These 5 SA private schools rank among the world’s best

IN A bright moment for education in South Africa, five private schools have secured places in the coveted Spear’s Magazine 2025 Schools Index - a benchmark list of the top 100 private schools globally.

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It’s a strong sign that South Africa’s independent-school sector is excelling on the world stage.

What the index measures

The Spear’s Schools Index, now in its sixth year, is compiled by a panel of international education experts.

While academic and examination performance remain important, the ranking places heavy emphasis on broader criteria — such as reputation, social and cultural impact, and value-based factors. “In some cases, schools with strong academics have been omitted where they fall short in relation to these wider considerations,” Spear’s has noted.

The top South African schools