Best High Schools in Durban, 2023

After our post on the best high schools in Bloemfontein utterly went viral, we often get asked by some of our audience, probably those in the KwaZulu-Natal region, to write about the best high schools in Durban. And as you might have rightly guessed, that is just what we are trying to put together right here. So, grab yourself some popcorn and gently scroll through.

This article will eventually provide a list of government and private high schools in Durban that will proffer a long-term solution to parents questing for the best high schools around the city of Durban.

Education is to every child what the eyes are to humans. Sounds funny, huh? That’s a fun fact, but the earlier you realised that, the better.

A good and quality education speaks volumes, and not only that, it matters a lot, and children should, at least, be allowed to access quality and a more impactful education through adequate and cutting-edge learning infrastructures and facilities.

EDUCATION IN DURBAN

We know how challenging it can be to find a school that is suitable for the child. And in most cases, it takes quite a long while to figure out an ideal school that will go down well with your youngsters. We’ve been there more than a couple of times and hopefully are in the best position to work you through the tedious task of figuring out the list of top government and private high schools in Durban.

Like most of our posts, we aim to walk you through the top 10 best high schools in Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province. And, mind you, these schools comprise the leading public and private secondary schools in the city.

Read Also: Top 10 Best High Schools in Centurion

Also, note that while some of these schools might be co-educational (catering to both boys and girls), others could probably be single-gendered, opened only to a specific group of gender.

In addition, quite a handful of these schools might be religious-affiliated, while others may not. Ultimately, we will do our due diligence to spell out where each of these schools belongs.

In the end, you will get only the best high schools in Durban, occupying first to the tenth position. These are schools anyone can vouch for in terms of quality academics performance and loads of sporting facilities.

LIST OF TOP 10 BEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL

1. DURBAN HIGH SCHOOL

Durban High School is not only the first on our list; It is also the oldest boy high school in Durban. The school began its journey in 1866 as an all-boys government-aided secondary school in a few rooms with seven learners in the register.

The past years have seen the school flourishing in different fields and activities, including academics and sports.

As of this writing, DHS, as it is often abbreviated, has a student body of approximately 1,300 pupils from Grade 8 – Grade 12 and over 75 teachers.

DHS isn’t just the oldest high school in the city but one with so many distinctive qualities. The school—for some good reasons—is one of the most popular government high schools in Durban and the entire of South Africa.

Although it’s a day school basically; however, it has hostel facilities that cater to a few hundred students.

In 2021, the school celebrated its 144th anniversary. Over this period, the school has been offering loads of academic and sporting activities, including football, cricket, climbing, basketball, and a host of other traditional athletics.

At Durban High School, learners are prepared in a safe and stimulating environment with the best possible education to foster their growth and help them achieve their full potential.

DHS has a non-selective policy; therefore does not require any criteria to be met by the students before being eligible for enrollment. Application is open to students from all parts of Duban and beyond.

That said, if you are looking for one of the best government high schools in Durban for boys, this school should be on your list.

2. GLENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Glenwood High School, like its name, is an all-boys public secondary school situated in Glenwood, in the city of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The school is an English medium high school for boys established in 1910. Today, it is among the oldest boys’ government high schools in Durban.

Established in 1910 with a student enrollment of 24 boys, the school has ultimately outgrown its humble beginnings. Presently, Glenwood High is one of the few Durban public schools with state-of-the-art boarding facilities.

Glenwood High School is quite relatively large in terms of student roll. It is, in fact, one of the largest all-boys Christian public high schools in South Africa’s third-most populous city, Durban.

And, over the past decades, the school has been named in multiple sources, including NGOSIFY, one of the best high schools in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. And frankly, it surely deserves the accolades it has gotten over the past many years.

Apart from gaining much attention over the past years, it is known for its various techy and non-techy activities; one reason it is referred to as the bustling hub of activity.

Over the past years, Glenwood has invested lots and lots of cash into revitalizing its facilities to world-class and staying up-to-date with the 21st-century changes.

3. DURBAN GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Third on the list is the Durban Girls’ High School. The school usually is abbreviated as DGHS, and without mincing of words, it is one of the oldest government high schools in Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Apart from being the oldest, it also has a rich history which can be traced back to 1882, its founding year, when it started with fewer than 100 pupils.

DGHS is indeed a school of choice, and this is evidence by the number of students enrolled, approximately 1,200 learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

In order to provide quality holistic education to pupils, the school embraces technology and has invested a lot into state-of-the-art technology and equipment, which in turn unlocks the full potential of every child.

Durban Girls’ High School pride itself in embracing new educational challenges as they surface. The school has a safe and secure learning environment, plus a vibrant and stimulating community of young talented learners.

4. NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

Northwood School is situated in the coastal city of Durban North in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa and traces its origin back to 1990 – when it opened with 215 learners and 12 staff members.

At Northwood School, English home language is a compulsory subject, and either Zulu or Afrikaans first additional language, and mathematics or mathematical literacy.

The school is equipped with many cutting-edge facilities, including classrooms and computer, science, and technology laboratories, to keep up-to-date with the latest 21st-century changes.

