South Africa’s top-performing elite girls school with 4.42 distinctions per matric

Roedean in Johannesburg is one of the best-performing schools in the country, achieving the highest average distinction for a girls-only school in 2024.

Parktown-based Roedean’s average of 4.42 distinctions per candidate was the second best-overall result in the country. This worked out to 292 distinctions from 66 students.

34 of the school’s matrics achieved five or more distinctions, three candidates made the Independent Examination Board’s (IEB’s) Outstanding List, and one made the IEB’s Commendable List.

It was only beaten by the fellow Johannesburg school SAHETI, which achieved an average of 4.5 distinctions per candidate.

Its average was also the highest for any girl’s school in the country, with St Mary’s Waverly (4.20) and Herschel Girls’ School (3.65) behind it.

Roedean’s impressive results came amidst a strong performance for South African schools. The matric pass rate rose to a record high of 87.3% in 2024, up from 60% in 2009.

IEB also announced an overall pass rate of 98.47% in its NSC examinations, slightly higher than the 98.46% seen a year prior.

Roedean, whose history dates back to the start of the twentieth century, is regularly one of the best-performing schools in the country.

The school was founded in 1903 as a sister school to the esteemed Roedean in Brighton, England. The first school, which had 22 pupils, was located in a small house in Johannesburg.

The school now has over 750 pupils from Grade 0 to Matrics, with students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

During its centenary in 2003, the flags of 47 countries representing the nationalities of pupils attending that year were flown.

Life at the school

Roedean said that it tries to achieve the highest academic standards and hopes to develop and sustain an excellent work ethic amongst its students.

The progressive curriculum hopes to foster individual independence of thought amongst its students.

There is also a focus on 21st-century skills, with co-curricular activities developing leadership and other critical skills.

The school also aims to develop pupils in a ‘Proudly South African’ way, helping them become leaders connected to broader issues and communities in both a South African and global context.

The strong results from Roedean’s students often see them enjoy overwhelming success in their placement at local universities in their course of choice.

Many have also gained places at international universities, illustrating the school’s international competitiveness.

There is also a major change at the school, with Phuti Mogale taking over as the Head of the Senior School in July 2025. She leaves her role as Deputy Headmistress at St Mary’s Waverley

Mogale has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Wits University and a Certificate in Practical Legal Training from UNISA. She also holds a PGCE from UNISA.

In addition to its academic success, the school offers a host of sports, including diving, swimming, water polo, squash, tennis, hockey, netball, soccer, equestrian, rock climbing, and cross-country.

The school’s campus is also elite, with a maths centre, science laboratories, a chapel, heritage gardens, a library and state-of-the-art boarding features.

Roedean is not cheap. In 2025, the school’s boarding fees rose by 7.5% to R387,093, and the fees for day students rose by 7.5% to R218,877.

Inside Roedean school for girls