Cities / Johannesburg / St John's College Johannesburg
St John's College Johannesburg
Independent Anglican boys' school in Houghton offering British curriculum from Bridge Nursery through Sixth Form, with IGCSE, Cambridge A-Levels, and the IEB matric. Around 1,500 students, including 240 boarders; 2026 fees run from ZAR 87,076 (Bridge Nursery) to ZAR 232,974…
In brief
Founded 1898 in Houghton Estate, St John's is an Anglican boys' day and boarding school widely regarded as one of South Africa's tier-one institutions, with a co-educational sixth form.
Five schools on one architecturally striking campus: pre-prep, prep, college, the Bridge nursery, and a co-ed sixth form. IEB plus Cambridge A Levels at the top end. Around 1,500 boys aged 3 to 18. Heads of school is Stuart West.
Parents talk about strong academics paired with serious sport. Saturday fixtures are compulsory from prep onwards. Rugby, cricket, hockey, basketball, and water polo all run deep. Music and debate carry equal status to sport, which is unusual at this tier. The community is religious and traditional but openly inclusive, with a notable diversity of pupils for a school of its kind. Newcomers report being welcomed quickly. Boys leave with strong school identity as Johannians and a track record of placement at top universities locally and abroad.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Nursery (Grades 0000, 000, 00) | 3 | Annual | ZAR 87,076 |
| Pre-Prep Grade 0 | 6 | Annual | ZAR 128,462 |
| Pre-Prep Grades 1-2 | 7 | Annual | ZAR 135,393 |
| Prep Grades 3-7 | 8 | Annual | ZAR 182,204 |
| College/Sixth Form Grades 8-12 | 13 | Annual | ZAR 232,974 |
| Development Levy (per annum) | One-time | ZAR 11,876 | |
| Weekly Boarding (per annum) | One-time | ZAR 134,066 | |
| Termly Boarding (per annum) | One-time | ZAR 164,328 |
Reviews
- Recurring praise for academics, drama, art and music; one of the more academic and cultural choices among Johannesburg's tier-one boys' schools.
- Boarding is the way most families say the school pays off. One parent wrote, "We have never been disappointed."
- Rugby crowds out other sports. Ex-students describe an over-fixation on the rugby programme and a thin offer in other codes.
- Prefect culture and bullying. Reviewers cite prefects with disproportionate power and a hostile transition for new boys in Grade 8.
- Compulsory chapel and an Anglican identity that some students find heavy-handed.
- Race and inclusion remain live issues. Coverage and alumni accounts describe a 1970s,80s history of racism toward early black pupils, and a 2017 City Press piece raised more recent concerns; the school has since pushed inclusion initiatives.
- Architecturally striking Houghton campus and a strong cultural circuit (marimba band, drama, choir) come up repeatedly in alumni mentions.
Head of school
Stuart West
Stuart West is the Executive Headmaster of St John's College, where he has been instrumental in fostering a culture of academic excellence and character development among students. His leadership has guided the school through various challenges, including the pandemic, while maintaining a focus on holistic education.
Academic results
- A-Level A*/A (2025) 33%
- IEB Pass Rate (2025) 100%
- IEB Bachelor Degree Pass (2025) 90%