TOP 10: Best Primary Schools in Durban, KZN, 2021

From pre-primary, boarding, to private primary schools in Durban; this post comprises the top 10 best primary schools in Durban Central, North, East, and West.

With over seventy primary schools in Durban, only a few can be termed as “the best”. Durban houses some of the country’s top public and private schools and institutions. From primary school to universities and colleges, Durban pride itself as one of South Africa’s cities with many academic institutions.

As the country’s population keeps skyrocketing over the past years, so is the search for the best primary schools in Durban. In a country where primary school education is of utmost importance, and in many cases, compulsory. Literally, every parent is now actively looking for top government and independent primary schools in Durban to send their children to.

Check Also: Top 10 Best Primary Schools in Pretoria

Being the third-most populous city in South Africa—after Johannesburg and Cape Town. The city of Durban is the largest in the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal with a population of approximately 3.7 million residences. Durban has the highest number of dollar millionaires added per year of any South African city. Durban is one of South Africa’s cities with a number of primary schools and higher institutions. Although Durban’s economy is almost completely driven by Sugar refining, education is another sector that is growing exponentially.

There are nearly 100, or more schools in Durban. However, primary schools account for most of the schools in the city. As a city with potentially firm economic and population growth, it is increasingly important to find and send your child to a good school, whether public or private. To ease off the stress that comes with searching for a perfect school; this article is going to help you find ten of the best primary schools in Durban.

Below is the list of the top 10 best primary schools in Durban. These schools comprise all the top independent and government primary schools.

Top 10 Best Primary Schools in Durban

1. Durban Primary School (DPS)

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 SCHOOL FEE R14 500 - R15 500 (payable over 10 months) TELEPHONE 031-2051077 ADDRESS 15 Lindley Place, Umbilo, Durban, 4001 SCHOOL TYPE Public WEBSITE durbanprimary.co.za

Durban Primary School often referred to as DPS, is a premier Grades R-7 school in the coastal city of KwaZulu-Natal. DPS is arguably one of the best primary schools in Durban. The school was established in 1912 with fewer than 100 pupils and has since grown exponentially to become one of the most sought after primary schools in Durban. This rapid growth stems from the amalgamation of Stellawood Primary and Stella Park Primary school in 1986.

Durban Primary School pride itself on quality education, as they remain committed to providing the best possible opportunities for your child. DPS offers a wide variety of extramural fun activities, including Music, Drama, Art, Book Club, Swimming, Ball skills, Mini-soccer, Mini-cricket, Mini-hockey, etc. However, quality education and smaller class sizes remain the two most important facets of DPS.

DPS has also served as a feeder school for many top high schools in Durban. Many of its past pupils are performing exceedingly well in their respective secondary schools.

2. Glenwood Preparatory School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES 1 - 7 SCHOOL FEE R26 400 per annum TELEPHONE 031 201 5165 EMAIL info@glenwoodprep.co.za ADDRESS 1 Bath Road, Glenwood, Durban SCHOOL TYPE Private WEBSITE glenwoodprep.co.za

Glenwood Preparatory School is recognized as one of the foremost primary schools in Durban. Established in 1910, it has nurtured and developed a number of highly regarded leaders and successful men and women in every sphere of society. Glenwood Prep not only boasts of academic, cultural, and sporting excellence, it is also known for its close cooperation between teacher, parent, and pupils. The school has and maintains very high teaching standards. Learners from Junior through to Senior Primary are made to participate in all kinds of curricular and extra-academic activities.

As an independent school, Glenwood Prep offers students’ a plethora of opportunities to learn and excel. In addition, the school also boasts of boarding establishments that comprise a swimming pool, well-decorated bedrooms, lounge area, dining room, and computer facility.

