Top South African private school shut down despite 3.4 distinctions per matric

·22 Feb 2026

King David Victory Park has officially closed its doors, even as its final matric class produced some of the strongest academic results in the country.

Founded in 1960 to serve the Jewish communities of Emmarentia, Greenside and Victory Park, the campus grew into a full Grade 1-to-Matric school.

It formed part of the broader King David Schools network, the largest Jewish school system in South Africa, which includes campuses in Linksfield and Sandton as well as affiliated pre-primary schools.

The decision to shut the campus was taken by the South African Board of Jewish Education after a lengthy consultation process and review of the school’s long-term sustainability and its role within the wider network.

General director Rabbi Ricky Seeff said last year that the closure came down to declining enrolment and an inability to maintain the full academic and extracurricular offering expected from a King David school.

He explained that the school’s aim is to provide “teaching excellence, a wide array of subjects, a robust sports programme and world-class sports facilities.”

However, student numbers at Victory Park had dropped in most grades to levels where maintaining that standard became difficult.

At the same time, the Jewish population of Johannesburg has increasingly concentrated in north-eastern suburbs such as Sandton, Glenhazel and Linksfield, strengthening enrolment pipelines at other campuses while weakening Victory Park’s intake.

Seeff said the closure forms part of a long-term consolidation strategy designed to create a more sustainable system.

The plan is to reduce from 10 schools on 5 campuses to 7 schools on 4 campuses, creating a unified “ONE King David” that is more resilient, efficient, and sustainable.

Speaking to the Jewish Report, Seeff said the property has not yet been sold, although prospective buyers have expressed interest.

The education board is also working with the local synagogue to ensure it secures a long-term home, with its future location tied to the eventual campus sale.

Outstanding matric results

Additionally, Seeff noted that staff and parents have begun cataloguing decades of memorabilia so the school’s heritage is not lost.

He added that there is 60 years of history to preserve, from archives and trophies to cultural artefacts, and plans are in place to display them across other campuses.

The initial announcement of the closure sparked anxiety among families, many of whom had deliberately chosen the school for its smaller classes and distinctive culture.

Some parents were second- and third-generation alumni who wanted their children to experience the same environment that shaped their own upbringing.

Counselling and psychologists were offered to pupils affected by the transition, particularly those who had previously moved campuses. About 70% of those students returned to Linksfield alongside friends.

Overall, the network retained around 90% of learners and 85% of staff during the consolidation.

Despite the emotional upheaval, the Class of 2025 delivered exceptional results. Every student achieved a Bachelor’s degree pass for university entrance, a significant accomplishment.

Nearly 50% of the group attained an A average, and the school ranked as the sixth-best performing co-educational private school nationally, according to BusinessTech’s ranking.

The school recorded 3.44 distinctions per candidate and placed them among the country’s top performers, even compared with sister campuses.

Head of school Mandy Gruzd said the cohort’s achievements reflected resilience and determination in a year overshadowed by uncertainty.

She described the group of 43 pupils as united by shared history and mutual support, navigating the announcement of their school’s closure with courage while still participating widely in sport, culture, Judaica and service activities.

“Their involvement reflected commitment to a holistic education which values growth beyond the classroom, recognising the importance of balance, leadership, and a positive attitude,” she said.