We Own The Future

From cost to curriculum, there are numerous distinctions between public and private schools. Here’s how their applications differ.

What do you do if your child doesn’t have a place for Grade 8? Don’t panic! We outline the steps for parents and guardians to take.

What exactly is an NSC? We unpack the ins and outs of the National Senior Certificate, and how it's different from other qualifications.

High school applications in South Africa are a complicated process. But with our 2024 placement timeline, you’ll be ready to apply to your school of choice.

Check the public high school application process for each province in South Africa, and learn what you need to do to secure a place for your child.

Even at the best of times, parenthood isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a constant balancing act with a lot of responsibility and the pressure to make the right choices for your child and your family.

As a parent, it’s natural to think about your child’s future and how you might give them the best possible chance of success in life. Among concerns for mental health and wellbeing, financial stability later in life is ranked among some of the top concerns by parents in South Africa and globally. Research confirms that the level of post-school study pursued by high school graduates is strongly correlated with earning potential later in life. The real question is not whether it’s a good idea for your child to study after high school, but rather how you could think about supporting them with the big financial outlay required, whether it’s for university or any other tertiary institution. In South Africa, this question is even more relevant and challenging in attempting to break the cycle of generational inequality that exists.

There is immense pressure on parents during a child’s school years, not just in terms of time investment and emotional support, but also in terms of finances. Making choices about schooling is becoming more and more difficult for families. Increasingly, the cost of education is a key consideration. Family circumstances vary enormously, and for many, a local no-fee state school will be the only option; others may have a range of private schools that they can consider.

Choosing the right high school for your child is one of the most significant decisions you'll make as a parent. However, navigating the complex world of high school education costs can be daunting, especially if you're on a tight budget. That's why UCT Online High School has launched a free cost calculator to help you determine what you can afford and make an informed decision about your child's future.

As a parent, it’s normal to aspire to give your child the best possible education to set them up for success in life. However, the rising cost of high school education in South Africa is a growing concern for many parents, even those who have historically been able to afford private schooling.

Budgeting is one of the most important skills you can teach your teenager. Research shows that teenagers who learn financial discipline are more likely to be financially independent as adults. You should start talking to your teenager about money as soon as they are old enough to receive an allowance or get a part-time job.

UCT Online High School releases a comprehensive guide on the real cost of high school in South Africa. Read more to discover how you can prepare financially for the transition to high school.

High school can be a challenging time for learners, as they navigate a wide range of academic, social, and personal pressures. One of the most important things online high school learners can do to stay healthy and balanced during this time is to prioritize self-care. Here are some tips and strategies for high school learners to incorporate self-care into their daily lives.

Discover how online high school can benefit learner-athletes by providing flexibility, personalised learning & the ability to earn university scholarships.

Thinking of transitioning from homeschooling to online school? We break down the differences as well as similarities between online school and homeschooling.

It may take some time to adjust to this new learning environment if you are used to a typical school timetable. Here are some techniques to develop time management skills if you're having difficulty concentrating on your schoolwork, so you can have your best term ever!

Take a look at our list of the best apps for learning that you will ever require as an online learner.

Our 18 month Adult Matric programme aims to give those adults who were unable or never given the opportunity to complete their matric when they were young, a second chance to do so. We believe that it’s never too late to have success at any age.

Banele Lukhele, our Executive Head Of School and Chief Academic Officer, answers a few questions so we can get to know her better!

We’ve made it to the end of our first academic year, and what a year it’s been! Take a look back at what we got up to this year.

We’re pleased to say that we’ll be making some key upgrades that will come into effect from the beginning of the 2023 school year, to better the way we teach the youth of South Africa.

“The Daily Maverick’s three-part article, published 11 December 2022, is misleading, wrong in parts, and irresponsible.” — a comprehensive rebuttal from Rob Paddock, Founder and CEO of Valenture Institute.

Written by Banele Lukhele, Executive Head of School and Chief Academic Officer, UCT Online High School

As more things move online, the more isolated people seem to become. Or at least that’s the common narrative. That, however, isn’t always the case. It doesn’t need to be. The digital space, like any other, can be whatever you need it to be. It can be a place to learn, grow and connect with the added benefit of unlimited reach. That’s the space UCT Online High School has created.

