The woman who started the only South African girls school ranked among the top 100 in the world
St Anne’s Diocesan College is the only South African all-girls school ranked among the top 100 private schools in the world.
It began with one woman’s decision to build a new kind of educational space for South African girls in the late 19th century.
At the end of 1876, Miss Emma Cresswell left the well-established St Mary’s College in Richmond to start something from scratch in Pietermaritzburg.
Backed by the Anglican Church and supported by Bishop William Kenneth Macrorie, she opened a small school in a rented Presbyterian manse with just over 40 girls.
It was a modest start, and Bishop Macrorie admitted in a letter at the time that the building was too small, but there were no alternative premises available.
Despite these humble beginnings, the school quickly grew in size and reputation. By late 1877, it had adopted the name St Anne’s Diocesan College.
Cresswell herself stayed for less than three years, resigning in July 1879. However, her role as founder set the foundation for what would eventually become one of South Africa’s top private schools.
The school’s register from September 1879, written in one of the teachers’ copperplate handwriting at the time, recorded nine boarders and six day scholars.
A major turning point came in 1904, when St Anne’s relocated from Pietermaritzburg to Hilton Avenue in the small village of Hilton.
The move was driven by the search for a cooler climate and more room to expand, and it allowed the school to grow into the spacious, well-resourced institution it is known as today.
The early curriculum reflected the era’s values and ambitions but was broad for its time.
Students were taught religious knowledge, English language and literature, history, geography, French, Latin, elementary science, mathematics, drawing, singing, needlework, and nature study, which even included scientific beekeeping and gardening.
Additional classes, such as bookkeeping, wood carving, and dancing, provided girls with exposure to practical and cultural skills.
One of the top private schools in the world
Over nearly 150 years, this foundation has evolved into a modern academic programme.
Today, St Anne’s is far removed from the small manse where it began. It has become a globally recognised institution known for its academic performance and its approach to developing confident young women.
For the 2024 matric class, St Anne’s achieved a 100% bachelor’s pass rate under the Independent Examinations Board system, with an average of 3.5 distinctions per student.
This strong academic reputation has held for decades, but it is only one part of what has earned the school international recognition.
In 2025, Spear’s Magazine ranked St Anne’s among the top 100 private schools in the world—the only all-girls South African school to appear on the list.
Compiled in partnership with Thuso and guided by education specialists worldwide, the annual index evaluates far more than exam results.
Spear’s looks at cultural life, social development, pastoral care, diversity, inclusivity, and the sense of identity a school instils in its students.
Reputation and character matter as much as academic statistics, and St Anne’s, the magazine noted, has excelled in shaping young women who are well-rounded, resilient, and equipped for leadership.
In its review, Spear’s highlighted that St Anne’s graduates often secure places at top universities both locally and abroad.
The school’s strong sporting culture was also emphasised. Its expansive grounds support hockey, netball, tennis, football, and swimming, while students also have opportunities for canoeing, cross-country running, and horse riding.
Activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and cultural tours are embedded in the school’s approach to building confidence and independence.
The magazine noted that this echoed the values that have been part of its character since the early days of nature study and outdoor learning.
Spear’s described St Anne’s as a school that has consistently blended academic strength with emotional and social development.
It added that it is an institution that prepares girls not only for university but also for leadership roles across industries and continents.
This legacy traces back to Emma Cresswell, whose decision in 1877 to establish a small school in a cramped manse ultimately led to one of the world’s leading all-girls institutions.
For families considering the school today, the annual fees for 2025 were R314,600 for boarders and R169,640 for day scholars, which reflects its position as a premium private institution.
St Anne’s Diocesan College
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