Ages 
Popular with parents from the northern hemisphere for the familiar school calendar (August start date), parents from all countries and sectors choose this school for the genuine diversity, commitment to excellence and the numerous opportunities on offer, including the IBDP (only offered by three schools in the entire country) and now AP classes too. The fabulous campus is an additional draw - not many schools boast an on-site wetlands reserve and golf course.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 850
- Curricula
- International
- American
- SEN provision
- Mainstream with SEN support
- Offers boarding
- Boarding
- Pre school provision (up to 4)
- Yes
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- US$ 9,800 / R 186,200 (pre-K 3/4) from 2025 entry only to US$ 37,026 / R 703,494 (G11/12). Boarding $20,000 per year extra (from G8). Payable in two instalments for 5 per cent fee.
- Linked schools
Head of school
Director
Michael Schooler
Since 2024, Michael Schooler, an American with extensive experience in Africa, namely two longish stints in leadership positions in Egypt and Ethiopia. Head of school at Schutz American School (Alexandria) from 2018 and, previously, head of
Entrance
Across its two campuses, school is currently only operating at about two thirds of its capacity of 1200. Students are accepted at any time at any age, including the start of the final year (grade 12) if the correct credits are underway to gain a high
Exit
A world map on the wall of the high school reception area shows leavers' destinations. Nearly half head to the US and Canada (to a wide variety of private and state universities). The rest are split mostly between the UK (around 10 per cent) and
Latest results
In May 2025, over half the grade (29 students) took the IBDP, with 27 passing, gaining an average of 33 (higher than world average of 30). Others took individual IB certificates to supplement the high school diploma.
In May 2024, 43 out of 64
Teaching & learning
High school students have a choice of either the IB Diploma Programme or the US high school diploma (which IBDP candidates also receive) with or without individual IB courses. Online Advanced Placement (AP) classes in numerous subjects have been
- Curricula & qualifications
- International - International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
- American - American high school diploma (College Preparatory)
- American - American middle school curriculum
- American - American elementary (or primary) curriculum
- American - Advanced Placement (AP)
Learning support & SEN
A comprehensive support programme for students with learning differences who can access the mainstream curriculum falls under ‘student support services’ or S3. On this campus alone there are eight learning support specialists directly employed by the
Language support
Children can join elementary and middle school with any level of English. In high school, students must have a certain proficiency, assessed by WIDA English language tests, with a high level being required for accessing diploma classes. ELL provision
Arts & extracurricular
Everything is on a large scale here and the bright and welcoming art rooms are no exception. When we visited, grade 3 children were map making, grade 4s were trying out weaving techniques and grade 5s were learning about digital photography, with DSL
Sport
Set on 80 acres, it’s like a mini university campus, boasting amazing sports facilities. How many schools have their own Eagle Creek, a mini golf course with twelve practice bays and five greens, as well as a chipping and putting green and bunkers?
Boarders
New for August 2025, school has refurbished what was a small facility for local scholarship students to provide a beautiful, modern boarding house with individual study/bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a comfortable common room (think squidgy sofas
Ethos & heritage
Originally a farm, an old stable block now forms the attractive main administrative building plus some upper elementary school classrooms. Expansion over the years has created a huge campus which even boasts its own wetlands reserve for biology field
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Posters around school proudly celebrate the community principles, including, ‘Our differences make us stronger’ and ‘Every voice counts. Every voice matters.’ A multi-faith prayer room sits off the high school library, also used as space for quiet
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobiles locked up in pouches during the day.
Classroom & community
Students travel from across Johannesburg, with a large number living on the nearby Dainfern estate and other northern suburbs, served by two door-to-door school bus routes reaching as far as Sandton and Hyde Park. High schoolers are also bused or
- School year
- August – June
- School hours
- 7:40am – 2:50pm, 1:30pm on Wednesdays
- Student nationalities
- 31% American, 21% South African. Indian, Brazilian, Swedish, British, French, Canadian and Dutch all two to six per cent. 35% from other countries.
- Student nationalities - total
- 65
- Uniform requirements
- No
Money matters
Faced with losing up to 100 students across the two campuses due to the sudden closure of the large local USAID agency (and the knock-on effect on other agencies and charities), school had to make some tough cuts, including to teaching staff. At the
- Annual fee range
- US$ 9,800 / R 186,200 (pre-K 3/4) from 2025 entry only to US$ 37,026 / R 703,494 (G11/12). Boarding $20,000 per year extra (from G8). Payable in two instalments for 5 per cent fee.
- Fee information
- Application fee: new student application fee of US$240 / R 4,560
Non-refundable new student capital fee of US$ 11,025 / R 209,475 from kindergarten upwards. Deposit of US$ 2,600 or R 41,600 is offset against tuition fees. Bus transport is extra.
Self-paying families who commit to paying five years’ fees (GK-G8) receive a discount. For 2025-26 only, a discount of up to 50 per cent is available for families affected by the USAID and related job cuts, with preference given to children already enrolled in the school.
The last word
Popular with parents from the northern hemisphere for the familiar school calendar (August start date), parents from all countries and sectors choose this school for the genuine diversity, commitment to excellence and the numerous opportunities on
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS or MSA)
Authorised by International Baccalaureate Organization (not to be confused as an inspection or accreditation agency)- Memberships
- ISASA, SENIA International,
