The Best Boarding Schools in South Africa

Discover the best Boarding Schools in South Africa in this 2025 guide. Explore top-rated schools, tuition costs, parent reviews, and more.

The Best Boarding Schools in South Africa

South African boarding schools offer a unique educational experience with highly qualified teachers, smaller classes, and extracurricular activities. Living away from home encourages independence and self-discipline. Discover the best boarding schools in South Africa for a pathway to success.

Table of Contents

Why Choose to Study at a Boarding School in South Africa?

Opting for a boarding school in South Africa offers a unique blend of rigorous academics, rich cultural heritage, and an inclusive environment that nurtures independence and character development. This beautiful country, known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures, provides a backdrop for educational institutions that are as varied and dynamic as the environment itself.

Academic Excellence

South African boarding schools are often celebrated for their high academic standards. These institutions typically boast a robust curriculum that challenges students to excel across a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, sciences, arts, and humanities. The schools are equipped with modern facilities and technology that enhance the learning experience, ensuring students are well-prepared for university and beyond. Many of these schools follow internationally recognized curricula, such as the British A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate, providing graduates with qualifications that are respected worldwide.

Character and Leadership Development

More than just academic hubs, South African boarding schools place a strong emphasis on developing leadership qualities and ethical values. Through various structured activities and a supportive school community, students learn the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and resilience. Leadership roles within the school and participation in community service projects help cultivate a sense of duty and an understanding of the impact one can have on the world around them.

Cultural Immersion

South Africa’s rich tapestry of cultures makes it an ideal location for students to learn beyond the traditional classroom setting. Boarding schools here provide an immersive environment where students from various cultural backgrounds come together, sharing and celebrating their differences. This exposure fosters an understanding and appreciation of global perspectives, preparing students to thrive in a multicultural world.

Outdoor and Extracurricular Engagement

The natural beauty of South Africa offers plentiful opportunities for outdoor education and extracurricular engagement. Many schools take advantage of the country’s landscapes to offer programs in environmental education, wildlife conservation, and adventure sports. These activities not only enrich the students’ educational experience but also contribute to their physical well-being and personal growth.

Safety and Well-being

Safety is a principal concern for parents considering a boarding school. South African boarding schools are known for their secure campuses, where students can learn and live in a safe environment. Moreover, these schools provide a strong support system through pastoral care, which focuses on the mental and emotional well-being of the students, ensuring a balanced and supportive atmosphere for all.

Choosing to study at a boarding school in South Africa means embarking on an educational journey that is comprehensive, immersive, and incredibly enriching. It’s a choice that prepares students not just academically, but for life in a globally interconnected world.

How much does it cost to attend Boarding Schools in South Africa?

The yearly tuition fees for Boarding Schools in South Africa generally range from $7,500 to $15,000 per year. This cost can vary based on factors like the curriculum, the quality of campus facilities, the standard of boarding, and the services – with some top-tier schools exceeding $20,000 annually.
Category
Low Range
High Range
Annual Tuition
$7,500
$15,000
Monthly Tuition Equivalent
$625
$1,250
Registration Fee (one-time)
$500
$1,000
Uniforms & Materials
$200
$400
Extras & Trips
$300
$600
Total Est. Annual Cost
$8,500
$17,000

Top Boarding Schools South Africa 2025

Discover top Boarding Schools in South Africa. Use the filters to find the right fit and contact schools directly from their profiles.

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WSCover Kearsny College

Kearsney College

  • KwaZulu-Natal - Durban
  • Boys only
  • 14 to 19 years old
no reviews
  • School type:Day & Boarding School
  • Yearly fee: 13,412 - 21,348 usd
  • Curriculum:Other
  • Foundation:1921
  • Community: 650 students • 7 nationalities
  • Examinations:AS
  • Language:English
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.
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.
  • Boarding tradition for growth
  • Innovative 'Centenary Centre'
  • Record-holding rugby & choir programs

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

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,...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,...
aga khan academy mombasa featured image

The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa School

  • Kenya - Mombasa
  • Co-Education
  • 6 to 19 years old
3 reviews
  • School type:Day & Boarding School
  • Yearly fee: 500,000 - 3,058,000 kes
  • Curriculum:IB Curriculum
  • Foundation:2003
  • Community: 600 students • 14 nationalities
  • Examinations:IB Diploma
  • Language:English
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa is part of a global network of day/residential schools for high-achieving students in Grades 1-12. The outlook and educational perspectives of the Aga Khan Academies network are based on the vision of His Highness the Aga Khan. The aim of the Academies is to develop future leaders with the skills and knowledge to support positive development in their societies.At the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, we...
The three IB programmes offered at the Academy help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalising world.The three programmes are: Primary Years Programme (PYP) Middle Years Programme (PYP) Diploma Programme
  • Holistic education embracing diversity
  • Globally recognized IB curriculum
  • Emphasis on leadership and ethics

Annual tuition fees at The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa School range from 500,000 kes to 3,058,000 kes, depending on the student's grade level and program.

Tuition Fee. Academic Year 2023-2024 fees are payable in two equal instalments (for each Semester), no later than 15 July 2023 and 15 December 2023.Tuition Fee. Academic Year 2023-2024 fees are payable in two equal instalments (for each Semester), no later than 15 July 2023 and 15 December 2023.
WSCover Kearsny College

Kearsney College

  • KwaZulu-Natal - Durban
  • Boys only
  • 14 to 19 years old
no reviews
  • School type:Day & Boarding School
  • Yearly fee: 13,412 - 21,348 usd
  • Curriculum:Other
  • Foundation:1921
  • Community: 650 students • 7 nationalities
  • Examinations:AS
  • Language:English
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.
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.
  • Boarding tradition for growth
  • Innovative 'Centenary Centre'
  • Record-holding rugby & choir programs

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

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,...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,...
brookhouse school featured photo

Brookhouse School

  • Kenya - Nairobi
  • Co-Education
  • 2 to 18 years old
no reviews
  • School type:Day & Boarding School
  • Yearly fee: 2,580 - 32,000 usd
  • Curriculum:British Curriculum
  • Foundation:1981
  • Community: 1000 students
  • Examinations:A Level, IGCSE
  • Language:English
Premium Private International Schools in Nairobi, Kenya.
No 1 British National Curriculum School in East Africa offering a broad, creative, and unique future-focused curriculum.
  • Round Square membership fosters growth.
  • State-of-the-art Broadcasting Studio.
  • Embraces Kenyan and British curriculums.

Annual tuition fees at Brookhouse School range from 2,580 usd to 32,000 usd, depending on the student's grade level and program.

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Summary

Choosing a boarding school in South Africa offers students a pathway to academic excellence, character development, and cultural immersion. These schools provide a supportive, safe environment with a focus on preparing students for global challenges through a well-rounded educational and extracurricular program.