Should we send our kids to a local or international school in South Africa?

Hi Global Nomad

South Africa is an English-speaking country, so there are a wide variety of schools in South Africa you could look into. Local public schools, which follow the South African curriculum, vary widely in quality - some are terrible, but some are very good value for money, especially in the cities. Then there are loads of private schools that follow their own curriculums, sometimes wholely British or South African, other times a combination of various international curriculums. These are more expensive but generally quite good. There's less of a choice of English international schools in Cape Town, as most exist for non-English-speaking expats.

If you have your heart set on the American curriculum I would suggest the American International School of Cape Town (www.aisct.org) which has a good reputation. But it really depends on when/if you intend to return to the States and how old your kids are. If they're young, they'll adjust to a new curriculum. If they're already in high school and you intend to move back to the States before they graduate with an American High School Diploma, then it would probably be better to stick to the American curriculum so there isn't as much of a disruption.

Hope this helps - and good luck with the move.

Hi Global Nomad,

I for one would like to put in a plug for a South African private school. We have 4 kids, ages 9-15, and they all go to an SA school instead of the American International School (we are in Joburg). I can't tell you how happy we are with our choice. Yes, there are disruptions due to the different school year and academic differences, and there will be an adjustment upon returning (most likely catch-up work in math), but what expats often don't consider is the enormous benefits when their kids are put in an entirely new school system. They learn a ton, not necessarily in academics but everything else. When you look back sometime in the future, my guess is the little details, like how did they adjust to all these disruptions, will pale in comparison to the overall experience. 

If you'd like to read a more in-depth analysis, I've written several blog posts about just the schooling topic and SA schools vs Americans ones, start  here: http://www.joburgexpat.com/2012/05/are-south-african-schools-behind.html. And try this one: http://www.joburgexpat.com/2010/06/south-african-schools.html. Hope that helps!

Hi there. I only know about Cape Town schools, but I expect the same is the case in Johannesburg. The international schools in Cape Town are very good, but I think it is fair to say that they are not of quite the same standard as the long established private local schools such as Herschal and St Cyprians (for girls) or Bishops or Western Province Prep (WETPUPS), for boys, and dont offer the same extra curricular and sporting facilities. However I know the German school in town is well regarded.

Yes, I agree with the above, I know at least from people with kids in the American School in Joburg that it is not all that challenging and extracurriculars are pretty poor there, as they don't nearly have the facilities the local schools do. Your kids might have to play rugby and cricket instead of basketball and baseball, but the fields and coaching etc will be very professional. I personally don't think the American school lives up to the price it charges, which I guess if your company pays for it is not so much of an issue. But if cost is something you need to take into consideration, you will get MUCH more value for your money from a private South African school. 

I have traveled and educated my kids internationally for 6 years. The only difficulties that we experienced was when one of my children attended a local private school. It was well rated, and attended by the who's who of the country, but for everything that the school was advanced in, it was behind in others. My last child is in her last 2 years of High School and she will continue in the American international school system. The reasons for that is that fact that should our work assignment some how get cut short, she will still be on tract with the American system if we either come back to the US or move to another country. Also American international schools have the things that American teens look forward to, such as IB or AP classes, proms and social dances. Most American international schools normally have 60% international and local kid attending, so you kids will get a international experience without losing out the things that that make American High School so much fun. If you are coming with a company,Your employer should provide you with a list of the local schools, but if they don't just Google American international school where ever you are going. I have found some companies they don't like to tell you about he American schools because it is sometimes more expensive, but there are local ones on many list that are more expensive than the American schools, so go figure? There is and American school in cape town. I have attached a link to the American international school of cape town: www.aisct.org Good luck.

We are currently in the process of repatriating to South Africa(Cape Town) after more than 8 yrs in the Netherlands. I have 2 boys aged 4 and 11. I am totally clueless what to expect ito of education. Does anyone know of the good schools in the Tableview/Blouberg area for 4-11 yr olds? What are your experiences? Thank you kindly, Tulip

Hi Tulip

I suggest downloading the free guide to schools in Johannesburg - it contains a lot of general information which applies to Cape Town as well. I'd say the only difference is that Cape Town, especially Blouberg/Tableview, is safer than a lot of areas in Johannesburg.