3. St James Durban

GENDER Co-educational GRADES 1 - 7 SCHOOL FEE R26 000 to R33 000 per annum TELEPHONE 031 309 7013 EMAIL applications.stjames@gmail.com ADDRESS 130 Mathews Meyiwa Road, Greyville, Durban, 4001 SCHOOL TYPE Private WEBSITE stjamesdurban.com

St James School, also known as St James Durban, is a private (independent), co-educational school in Durban, providing education to over 150 children from Reception to Grade 7. The school provides teaching of basics subjects such as Reading & Literature, Writing, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science and Technology; innovative in its teaching of Sanskrit and Thinking Through Philosophy. They also offer a wide range of subjects includes of: Music, Art, Speech & Drama, Life Orientation, isiZulu as a First Additional Language, Economic & Management Sciences, and Arts & Culture. Founded in 2007, it is one of a few primary schools in Durban offering quality education to children from less privileged homes and backgrounds. St James aims to provide a solid academic foundation to children irrespective of their financial class.

As an independent school with a difference, St James Durban strives to make education more affordable to a wide range of children in Durban and beyond.

4. Chelsea Preparatory School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 SCHOOL FEE R37 200 per annum TELEPHONE +27 (031) 581 7660 EMAIL chelsea@chelseaprep.co.za ADDRESS 30 Chelsea Drive, Durban North 4051 SCHOOL TYPE Independent WEBSITE chelseaprep.co.za

Chelsea Preparatory School is a well established preparatory school situated in Durban North. The school is divide into two campuses: Junior Primary and Senior Primary. These two campuses jointly cater to children from Reception up to Grade 7. Having transitioned into one of the leading primary schools in Durban North, Chelsea Prep maintains its focus on developing the whole child. The vast majority of teachers at Chelsea Prep has spent over thirty years, and the overall school management has also been very stable over the past years.

From the Junior Primary up to Senior, learners are developed and nurtured in a safe and friendly environment where they can learn and thrive.

The sporting and cultural departments of the school has expanded tremendously over the past few years. These help children to grow in confidence and also teaches them the importance of teamwork.

Top Primary Schools in Durban North

5. Durban North Primary School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 SCHOOL FEE R25 900 - R29 300 per annum TELEPHONE 031 564 5510, 031 563 7289 EMAIL admin@dnps.co.za ADDRESS 22 Sunfield Place 4051 Durban North SCHOOL TYPE Fee-paying WEBSITE dnps.co.za

Durban North Primary School, usually abbreviated as DNPS, is a Grade R to Grade 7 primary school located in Durban. DNPS first opened its doors to 111 learners in early 1960, and its growth has risen steadily since then. If there is anything the school is known for, it has to be its warm, caring teachers and the neatly maintained environment. Learners are house in extremely impressive classrooms with air-conditioning and Smartboard technology; eBeams and data projectors are also installed in all classrooms, making learning more fun. In addition to the state-of-the-art facilities it possesses, DNPS boast of a Media Centre, equipped with over a dozen computers as well as Smart TVs. DNPS is an epitome of a 21st-century primary school, just to say the least, and it is unarguably one of the best primary schools in Durban.

6. Penzance Primary School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES 1 - 7 SCHOOL FEE R28 710 per annum TELEPHONE (031) 205 2271/2 EMAIL post@penzance.co.za ADDRESS 10 Bartle Road, Durban Durban 4001 SCHOOL TYPE Fee-paying WEBSITE penzance.co.za

Penzance Primary School is, arguably one of the leading primary school in Durban. Located on the Bartle Road in Durban, its history can be traced back to 1920 when it was established. Started in 1920 with just 54 pupils on the register, the school reached a remarkable effect the following year and is actively growing to become one of the best primary schools in Durban. With its stimulating and supportive learning environment, learners are enhanced and nurtured to achieve their full potential. Penzance comprises two Academic Phases: The Foundation Phase and The Intermediate And Phase. The Foundation Phase consists of Grade 1, 2, and 3, while the Intermediate and Senior Phases caters to learners from Grade 4 through Grade 7.

At Penzance Primary School, students are engaged through stimulating teaching in a wide range of curricular and extra-curricular activities. However, like many primary schools in Durban, Penzance Primary is a fee-paying school. Tuition fees are payable annually.

