25, 2025,
Updated on September 19, 2025

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Tuition fees for Kearsney College range from 13412 to 21348 USD per year depending on the student’s grade and chosen program.

Scholarship information is not currently available. Please contact the school directly through this page to learn more.
Founded in 1921, Kearsney College is one of the country’s top independent traditional boys’ schools, renowned for its balance and all-round excellence.
This institution has a total enrollment of 650 students.

Contact Kearsney College

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Last Name
Email *
Phone number
Your request

By clicking 'Send,' you agree to our Privacy Policy. Your message will be securely shared with the school.

Job or scholarship applications aren’t accepted through this form.

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Contact the school

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