In a nutshell, if you can afford it you should probably send your kids to a private South Afrcan curriculum school. In that area there's Parklands College or Elkhanah House. For more schools, see the Expat Arrivals private schools in Cape Town and international schools in Cape Town pages.

Schooling varies from child to child, and therefore the decision should be made based on the child at hand, and not because of a American/British/ South African or any school in specific. It is not about the type of school but rather what it has to offer, and how your child would fit in there. I have been to an International school as well as a good local school, and by far, the International school is the best. It will not work for everyone but Private schools are not confined to the South African curriculum, and allow your children to be internationally accepted. However, it is all about the children and you should do careful thinking before you decide. Just to add: It is a paradigm that children who home-school or go to private schools don't receive the 'full experience' this is, in fact, wrong and many people who have Home-schooled/ Self-schooled will tell you so. Furthermore, you don't have to worry as Cape town offers a variety of very good schools.

Hello We are also thinking about returning to South Africa. My children are currently in an IB school. How do I find out if there are any IB candidate schools in Cape Town. I know about the IB in Hout Bay and Helderberg. But these areas are just out of our reach in terms of travelling to work Thanks Shams

Private school only. Cape town. Bishops for boys

Hello. My family have a chance to move to Cope Town soon. My kids are 14 and 16 years old. How much do I have to pay for privet or international school for them?

Hello Shantalie. Thanks a lot for all info. I'll check those web. Can you explain me the difference between privet and international schools, please. Is there any difference in quality or level of teaching? Regards. Ivona.

Hi Ivona,

The amount you will pay for school fees will depend on the school you send your children too. 

International schools fees range between ZAR 30,000 and ZAR 80,000 per year, The amound you will pay depends on the age of the child. As both of your kids fall into older age groups, expect to pay more. 

There are some schools that offer a discount if you pay in a single instalment or if you have more than one child at the school. 

I recommend you take a look at the International Schools in Cape Town page. This provides a list of all the international schools in the city and also links to their individual web pages for further information. 

There is also the option of sending your children to a private school in Cape Town. But fees are not much less and some of the more popular school have fees reaching up to ZAR 150,000 per year. You can find a comprehensive guide on our Private Schools in Cape Town page. 

Do let us know if you have any more questions.

Shantalie

Just as an update to the school discussion: We just relocated to the U.S. from Johannesburg and this might give you some valuable insights into what to watch out for in terms of school.

As you can read above, we had our kids in a private SA school, not the American one (which, in Johannesburg, for some reason is particularly expensive for what's offered) and have absolutely no regrets. However, we DID end up letting them repeat the grade when moving here (or, rather, the half-grade, but between the two moves it ended up being a whole grade). This was NOT based on academics. They are finding the work here very easy, in fact easier than there. This is because of the American way of testing - lots of multiple choice, you are told exactly what will be on the test, and there is not much room at the top for improvement (vs the SA system where an 80% average is considered excellent and anything above truly exceptional).

So there was no academic reason, we only did it to give our oldest a chance to start 11th grade from the beginning rather than the middle. This will give him a chance to enroll in the oh-so-important AP classes and have more time to immerse himself into the college application process (which is a bit of a rat-race here, but I guess you always end up joining the rat race - would have loved to finish his education in SA and avoiding it altogether).

If you have children in high school, and particularly in the later years of high school, I would agree there is a strong argument for sending your kids to an American school - first of all, to keep the school year in line with home so you don't get that half-year shift, and to make sure you have access to those AP classes or an IB curriculum. It will make the transfer much easier, and there won't be any risk of "losing" a year.

On the other hand, we've come to the realization that "losing" is relative. What harm is there in extending your school career by a year? When measured against all the experience you can have in a foreign country (which might be more "exotic" if you go the local route - just think of the language element in countries where you have that), I say it's worth it. Our kids seem to be doing just fine the way everything turned out.

For further reading on a "global" education and the benefits of stepping out of the American system (and saving money that way), I highly recommend "The New Global Student" by Maya Frost.