7. Berea Primary School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 SCHOOL FEE R16 900 per annum TELEPHONE 031 201 7568 EMAIL info@bereaprimaryschool.co.za ADDRESS 20 Bellevue Rd, Berea, Durban, 4001 SCHOOL TYPE Fee-paying WEBSITE bereaprimaryschool.co.za

Berea Primary School is a well established Primary School, catering to children from Grade R to Grade 7. As part of its efforts to build a school where love and care thrives, the school strives to meet the demands of its students and society in a changing world. It is for this reason that the school today boasts of relatively high academic achievements over the past years. In order to provide quality education, Berea Primary provides a safe and secure environment where each individual is developed and nurtured to reach their full potential. In addition, learners are groomed to be research-minded and are actively encouraged to utilize the Media Centre and Computer Room to their advantage.

There are 3 Grade R classes and 3 classes each from Grade 1 to Grade 3. However, the first year of school at Berea Primary School is known as the Foundation Phase. The school is co-educational from Grade R to Grade 3, but become an all-girls school from Grade 4 to Grade 7.

8. Northlands Primary School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 TELEPHONE +27 (0)31 564 2369 EMAIL nps@northlandsprimary.co.za ADDRESS 20 Gleneagles Drive Durban North 4051 WEBSITE northlandsprimary.co.za

Northlands Primary School is situated in Durban North and caters to learners from Grade R (Junior Phase) to Grade 7 (Senior Phase). The school caters to every type of child in academic, sporting, and cultural spheres. However, in order to prepare and educate children for the 21st-century and beyond, Northlands Primary has embraced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to keep the students actively involved in science, tech, and maths.

As a school with exciting academic records, Northlands Primary bank on its committed staff to provide an excellent holistic education.

That said, whether you are looking for an ideal prep school for your child, or simply in quest for a school where your child can realize his/her full potential, then this school deserves a nod.

9. Rosehill Primary School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 SCHOOL FEE R12 870 - R14 300 per annum TELEPHONE 031 564 1593 EMAIL info@rosehillprimary.co.za ADDRESS 225 Buttery Road Durban North 4051 SCHOOL TYPE Fee-paying WEBSITE rosehillprimary.co.za

Rosehill Primary School is a co-educational, fee-paying primary school in Durban. Situated on Buttery Road, the school serves a large chunk of families across the city of Durban. As a primary school institution with a solid Christian background, Rosehill Primary strives to ensure that all the students achieve their potential and become well-respected citizens of society.

Having said that, every good education, apparently, comes at a cost, and Rosehill is no exception. Rosehill Primary is a fee-paying school. However, at the time of writing this article, it is one of the cheapest primary schools in Durban, with tuition fees ranging between R12 870 and R14 300. For more information regarding the most up-to-date tuition and fees kindly visit the school web page.

10. Star Primary School

GENDER Co-educational GRADES R - 7 TELEPHONE 031 2627190 EMAIL primaryhigh@starcollege.co.za ADDRESS 20 Kinloch Avenue, Westville North 3630,Durban WEBSITE starprimary.co.za

Star College Primary School is last but not least of the top 10 primary schools in Durban. Established in 1998, the school has played a key role in building and maintaining a good relationship between South Africa and Turkey in educational, cultural and social fields. Since its inception, Little Star has stayed committed to empowering students so they reach their true potentials. Through holistic approach and quality education, students are developed to become the best. To foster students development, Little Stars provides a handful of brain stimulating programmes such as: Learn through play, Toys and Games, Love and Care, Education Services, Child Care, and Physical Activities.

Conclusion

In South Africa, today, the vast majority of parents almost completely rely on online information for decision making and comparisons. In terms of schooling, it is now a norm for parents to search online for a reputable school before actually having their child enrolled. In this article, we have reviewed what we deemed are the top 10 primary schools in Durban. And more often than not, there are some reputable schools that will always make the list. In this context, however, there are few known names in the list, such as; Woodlands primary school Durban, Morningside primary school, Durban East primary school, and Greyville primary school Durban, etc. So, if you are planning to send your child off to a primary school in Durban, this article will help you find the best primary school in the city.

GENDER	Co-educational
GRADES	1 – 7
SCHOOL FEE	R26 400 per annum
TELEPHONE	031 201 5165
EMAIL	info@glenwoodprep.co.za
ADDRESS	1 Bath Road, Glenwood, Durban
SCHOOL TYPE	Private
WEBSITE	glenwoodprep.co.za