One province stood above the rest by occupying four of the five SA spots in the top 100 list.
However, many people in South Africa choose to enroll their children in independent or private schools for various reasons private school fees Are much more Compared to public schools.
private school tuition fees There is an average increase of 6.9% in boarding school fees and an average increase of 6.8% in day school fees by 2025 in South Africa.
With private school prices rising at more than twice the national inflation rate, the affordability of elite education in South Africa is coming under increasing pressure.
However, it may be worthwhile to repay these amounts.
Spears Magazine just released this school index For 2026, a further five South African private schools have made the list.
The magazine describes it spears school index as “The Definitive Guide to the World's 100 Leading Private Schools” and has released results for the last seven years.
According to Spears, the index does not just look at academic outcomes, but also takes into account:
- school reputation
- Extra Curriculum Provided
- Leadership Opportunities for Students
- access to elite class
Spears writes: “Unlike traditional school rankings, the Spears School Index is not solely concerned with academic performance. Instead, it reflects the realities of globally mobile wealth: where families are choosing to live, educate their children, establish their businesses, and build their networks.”
So, where do South African private schools rank among some of the most prestigious and internationally recognized schools, such as Eton College in the UK and Harvard-Westlake School in the United States?
Five SA schools made the list:
Spears also includes the estimated annual boarding costs, making these schools among the most expensive in the country:
- Hilton College – approximately R530 000 per year
- Michaelhouse – approximately R485,000
- St Anne's Diocesan College – approximately R387,000
- Cordwalls Preparatory School – approximately R320 000 – R325 000
- Western Province Preparatory School – approximately R265 000 – R282 000
You can find the full list of leading private schools in the world Here.
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