The 75-year-old Johannesburg school group with a 100% pass rate and 2.32 distinctions per learner
St Peter’s College in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, is one of the top-performing private schools in South Africa and is cheaper than other top private schools and achieves higher marks.
The school achieved a 100% pass rate among its 140 matriculants in 2024, with 98% of candidates earning a Bachelor’s Degree pass and the remaining 2% receiving a Diploma Pass.
Twenty-four results were in the IEB’s Top 1%, with one student receiving 100% for Maths. Four students made it onto the IEB’s Outstanding Achievement List.
The candidates achieved 325 subject distinctions, averaging 2.32 per candidate, an impressive result, even if it didn’t crack the top 10 for co-education schools in South Africa in 2024.
That said, the school outperformed some of the best private boys-only schools at a far cheaper cost.
The 2.32 distinctions per candidate would beat the 2.30 at St. Alban’s College in Pretoria and the 2.20 distinctions at the Durban schools’ Clifton School and Kearsney College.
It also comes at a far cheaper cost for day students, with St Peter’s charging R164,661 per year for matric students in 2025.
Kearney charges R257,510 for matric day students, the most of any school in the country. St Alban’s charges R201,060, while Clifton costs R206,306.
That said, among South Africa’s top private schools, St Peter’s saw the most significant jump in prices for day students, jumping by 12% from 2024 to 2025.
The College forms part of the St Peter’s Anglican Diocesan school family, which includes a pre-prep, boy’s prep, girl’s prep and the co-education College.
The school’s family focuses on personal achievement within an environment that balances high academic standards with sport, music, culture, and each child’s development.
| Rank | School | Location | 2024 fees | 2025 fees | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kearsney College | Botha’s Hill, KZN | R240 900 | R257 510 | 6.9% |
| 2 | St John’s College | Johannesburg, GP | R206 768 | R220 828 | 6.8% |
| 3 | Roedean School for Girls | Johannesburg, GP | R203 607 | R218 877 | 7.5% |
| 4 | Bishops College | Cape Town, WC | R199 650 | R213 240 | 6.8% |
| – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 28 | Brescia House | Johannesburg, GP | R157 645 | R168 523 | 6.9% |
| 28 | St Peter’s College, Sunninghill | Johannesburg, GP | R146 912 | R164 661 | 12% |
| 29 | Bridge House | Franschhoek, WC | R151 800 | R164 330 | 8.2% |
St Peter’s College’s History
St Peter’s history dates back to 1948 when Stanley Dodon retired as the Headmaster of St John’s Prep School to his small farm, Rietfontein, situated in open country 25km North of Johannesburg.
In 1950, St Peters’ Prep School opened its doors to its first 12 pupils on Rietfontein farm. In 1959, the Diocese of Johannesburg named St Peter’s its second Anglican boys’ school.
When Dodson retired for the second time in 1962, the school had 180 boys and became a well-established, highly respected school.
Three decades later, in January 1998, St Peter’s College opened in Sunninghill, driven by the boys’ parents and supported by the Council.
This initiative responded to an increasing shortage of independent co-educational high schools in the Sandton area and the need to provide education appropriate to the changing environment.
In 2006, St Peter’s Prep Girls School opened in the former boys’ boarding establishment. It reached full strength at Grade 7 in 2012.
In 2020, St Peter’s Pre-Prep for Girls opened its doors, catering to Grades 000 and 00m, meaning that the school offers education to those aged 4 to 18.
Academic and cultural activities
Although the school acknowledges that educating minds and exercising bodies is essential in turning out brilliant academics, it believes there is more to education.
The school believes that a ‘sense of perspective, a sense of humour, relating to others, taking on responsibility and being accountable for one’s actions ‘ is essential in education.
St Peter’s College’s co-curricular programme has over 30 activities across the sports and cultural arenas.
Students in grades 8 and 9 must participate in a sport and a cultural activity each term, while students in grades 10 to 12 must participate in either a sport or a cultural activity each term.
Regarding sports, the school offers athletics, basketball, chess, cricket, dance, equestrian, golf, hockey, netball, rugby, soccer, swimming, squash, tennis and water polo.
The Springboks often train at St Peter’s College and complimented the quality of our fields and facilities. Several international soccer teams have also used St Peter’s fields to train.
The school’s cultural department offers several activities, including art, choir, drama, first aid, an investment club, music, newspaper, photography, robotics and more.
A significant change coming to the school is Annabel Roberts’s appointment as the New Executive Head, beginning in May 2025.
Roberts previously served as the Head of Senior School and Acting Head of Junior School at Roedan and will become the first female head at St Peter’s.
“Throughout her career, Annabel has been a passionate advocate for academic excellence, holistic education, and strong community engagement,” the school said.
“Known for her dynamic leadership and innovative approach to education, Annabel is poised to lead the school to even greater success, continuing to build on the strong foundation laid by her predecessors.”
St Peter’s Images
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