Education and schools in Cape Town

The quality of education and schools in Cape Town varies widely. The city has a range of public (government-run), private (independent), and international schools, each with its own reputation. Education standards vary tremendously at government schools, while private and international schools offer consistently high levels of schooling, with prices to match.

The city is also home to the University of Cape Town, located at the foot of Devil's Peak and consistently ranked as the best university in Africa. Several other well-known institutions, including the University of Stellenbosch, are easily reachable from the city.

The school year in South Africa runs from mid-January to early December, across three or four equal terms, depending on the school. Holidays are typically in April, June/July, September and December.

Public schools in Cape Town

The quality of public schools in Cape Town can vary widely depending on who is funding them. The best schools are generally those that are partially funded and controlled by a private governing body in addition to funding from the government.

Many consider the best public schools to be those in Cape Town's wealthier suburbs. More often than not, schools in these areas come with a long and prestigious history. The fees for such schools are often on the high end of the spectrum by public school standards, but they are still largely cheaper than private and international schools.

Read Education and Schools in South Africa for more on the country's education system.

Useful links

• Western Cape Department of Education

Pre-schools in Cape Town

Cape Town has many pre-schools to choose from, and the more popular ones can have long waiting lists, so it's important to register in advance. Some are affiliated to private schools, or act as feeders for the more prestigious state schools. Fees range from R30,000 to R60,000 per year, with extras on top. Pre-schools cater for boys and girls who are 18 months old up to age 5 or 6, when they will start junior school. 

Read more about Pre-schools in Cape Town.

Private schools in Cape Town

There are many excellent private schools in Cape Town with good academic track records and international university acceptance rates. Given the range of good private schools in and around the city, they are often the first choice of informed expat parents moving to the city.

Provided they meet the standards prescribed by the Education Department, private schools can manage their own learning, teaching, and assessment of students. They can also choose whether to follow the South African national curriculum, the curriculum of the national Independent Examinations Board (IEB) or any other officially recognised curriculum.

Read more about Private Schools in Cape Town. 

International schools in Cape Town

International schools in South Africa follow curricula determined by international bodies, such as the International Baccalaureate, the British A-Levels, or the American SATs. Several international schools, such as French and German schools, teach the curricula of foreign-language countries. Although some have bilingual programmes as well, these schools teach in the predominant language of their country of origin. 

International schools offer a high standard of education and internationally recognised qualifications; however, they are also the most expensive schools in Cape Town. If expats have the financial means to pay for these schools, they are generally the best option for globally mobile families or those who don't plan on staying for the long term. 

This is because the curricula offered at international schools are easily transferable worldwide. Learning a familiar curriculum in one's home language can also make the adjustment to life in South Africa a little smoother.

While these schools are a great option, there is a lot of competition for places and waiting lists are often long, so it's best to apply as far in advance of arrival as possible.

Read more about International Schools in Cape Town.

Special educational needs in Cape Town

In Cape Town, parents of children with special educational needs can choose between mainstream schools with extra support or special-needs schools.

Some parents prefer mainstream schools because their children can interact with a wider and more diverse group of classmates. However, not all mainstream schools offer the same level of support, so parents may need to explore several options to find the best one.

Government schools usually do not provide enough support, so private schools are typically a better choice.

Useful links

• Western Cape Government – List of Special Needs Schools

Tutors in Cape Town

In South Africa, tutors are frequently hired to assist with 'problem subjects' such as maths or science or in the run-up to major testing, such as the matriculation exams. Expats may wish to use tutors in similar circumstances or to improve their or their children's English, maintain proficiency in the family's mother tongue, or catch up to a new curriculum.

Some tutor companies, such as the highly recommended Master Maths programme, specialise in a particular subject. Others, such as Teach Me 2, have a varied roster of tutors, each of whom has their own specialised subjects.

Useful links

• Master Maths
• Teach Me 2