Hi there, my husband get an job offer at Stellenbosch! Now we are thinking in which city should we live! The best would be close to the school but which are the best school for our girls 6 and 9 years young! Their mother tongue is German but I thinking to put them into a english speakting school! Maybe the first year will be difficult for them but I am sure they will pick it up very quick! The school should have an enviorment with children from differnt background (from all over the word and different religious affiliation) Maybe there is a school between Stellenbosch and Cape Town! Would be nice if someone could give me some advice - and share his opinion about my idea with me. THANK YOU!!!!

Hi Louisa

Stellenbosch is an acadmic centre and there are excellent schools in the town. A particulaly good girls school is Rennish, which would be a good one for you to consider. Stellenbosch is a beautiful town and a wonderful place to bring up children. If you could find a home and school there, I would say that's first prize. I would look more in the outer suburbs, as the inner town areas are very student-focused, and the more suburban areas are more for the family. Areas such as De Boord, Welgevonden, De Zalze, Paradyskloof are ideal family-oriented areas which have many options for houses, many in secure complexes.

You could also consider living in Somerset West, which is about 10 km away, closer to the coast. There are also a number of good schools there, such as Somerset College, which is a private school (with expensive fees to match). Two other schools you could consider are De Hoop or Beaumont - both are good government schools in the town, and offer duel-medium teaching (English and Afrikaans). 

If you do steer towards having your children in a German-language school, there is a German shool in Cape Town. Although you should bear in mind that this would be at least an hour commute in the mornings either way, whether you live in Cape Town and your husband commutes to Stellenbosch or the other way around.

Good luck with your decisions! You really are going to be living in one of the mot beuatiful areas in South Africa!

Hi Louisa - just to add my two cents: our family is German speaking and we were very happy with our kids at an English-speaking South African school. The German school  has a very good reputation as well, but I agree with Catherine - you won't want to have a long commute every morning, it will be so  much nicer to live close to your school. If you go with any of the dual-language English/Afrikaans schools, I wouldn't worry about the additional language. For a German speaker, Afrikaans is very easy. Our kids easily advanced to the top of their class after less than a year of Afrikaans.
Good luck, and yes, you will live in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

In case it might add some insight to this discussion, I just wrote a blog post about the question of international/versus local schools in South Africa, now that we've been through the process of reintegrating in our home country: http://www.joburgexpat.com/2013/03/international-or-local-school.html

Hi. Thanks all of you for a lot of info about schools. I Have a question also about a safety in SA? Cape Town to be more precisely. How daily life looks like? There is so many different opinion on internet about it ... Thanks

Hi. Thanks all of you for a lot of info about schools. I Have a question also about a safety in SA? Cape Town to be more precisely. How daily life looks like? There is so many different opinion on internet about it ...

Hi, We intend to move to Joburg and will be living in Sandton, my son is 3.5 yrs of age.. can u pls recomend good schools with day care in that area. Thanks a ton. regards

Hi Ivona - safety is always the first question by all expats, and there is so much out there on the internet that is simply untrue or grossly exaggerated. We lived in South Africa with our four children for 3 years and never  had any safety concerns or problems. It was the best 3 years of our lives. Yes, you should be careful at night, and living in a security estate of course gives you a lot of peace of mind, but other than that, South Africa is a very enjoyable place and especially Cape Town is beautiful. I don't want to  necessarily promote my blog here, but I have written extensively about the safety issue on it, so I think it's best to refer you to that instead of trying to say everything here. Same goes for all the "daily life" questions people typically have. It's www.joburgexpat.com. Good luck with your move!

Can someone give me advice. I have 2 kids in British system year 7 and year 3 (12 & 8 years old) and we're about to move to Cape Town. The schools that follow English curriculum starts in January and this means that we're gonna loose a year or repeat a year. So we're looking now at the american international school which i'm also not really keen on as this is a different curriculum and different system. Can someone give me advice in case they had similar sort of problem

There are lots of British kids at the American School in Cape Town. Many go on to university in the UK. If you you are going to be in SA for just a few years, it is good to keep them on the same calendar.