‍From brick-and-mortar public and private schools to online high schools and homeschooling, there are a lot of pathways to a quality education. And each has its own process when it comes to applying for high school.

Whether you know exactly where you want your child to go for high school or are still assessing your options, chances are you’re wondering how to actually submit the application. 

Because applications processes differ, it can get a little confusing. To help clear things up, we’ve put together an overview of each application process – for public schools, private schools, online schools and homeschooling. 

We’ll outline the main steps involved in submitting an application, and when this all needs to be done by. 

How to apply to public school in South Africa

Applications for public high schools are the responsibility of the Department of Education. 

Depending on where you live, the process may involve applying through: 

(1) a single online portal 

(2) individual school websites

(3) a paper application form that’s delivered at a school in-person 

Take a look below for a summary of how this works in each South African province.

As part of your application, you’ll need to gather various documents (such as ID documents, your child’s birth certificate, school reports etc.). Take a look at the application form to confirm the required documents. These may differ for different provinces and schools. 

It’s recommended that you begin the application process when your child is in Grade 7 and should apply to at least three different schools (including at least one that’s near to where you live).

For more information on the application process for each province, check out our article: Applying to public high school for 2025: A province by province overview

How to apply to private school in South Africa 

Applications for private high schools are managed by individual schools, usually via the admissions office. 

Typically, you’ll apply through the school websites or submit a paper application in-person at the school. Like public school applications, private schools also require you to submit documentation with your application. The specific documents will depend on the school.

As a general rule, you should apply to private schools no later than January of the year before your child is due to start high school. Some schools recommend applying for Grade 8 as much as 18 months prior to the year of study.  

Unlike public schools, to apply to a private high school, you’ll need to pay an application fee. Your child may also need to attend entrance exams and interviews.

Private schools receive a high number of applications, so it’s possible you’ll be placed on a waiting list. In these cases, the school’s enrolment or admissions office will keep you up to date about the status of your application.

For more information, take a look at our article on the differences between applying to private and public schools.

How to apply to online high schools

Online high schools are an increasingly popular choice for parents looking for competitive fees and an innovative approach to education.

As an extra bonus, online schools usually have greater flexibility when it comes to application timelines and the size of online classes. This means that you can apply to these institutions later than brick-and-mortar schools and still secure a place for your child.

But we would still recommend applying in advance just to be safe, even if you’re only considering online high school as a backup option. 

Many online high schools will also charge an application fee. At UCT Online High School, you’ll pay an application fee of R50 for CAPS or R400 for Cambridge International. 

To apply for an online high school, you’ll need to complete an online application and submit supporting documents. If you want to apply to UCT Online High School, you can do so here or contact us for more information. 

Lastly, if you choose an online high school for your child, you’ll need to register them as a homeschooler until they complete Grade 9.

How to register for homeschooling

If you choose to homeschool your child you’ll also need to register them with the Department of Education.

The process is relatively simple. First, you need to visit the Department of Basic Education’s website and download the application form for your province. There’ll also be required documents that you need to submit along with the application.

Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll submit it via email to the email address provided on the application form.

Learn more about the different application processes

If you’d like more detailed information on the various application processes, you can consult our handy guide to high school applications for parents and guardians.

This guide contains everything you need to know about applying to high school for 2025: from application timelines, to criteria that’ll help you select the right high school for your child and to the different procedures to follow for each of your schooling options.

And if you’re already set on online high school, make your application or get in touch with a friendly Admissions Consultant to begin the process.