Northwood School boasts several world-class sporting facilities. These include Sports Medicine Centre, football and cricket fields, basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium, and many others.

Despite being a day school, it also has boarding facilities that cater to 100 boarders from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

5. NORTHLANDS GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Northlands Girls’ High School, commonly abbreviated as NGHS, is a public secondary school for girls situated in Cadogan Drive in the suburb of Durban North in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

The school began its operation in the fall of 1953. But before then, it was known as Durban North High School. At the time, the school was fully co-educational, accommodating both boys and girls. A decision, however, was later concluded to have a separate campus for girls, and same with boys, which is what resulted in the formation of Northlands Girls’ High School.

Northlands Girls’ High School is the first high school to be erected in Durban North, and it is currently one of the largest government girls high schools in the Durban North area.

Over the past years, the school has maintained its fine performances in academics and sports. Today, it caters to approximately 800 students aged 13 to 13 years old from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

BEST GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOLS IN DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL

6. GEORGE CAMPBELL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY

Next on the list is George Campbell School of Technology. George Campbell is one of the best technological government high schools in Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The school accepts both boys and girls and offers a specialized academic education in which students are immersed in technologically inclined courses.

Founded in 1963 as George Campbell Technical High School with fewer than 200 pupils, the school, today, caters to over 1,000 learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

Although a government-aided high school. School fees, however, are required for enrollment as provided for by the South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996.

Due to its emphasis on technology, its curriculum includes mostly compulsory subjects like Science, Mathematics, Technical Drawing, English, and Afrikaans.

Students at George Campbell School of Technology are offered subjects that can lead them to swift admission into any tertiary institutions in and out of South Africa.

George Campbell boasts world-class facilities, including Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and AutoCAD Centre.

7. WESTVILLE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Westville Boys’ High School, one of the best boys’ government high schools in Durban, is a public, single-gender secondary school situated in Westville, a town west of Durban.

Like many schools in the city, the early days of Westville Boys’ High School weren’t as smooth as anyone would’ve expected it to be. The school started in 1955, even though its root could be traced back to 1861.

Westville Boys has been making great strides in providing a safe and inspiring environment where learning can be made simple; through the implementation and use of adequate facilities.

Having established in 1955, Westville Boys’ High School marks its 66th anniversary in 2021.

Over the past years, the school has initiated several physical developmental projects from boarding and sporting facilities to media, visual arts, and ICT Centres.

The school currently has approximately 1,300 students from Grade 8 to Grade 12 and is one of the largest high schools in Durban.

8. KLOOF HIGH SCHOOL

Kloof High School is an English-medium co-educational government-aided high school situated in the leafy suburbs of Kloof, close to the city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Although primarily an English-medium school. It, however, provides the second languages option of isiZulu and Afrikaans, plus German and French as third languages.

The school opened its doors to students in 1960 with a student body of 127 learners. Quickly, it grew to employing about 49 educators and providing quality education to approximately 1,000 students from grade 8 to Grade 12.

Like most government high schools in Durban, Kloof High is a KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education administered school.

Kloof High School aims to provide a sustainable environment that raised the bar, and learners are disciplined and nurtured to reach their full potential.

9. KINGSWAY HIGH SCHOOL

Kingsway High School is an English-medium public co-educational school catering to approximately 1,000 learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12. It was founded in 1953 with the first Principal Mr. D G Truscott.

The school is situated in the coastal town of Amanzimtoti, south of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Kingsway High is arguably one of the best co-educational government high schools in Durban. Apart from catering to over a thousand learners, it also boasts modern (21st-century) facilities.

At Kingsway High School, learners are encouraged to participate in a wide range of sporting activities, including Football, Rugby, Athletics, Swimming, Hockey, Netball, and Cross Country, amongst others.

Kingsway High is known for its rich tradition and the large pool of talents in its exposure. The school offers an extensive level playing field for all learners and encourages parents to play a crucial role in ensuring the best for their youngsters.

10. WESTVILLE GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Westville Girls’ High School is the last on the list. And, honestly, it surely deserves a place in the top 10 high schools in Durban.

Founded in early 1964 with 219 pupils, the school has grown to cater to over 1,100 pupils from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

Commonly abbreviated with WGHS, Westville Girls’ High School is a government-aided school for girls situated in Durban.

Learners from Grade 10 to Grade 12 offer auxiliary lessons and workshops, plus Physical Science and Mathematics.

There is always an annual recognition of the brightest students through the school’s extensive awards policy in which learners who excelled in sports and cultural activities, and most importantly, academics receive an award.

WGHS uses the English language as the primary medium for communication. However, it also offered First Additional languages of Afrikaans and isiZulu.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Having talked through the nitty-gritty of schools in the city and even listed the top 10 best high schools in Durban, it is time to take the long-awaited action. Pick a school for your child!

Of course, if you have been following us from the start to the finish of this article, finding a perfect high school for your child should no longer be a problem. We have taken the time out to ensure this article serves you right.

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