Durban Girls High School Fees | Application | Subjects 2024-2025
Durban Girls High School: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Students
Founded in 1882, Durban Girls High School (DGHS) is an all-girls public school located in Glenwood, Durban. It’s known for its excellent academic achievements and a diverse array of extracurricular activities. If you’re contemplating enrolling your daughter in this esteemed institution, here’s an in-depth guide to assist your decision-making.
Application Steps
For those looking to join the DGHS community, here are the general steps involved in the application process:
Visit the Durban Girls High School Website: Familiarize yourself with the school’s ethos, achievements, and what they offer.
Obtain the Application Form: This can be downloaded from the school’s website or picked up in person.
Gather the Necessary Documents:
Copy of the student’s birth certificate or passport.
Most recent academic report.
Recent passport-sized photographs.
Proof of residence.
Submit the Application: Adhere to the guidelines, whether submitting in person, via post, or online. Some schools may require an application fee.
Attend an Interview or Assessment: DGHS might require either a personal interview with prospective students or an entrance test.
Receive Admission Notification: Once the school reviews all applications, they’ll notify parents of their decision.
Complete the Admission: If accepted, there might be further documentation to complete and perhaps a deposit or initial fee payment.
Orientation: New students will typically undergo an orientation to acclimate to the school environment and culture.
Adherence to Legislation
The school’s admission policy aligns with the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education’s regulations.
Determination of Admissions
The Governing Body:
- Determines the school’s admission policy.
- Sets the maximum number of learners for each grade, factoring in infrastructure and the learner-to-educator ratio.
Application Process
- Application forms can be acquired in person or from the school website. However, these forms cannot be sent or received electronically.
- Forms must be returned personally with necessary documentation, including the learner’s unabridged birth certificate, a recent full year school report, parents’ I.D copies, a recent utility account, and a passport-sized photo of the applicant.
- Guardians need to provide legal documents that affirm their status.
Criteria for Consideration
- The school prioritizes learners residing closest, defining “nearest state high school” as the distance from the residence gate to the school gate.
- Proof of residence is crucial and can be verified using a recent utility bill or a stamped original bank statement.
- Availability of spots dictates admission, with late applicants possibly placed on a waiting list.
- Fraudulent applications or provision of false details may result in admission revocation and legal action.
- Interviews may be conducted, but this doesn’t guarantee admission.
Non-Discriminatory Approach
The school will not reject any application on the basis of race, colour, or creed. Age-appropriate admissions will be a priority. English is the medium of instruction, aligning with the school’s language policy.
No Specific ‘Feeder’ Schools
The school doesn’t consider any primary school as a ‘feeder’, implying that no school has a direct pipeline to admission.
Selection Criteria
Given the high volume of applications, the school employs several criteria:
- Proximity to the school
- Academic performance
- Extracurricular achievements
- Attendance and punctuality
- Leadership and community involvement
- Financial capacity (It’s a fee-paying institution)
It’s important to note that being a sibling or child of alumni does not guarantee admission, especially if Durban Girls’ High School isn’t the nearest state school to the applicant’s residence.
Communication of Admission Status
Parents will be notified in writing about the outcome of their application, either through postal or email.
School Policies Post-Admission
Once admitted, learners must adhere to the school’s Code of Conduct for Learners and Uniform Policy.
Upon accepting a position, parents are required to make a one-time contribution to the Durban Girls’ High School Educational Trust.
Fees
As with most educational institutions, it’s important to grasp the financial obligations:
- Application Fee: This is usually a non-refundable fee required at the time of application.
- Tuition Fee: This fee covers the main academic expenses for the academic year.
- Extracurricular Fee: Some sports, clubs, or other activities might have additional associated costs.
- Miscellaneous Fees: These could range from uniform costs, textbooks, school trips, and other supplementary resources.
Fees can change yearly, so always check the school’s official website or contact their finance department for the most recent details.
Courses and Subjects
DGHS adheres to the South African national curriculum and offers a variety of subjects:
- Junior Phase (Grade 8-9):
- Core Subjects: English, Afrikaans/Zulu or another approved language, Mathematics, Life Orientation, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Technology, Arts and Culture.
- Elective Subjects: These can vary based on school resources and may include offerings like Art, Music, or Drama.
- Senior Phase (Grade 10-12):
- Compulsory Subjects: English, Afrikaans/Zulu or another language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation.
- Elective Subjects: The list might include Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Business Studies, Geography, History, Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts, Music, among others.
How Much Is Durban High School Fees?
Fees for Grades 9-12:
The annual fees for learners in Grades 9 to 12 is set at R63,810.00.
Early Settlement Incentives:
- Before 22 November 2022: If you settle the full year’s fees before this date, you can avail of an incentive discount of R4,600.00. This means you’ll only have to pay:
R63,810.00 – R4,600.00 = R59,210.00
- Before 20 December 2022: If you miss the November deadline but manage to pay before 20 December 2022, you’ll receive a discount of R4,100.00, which implies:
R63,810.00 – R4,100.00 = R59,710.00
Note: It’s always a good idea to confirm these amounts and dates directly with the school’s finance or administration department to ensure accuracy and understand any additional terms or conditions associated with these discounts.
What Is the Pass Rate for Durban Girls High School?
Outstanding Results:
- 100% Pass Rate: Every student from the matric class of 2022 successfully passed their examinations, which is a testament to the hard work of the students, as well as the dedication of the teaching and administrative staff of the school.
- 98% Bachelor Pass: Even more impressive, almost all of the students (98% to be exact) secured a bachelor pass. This means that a vast majority of the graduating class is eligible to pursue undergraduate studies at universities, further amplifying the school’s commitment to fostering a robust academic foundation.
The Implications of These Achievements:
A 100% pass rate ensures that every student can pursue higher education or vocational training, opening doors to various opportunities. The 98% bachelor pass rate, on the other hand, ensures that most students have a wider range of choices when it comes to university studies.
What Is the History of Durban Girls High School?
Durban Girls’ High School, or as it was known then, Durban Girls’ Model School, was established in 1882. The school opened with 113 learners in a building in Albert Street, and went from infants to Grade 9. At first, young boys under eight years also attended until a separate school was established for them.