Recently, we have reviewed some of the best high schools in Cape Town, coupled with several pre-and post-primary schools in many parts of South Africa. And in the same vein, however, we want to have a crystal look into the top ten high schools in Port Elizabeth—a city now officially named Gqeberha.
You are probably going to find this post helpful if you are:
- Looking for the best high schools in Port Elizabeth
- Inquest for an affordable, yet high-performing secondary school
- Searching for private and government high schools in Port Elizabeth
As the case may be, this article is certainly going to proffer a one-size-fits-all solution to parents and caregivers who are in quest of an ideal secondary school to send their little ones to.
High schools in Port Elizabeth are made up of private and government-owned schools. However, they are all administered by a government entity: The Department of Basic Education (DBE). A department which oversees, and, is responsible for primary and secondary schools in the city of Port Elizabeth, and the country at large.
That said, before we delve right into the crux of this topic, we would like to give a heads up…, and that, there are quite over a hundred high schools in Gqeberha. And, as you might have imagined, choosing a school from these huge numbers can be very intimidating, to say the least.
But, don’t panic. We are going to walk you through the list of high schools in Port Elizabeth. And we are almost certain that would help you make the best possible school selection for your child.
Like we rightly mentioned early on. There are two main types of secondary schools in Port Elizabeth. There are government and private high schools.
This article will provide a complete overview of the best government and private high schools in Port Elizabeth.
Table of Contents
List of Top 10 High Schools in Port Elizabeth
1. Grey High School Port Elizabeth
| SCHOOL TYPE | Public |
| SCHOOL FEES | R 4 675 per month |
| GENDER | Boys |
| TELEPHONE | +27 41 374 3300 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | College Drive, Mill Park, 6001, Port Elizabeth |
| WEBSITE | greyhighschool.com |
Grey High School is a state-funded secondary school for boys, situated in Mill Park, Port Elizabeth. It was founded by John Paterson in 1856; and since then, has provided a safe and stimulating learning environment for students aged 14 to 18.
Over the past couple of years, Grey High School has held its own in South Africa’s school rating. Presently, it is rated as one of the best government high schools in Port Elizabeth, and throughout the Eastern Cape province, and the country, in general.
Grey High School is a benchmark in terms of quality learning, and facilities. Apart from being one of the oldest in the country, its cricket, rugby, and hockey teams are among the best in South Africa.
In addition, the school provides boarding facilities for learners from Grades 8 to 12. The Boarding House can accommodate 150 boarders.
Grey High School Boarding facilities comprise of:
- A computer laboratory with 25 computers
- 24/7 internet via a 10GB fiber-optic backbone
- WiFi coverage for boarders and staff
- TV Room is exclusively for the boarders, with access to selected DSTV channels, especially Super Sport, National Geographic, and the History Channel
- A project room
- Games Room: It has two billiard tables, two table-tennis tables and a dartboard, and a music center.
Even though it is a public school, it comes at a price. At Grey High School, boarding house fees can range from R 5 625 monthly x 12 months, and up to R 67 500 per annum.
2. Victoria Park High School Port Elizabeth
| SCHOOL TYPE | Public |
| SCHOOL FEES | R 27 500 per annum |
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | +27 (0)41 508 6400 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | 1st Ave, South End, Gqeberha, 6001 |
| WEBSITE | victoriaparkhigh.com |
Victoria Park High School is a public, co-educational day secondary school. It was founded in 1940 with the aim to nurture and develop the whole child. The school is rated one of the top high schools in Port Elizabeth.
Presently, the school has an enrolment of approximately 1,000 students from grades 8 to 12. In order to provide a supportive atmosphere to every child, the school maintains a very low student/teacher ratio. Thereby, creating a classroom where everybody knows everybody, while student/teacher relationship remains a top priority, and not compromised.
As part of its mission to facilitate a well-balanced education, with emphasis on developing the minds, bodies, and souls of the pupils. The school encourages learners to develop to their full potential.