We’re delighted to announce that Banele Lukhele has been appointed as UCT Online High School’s Executive Head of School and Chief Academic Officer! Ms Lukhele will take over from Yandiswa Xhakaza who, after careful consideration, has decided to step down from the role of Director and Principal of UCT Online High School.

Online schooling is a new and growing dimension of education and — correctly — many guardians have questions and concerns before committing their learners to an online school. We welcome both the public interest in the education that we offer at UCT Online High School, and questions from current and potential parents, guardians and learners.

Aside from the outstanding work our learners are doing online, they’re also out there flourishing offline! Learner Spotlight shines a light on the incredible accomplishments our learners achieve, highlighting individual stories about how they’re taking their passions to the next level. From athletes to entrepreneurs and creatives, we couldn’t be more excited about all the talent inside UCT Online High School. And we want to shout it to the world; “look at how brightly our learners shine!”

With the end-of-year examinations just around the corner for high school learners across the country, it is not uncommon for adolescents to talk more about feeling stressed or anxious during this time of the year. Coping during exam season is difficult but stress isn’t always bad!

Aside from the outstanding work our learners are doing online, they’re also out there flourishing offline! Learner Spotlight shines a light on the incredible accomplishments our learners achieve, highlighting individual stories about how they’re taking their passions to the next level. From athletes to entrepreneurs and creatives, we couldn’t be more excited about all the talent inside UCT Online High School. And we want to shout it to the world; “look at how brightly our learners shine!”

Aside from the outstanding work our learners are doing online, they’re also out there flourishing offline! Learner Spotlight shines a light on the incredible accomplishments our learners achieve, highlighting individual stories about how they’re taking their passions to the next level. From athletes to entrepreneurs and creatives, we couldn’t be more excited about all the talent inside UCT Online High School. And we want to shout it to the world; “look at how brightly our learners shine!”

Tessa Venter, Head of School for Cambridge International curriculum, answers a few questions so we can get to know her better!

Aside from the outstanding work our learners are doing online, they’re also out there flourishing offline! Learner Spotlight shines a light on the incredible accomplishments our learners achieve, highlighting individual stories about how they’re taking their passions to the next level. From athletes to entrepreneurs and creatives, we couldn’t be more excited about all the talent inside UCT Online High School. And we want to shout it to the world; “look at how brightly our learners shine!”

To show our appreciation for all the educators who’ve played a special role in our lives, let’s remember why and how this day is celebrated.

If you’re thinking about applying for the Adult Matric Programme at UCT Online High School, here is a breakdown of some important information we think you should know.

Choosing to study again, in an online space can be daunting. Is it something you would be successful at? This is a question only you can answer, but we think so. And it’s possible — with UCT Online High School for Adult Matric.

For the second chancers and the go-getters, UCT Online High School is now offering an Adult Matric programme. This is everything you need to know about Adult Matric.

All the work that we do at UCT Online High School is to create an amazing learning environment for our learners and their guardians. Alicia Cupido enrolled her daughter, Jamie to join us for Grade 11 and shared how their journey has been going.

Sipho Mpisane, UCT Online High School's Head of School for South African National Senior Certificate, answers a few questions so we can get to know him better!

So your child is enrolled in the CAPS curriculum and wants to make the switch to the Cambridge International curriculum, great! The next big question is what goes into making this curriculum switch?

August marks the start of Women’s Month! And each year, on 9 August we celebrate National Women’s Day, a day honouring the strength and resilience of the women who came before us, the women of today and the women who will lead the future.

In celebration of Video Game Day, UCT Online High School hosted a fun-filled afternoon for their learners, jam-packed with all their favourite video games. And, where a Grade 10 learner took on a Southern Hemisphere Tekken Champion — and won!

UCT Online High School is celebrating its first birthday! And we couldn’t be more thrilled about all that we’ve achieved in this first year, since we’ve launched, and all that is still to come. Celebrate with us by taking a stroll down memory lane and having a look back at all the exciting things we got up to since opening our virtual doors.

So you’ve decided to plant your tree of knowledge in the fertile learning environment that is UCT Online High School? What an excellent place to start! The next big question to consider is which curriculum is going to provide the best soil for you to branch out.

One of the many advantages of a Cambridge International curriculum is that it doesn’t restrict a learner to tertiary institutions in their own country but provides a passport to tertiary institutions around the world. It’s a qualification that has worldwide accreditation due to its high academic standards and the excellent tertiary skills it imparts.

