The Top 10 most expensive boarding schools in South Africa in 2023

South Africa’s most expensive private boarding school – Hilton College in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands – will cost R369 920 in 2023.

That’s R92 480 per term (of four) – or R30 827 per month of the year.

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Hilton College maintained it’s No 1-ranking after a 7.8% (R26 765) hike in fees from 2022.

Close rivals Michaelhouse once again find themselves in second place. After a relatively modest 4.3% increase, a year at Michaelhouse in 2023 will see parents needing to fork out R342 000.

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But as parents well know, the fees DON’T end there!

According to Business Insider, first-time applicants will also need to pay non-refundable acceptance fees to secure spots, with Hilton College and Michaelhouse charging between R75 000 and R85 000.

Fees for boarding schools typically cover tuition and boarding and usually include insurance, minor medical attention, meals and access to facilities like libraries and laundry.

However, they don’t always include other costs, such as mandatory or voluntary development fees or building levies.

In addition, some schools also charge extra for ‘top-tier’ extra-curricular activities which can add several thousand rands onto the annual sum.

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St Andrew’s College in Makhanda (Grahamstown) rounds out the top three with fees for 2023 now R340 869 after a 6.5% (R20 805) increase from 2022.

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Fees across the board have jumped in recent years, despite uncertain Covid-times.

In 2021, just three private boarding schools were part of the ‘R300 000 club’. Last year that number doubled to six schools and for the 2023 academic year as many as nine now charge in excess of R300 000 per annum – with new entrant in 10th-place, Diocesan School for Girls, only R900 below that mark.

As with South Africa’s most expensive day schools, boys’ schools dominate the top 10 list which features just three all-girls schools.

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Note: The fees listed below are as they appear on the various schools’ websites and cover annual tuition only. Fees are for the highest level of learning available (up to grade 12). Lists are not comprehensive as some schools have not publicly published 2023 fee schedules.

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE SA BOARDING SCHOOLS IN 2023

Under: rank, school, province, 2022 fees, 2023 fees, % increase

1. Hilton College (KwaZulu-Natal) – R343,155 – R369,920 – 7.8%

2. Michaelhouse (KwaZulu-Natal) – R328,000 – R342,000 – 4.3%

3. St Andrew’s College (Eastern Cape) – R320,064 – R340,869 – 6.5%

4. Roedean School (Gauteng) – R310,994 – R337,428 – 8.5%

5. St John’s College (Gauteng) – R304,995 – R331,091 – 8.6%

6. Kearsney College (KwaZulu-Natal) – R303,710 – R326,480 – 7.5%

7. St Mary’s School (Gauteng) – R293,050 – R313,990 – 7.1%

8. Bishops Diocesan College (Cape Town) – R289,700 – R311,960 – 7.7%

9. St Alban’s College (Gauteng) – R287,850 – R307,350 – 6.8 %

10. Diocesan School for Girls (Eastern Cape) – R276,930 – R299,100 – 8.0%