3. Pearson High School Port Elizabeth
| SCHOOL FEES | R 3 119 per month |
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | +27 41 583 2111 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | Jenveyweg Road, Somerstrand, 6001, Port Elizabeth |
| WEBSITE | pearsonhighschool.com |
Pearson High School, also known as P.E. Secondary School, is a co-educational higher school situated on Jenvey Road in Summerstrand, a seaside suburb of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province.
The school was founded by Mr. Leo Deary in 1926 and opened its doors to 35 pupils in the first year. Its first location was in the old hospital buildings on Richmond Hill. Two years after, the school was named Pearson High School.
To date, Pearson continues to be even better. The school is not relenting in its commitment to educate the whole person – academically, physically, culturally, and spiritually.
Learners at Pearson are presented with a host of options to become heavily involved in curricular and extra-curricular activities.
4. The Hill College
| SCHOOL FEES | R5150 per month |
| GENDER | Boys and Girls |
| TELEPHONE | (041) 373 7043 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | 37 Cape Road, Mill Park, Port Elizabeth |
| WEBSITE | hillcollege.co.za |
Hill College was founded in 1963 to provide a more learner-centered education. It is located on Cape Road, Mill Park in Port Elizabeth. From its early days, the school has come a long way to become one of the best high schools in Port Elizabeth.
The college is one of the oldest fully accredited private high schools in Port Elizabeth. It is accredited by both the Department of Education & Umalusi.
Up until now, the college has used four premises: Richardson Building (1st premises), Park Drive (2nd premises), St Patricks Street (3rd premises), and the current school-owned premises at Cape Road.
The Hill College is Port Elizabeth’s Grade 10, 11 & 12 specialist. And, rightly so, it specializes in grade 10, 11, and 12 Further Education and Training (FET).
At Hill College, excellent pass rate, small classes & dedicated teachers are some of the standout attributes that make the school one of the most sought after. Also, the Hill is a top partner school of Nelson Mandela University.
The Hill Campus is well equipped and boasts two modern computer laboratories as well as an integrated science laboratory.
Also, classrooms are networked and have ADSL-linked facilities. All classrooms boast permanent data projectors.
5. Alexander Road High School
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | +27 (41) 365 1270 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | 9 Alexander Rd, Newton Park, Gqeberha, 6045 |
| WEBSITE | arhs.co.za |
Alexander Road High School provides a digital home for learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12. The school is located in the suburb of Newton Park in Gqeberha. Learners and parents share in the love, happiness, and family unity the school offers.
Founded in 1955 with only five teachers and 155 pupils on the register. The school has grown to hold its own as one of the leading secondary schools in Gqeberha.
Alex strives to create a secure and stimulating learning environment that caters to the ever-increasing student population. While also maintaining a progressive approach to building a nation and providing quality education.
One objective of the school is for all learners to be happy, hard-working, and self-disciplined.
Government High Schools in Port Elizabeth
6. Westering High School
| SCHOOL FEE | R 2 856 per month |
| ENROLMENT | ~ 1,000 |
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | +27 41 360 7805 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | Papenkuils Str, Westering, Port Elizabeth, 6015 |
| WEBSITE | westeringhigh.co.za |
Westering High School is a co-education secondary school in Port Elizabeth. Opened in 1970 with 178 pupils, the school offers a wide range of subjects that allows learners to enroll in any University or college of their choice.
Westering offers a compulsory Summer and Winter sport where all learners must take part. However, learners can choose from a wide variety of sports to participate in each season.
Over the past years, the school has made great strides in curricular and extra-curricular achievements. Having transitioned from a school of 178 pupils to now catering to approximately 1,000 learners is, indeed a great milestone. And, the school hasn’t seemed reluctant in its pursuit of more success stories.
Also, not to forget the excellent academic result.
7. Collegiate Girls’ High School
| SCHOOL FEES | R 3 970 per month |
| GENDER | Girls’ |
| TELEPHONE | +27(0)41 373 7705 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | Kestell St, Parsons Hill, Gqeberha, 6001 |
| WEBSITE | collegiatehigh.co.za |
Collegiate Girls’ High School was founded in 1874 to provide quality education to families in the town of Port Elizabeth. It is one of the oldest existing Girls’ high schools in South Africa.
