Choosing a high school for your child is a big milestone. If your child is in Grade 6 or 7, you’re probably already thinking about academics, but also school culture, fees, future opportunities, and whether your child will actually feel at home there.
That decision often connects to bigger family decisions too – school fees, daily commutes, and even whether it makes sense to move closer to your chosen school.
Durban has some of the best schools in the country with a wide range of options to suit every child. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best high schools in Durban and the surrounding area, with everything you need to know to make the best decision for your child.
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Rooted in tradition and Christian values, Durban Girls’ College is one of Durban’s most prestigious all-girls schools, known for producing confident, high-achieving young women with a strong academic record, who excel both inside and outside the classroom
Based on its 2025 matric results, it ranked 3rd among independent girls’ schools in South Africa and 1st in KwaZulu-Natal in the BusinessTech Top Schools ranking.
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As Durban’s oldest high school, founded in 1866, Durban High School has a well-established legacy of providing young boys with a leading secondary education. It’s known for its strong rugby and leadership culture with a lasting alumni network.
Though it follows the CAPS curriculum, it also offers Cambridge International, Brave Generation Academy, and an Electives Programme, giving its students opportunities to expand their educational journey and set up their future.
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Sport-focused boys wanting an all-round high school experience typically choose Glenwood High School. Balance between an academic focus and recreational enjoyment is at the school's centre, referring to its extensive sports and co-curricular programme as the ‘other half’.
Its diverse offering includes the staples like rugby, cricket, and water polo, but expands to more unique activities like softball, sailing, eSports, and even surfing. Embedded in this culture is an emphasis on community and brotherhood.
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For over 75 years, Northwood School has been providing boys with an academic, sporting, and cultural education. On top of its CAPS curriculum, its Northwood Cambridge Academy expands its students' tertiary horizons by offering the internationally recognised Cambridge curriculum.
Its ethos is rooted in sending well-rounded young men of conscience into the world, where Gr 8 learners enter as ‘Squires’ and develop into ‘Knights’ by Gr 12, ready to go into the world as men.
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The word that typically comes to mind when you mention Westville Boys’ High School is ‘RUGBY’. It’s widely regarded as one of South Africa’s top rugby schools.
But it’s not just a sports school. It focuses on an all-round education, integrating academics, sports, arts, and leadership, while developing intellectual, creative, and interpersonal skills. This comes together in the Griffin Academy – an innovative programme that offers personalised coaching, training and courses to learners, potential WBHS learners, and the broader Westville community.
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Maintaining a 100% pass rate since 1991, Westville Girls’ High School is understandably consistently ranked among the top public girls’ schools in South Africa.
At the core of WGHS is a holistic approach to education. So on top of their academic rigour, they encourage girls to balance their lives with sport and cultural activities. They offer a wide range for learners to choose from, with more unique options from creative writing and debating to equestrian, rock climbing, and softball.
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Sister school to Glenwood High School, Durban Girls’ High School stands out not only for its academic excellence but also for its accessibility as one of the more affordable options.
For 29 years, DGHS has maintained a 100% pass rate. They’re known for their extensive facilities, acclaimed art program, and comprehensive student support services.
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For families open to boarding, Hilton College is widely known as one of the most prestigious boys’ schools in South Africa. Set on a sprawling 1,762 ha estate in Hilton, it offers a full-boarding model, a competitive academic environment, and an emphasis on raising capable, grounded young men through a broad, all-round education.
Rooted in 150 years of tradition, school life is built around belonging, character, and independence, with boarding houses designed to create a strong sense of family and brotherhood.
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Set in the KZN Midlands, Michaelhouse is an elite boys’ boarding school with a long-standing reputation for producing well-rounded young men. Within its iconic rural setting, the school places a strong emphasis on an all-round education.
With its full-boarding environment, strong house system, and access to hundreds of hectares of indigenous forest within the Michaelhouse Reserve, school life extends well beyond lessons, fostering lifelong friendships.
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St Mary’s DSG is one of the leading private school options, known for its strong values, nurturing environment, and balanced approach to education. Through excellent work ethic, committed teacher support, and an EQ-focused programme, St Mary’s DSG has achieved a 100% pass rate for more than four decades.
Its state-of-the-art facilities, comprehensive and diverse list of sports and cultural activities, and innovative approach to education provide girls with every opportunity to grow into well-rounded, confident, and capable young women.
To find the perfect high school for your child, there are a few factors to consider:
Finding the right high school for your child often goes hand in hand with finding the right area to live in. For many Durban families, that means thinking not only about academics, culture, and fees, but also about catchment areas, qualifying suburbs, and what kind of daily routine will work best once Grade 8 begins.
If moving closer to your preferred school is part of the plan, Wise Move can help make that next step easier.
Whether you’re relocating across KZN or moving to a nearby suburb, you can easily book trusted movers in Durban and find the right option for your family’s budget, timeline, and needs.