There have been many stories of the fly-by-night institution that claims to be something it’s not. Offering bogus qualifications while syphoning thousands out of individuals. The rise of online anything makes it easier to hack and manipulate. Making the digital crooked school an easy get-rich-quick scheme. 

Have you been looking to give your child access to an internationally recognised world-class education? We have just that! Here’s how it works:

The Cambridge Pathway is set up to provide your child with a clear learning path through all the stages of their education. Through the Cambridge Pathway, learners develop a strong knowledge and valuable skills they can carry through life, while also growing their passion for learning. Out of the four stages of this path, UCT Online High School is accredited to offer the Cambridge Upper Secondary and Cambridge Advanced paths, launching in 2024. Read more about it here.

Considering enrolling your child in the Cambridge International curriculum but aren’t sure how it will benefit them in the long run? Here are the 5 top reasons why a Cambridge education at UCT Online High School would benefit your child.

There are many ways to advocate for education! Best-selling author and social media sensation, Yusuf Daniels, does it by touring the country and speaking to learners about various topics. Here’s how his experience has been.

Online learning is not new, however, it’s slowly becoming the ‘new norm’ for learners across the globe. While some may be thriving under this learning system, there are still many guardians who are unsure of whether their child can thrive in this environment too. We got UCT Online High School’s Director and Principal, Yandiswa Xhakaza to break down what kind of child thrives best in an online school environment.

It was in 1918 that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela would be born to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela. He would go on to spend 27 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned, and then, upon his release, create and spread a new mindset of peace and forgiveness. 

Nothing is as daunting as change. By the time you’re the guardian of a high school learner, you’re usually pretty set in your ways. But you clearly know how to move with the times because your child is either learning online or you're thinking about it. Lets dive into how to be a successful online school parent

Don’t let load shedding dim your bright future. There are still plenty of ways to get your study on even without the help of Eskom. Here are a few ways for learners to keep on top of their schoolwork during these dark times.

Winter is upon us and so are the school holidays! So when the weather has you tied up indoors and you’re sick of scrolling through apps, why not develop a fun new skill? Because we’re all about learning something new from the comfort of your own four walls, we’ve compiled a list of free, exciting online courses for you to follow along with to pick up an interesting new skill or learn more about - all for a grand total of R0!

Our mission with UCT Online High School is to remove limitations and unleash the country’s potential by accelerating access to world-class education. But limitations aren’t just physical, are they?

While traditional schools are having to turn learners away due to having too many applicants and not enough space, our digital schooling platform aims to bring some relief to worried parents who are facing the high school application battle by offering a solution.

Following collaborations with Grasshoppers, Coca-Cola and The Powerpuff Girls, South African streetwear brand Grade Africa is heading back to school with a limited edition drop with UCT Online High School. A first of its kind.

Imagine, for a moment, that you had to fight against being taught in a language you didn’t understand.

Aside from the outstanding work our learners are doing online, they’re also out there flourishing offline! Learner Spotlight shines a light on the incredible accomplishments our learners achieve, highlighting individual stories about how they’re taking their passions to the next level. From athletes to entrepreneurs and creatives, we couldn’t be more excited about all the talent inside UCT Online High School. And we want to shout it to the world; “look at how brightly our learners shine!”

At UCT Online High School, the only traffic we care about is web traffic. Luckily for you, you're only a one-click commute away from your bed to your desk, which is wonderful news for those of us who like to lie in. As fun as studying history from beneath your blankets — or doing trigonometry on the couch — sounds, we’ve found that learning works best when sitting at your own dedicated desk.

The times they are a-changin' and today’s youth are spending vastly more time online than ever before.

Schools are in the business of answering questions, some of them big, some of them small, all of them important. This one is close to our hearts.

The key to every child’s future success lies within. It’s our job to nurture our learners by providing the best educational platform and support system possible, for them to unlock their potential.

When it comes to choosing which school to send your loved one to, no question is more important than this one: Is online schooling safe?

We break down how online high school differs from homeschooling for you as a guardian.

Perhaps you’ve been wondering whether online learning is a good fit for you? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five reasons why doing things the UCT Online High School way makes a whole lot of sense.

Remote learning can be tough, especially if you've recently made the transition from a traditional school. To help learners, and guardians too, adjust to their new and exciting learning lifestyles we went straight to the experts, our helpful and supportive Teachers and Support Coaches.