The school has a rich history of academic excellence. Therefore, maintain the position as a top girls’-only high school in the country.
Collegiate High based its ethos and traditions on Christian values and beliefs. Nonetheless, there is acceptance and respect for other religious faiths.
Collegiate isn’t the most expensive school in Port Elizabeth. In fact, the school fee structure is very budget-friendly.
As a school with excellent boarding facilities, the annual hostel fee can go as high as R60 960. However, payment (R 15 240) can be made quarterly – before the start of each term.
8. Westview School
| SCHOOL TYPE | Public |
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | +27 41–365-1223 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | Mowbray St, Newton Park, Gqeberha, 6045 |
| WEBSITE | westviewpe.co.za |
Westview School was born in 1961 as the need for specialized education in Port Elizabeth continued to triple. Right from inception, the school is built around cutting-edge facilities and specialized equipment necessary for quality learning.
In its humble beginnings, there were only about 240 students and fifteen educators. Presently, the school boast 736 learners and 51 educators.
Westview School of Skills is one of only three Schools for Skills Education in the Eastern Cape province. The school provides a platform where learners can hone their skills through vocational skills for students with special needs.
With 11 technical workshops and adequate academic classes, learners are, more often than not, guaranteed quality and education skills acquisition.
Private High Schools in Port Elizabeth
9. Elsen Academy
| SCHOOL TYPE | Private |
| SCHOOL FEES | R 6 636 per month |
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | +27 (041) 582 3289 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | 21 Bird Str, Central Port Elizabeth, 6001 |
| WEBSITE | elsen.co.za |
Elsen Academy is an independent school for boys and girls from Grade 1 to Grade 12. It is situated in Bird Street in central Port Elizabeth.
In 2006, the school opened its doors to accept the first set of 13 learners. Since then, it has remained committed to cater to children who struggle to stay afloat in a much bigger school environment.
However, due to the influx of learners from within and beyond the Central city, the school has been expanded and divided into four schools: Primary (Grades 1-7), High School (Grades 8-12), Vocational School, and Online Learning Center – though, all in one campus.
As an independent school, payment of tuition and fees are quite crucial. Therefore, school fees range from R 6 636 to R 7 670 per month for learners in Grade 8 to Grade 12; and up to R 79 632 to R 92 040 per annum, respectively.
10. Woodridge College & Preparatory School
| SCHOOL TYPE | Private |
| SCHOOL FEES | R13,114 – R16,933 per month |
| GENDER | Co-educational |
| TELEPHONE | 041 492 2395 |
| [email protected] | |
| ADDRESS | Van Staden’s Pass Thornhill, Gqeberha, 6035 |
| WEBSITE | woodridge.co.za |
Woodridge College is a co-educational, private school located in Port Elizabeth. The school offers boarding school facilities for both boys and girls.
As an IEB school, it offers exit examinations through the Independent Examinations Board (affiliated to ISASA). The College offers a myriad of subjects including Advanced Programme English and Advanced Programme Mathematics as well as foreign languages, music, and drama.
Apart from challenging students with a wide variety of advanced subjects and programs, Woodridge College also offers various sporting activities. These include hockey, rugby, cricket, water polo, netball, tennis, squash, running, and mountain biking trails.
At Woodridge College, students are nurtured and developed to prioritize academic excellence. Hence, they are provided a platform that would enable them to exit the school with flying colors.
Final Thoughts
In a city of nearly a million people; where a large proportion of schools are privately-owned and government-funded, post-primary education is increasingly competitive.
Also, like in many provinces and cities across South Africa, there are unarguably a plethora of high schools in Port Elizabeth. From government to private secondary schools, parents are left with a lot of options to choose from.
What’s your take on this list? Did you find it useful? Let us know your query (IF any…) via the comment section below. And, please don’t hesitate to share this post using any of the social media buttons.
