Pretoria - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I think they are good. Many go to the American school, but I know one person who sent her kids to the French school. - Apr 2023
We do not have school-age children, so cannot comment on the school experience. I know there is an American school, as well as British, French, German, and Japanese (in Joburg). I'm sure there are some others. There are wonderful local private schools that don't follow the U.S. school calendar (schoolyear here is by calendar year). - Mar 2023
I don't have school-age kids at Post, but it seems like people are pretty happy with AISJ. - Jun 2022
There are a few choices, but most people in the mission go with AISJ which is pretty good. It is not the most academically rigorous school ever but the kids are happy and there are great teachers. For high school, kids have to commute to Johannesburg but they all seem to tolerate it fairly well. Facilities are very nice on both Pretoria and Joburg campuses. The school offers lots of good after school activities. We have been happy with the school even if it is imperfect in a few ways: too "easy", a culture of privilege, over-complicated communication methods. - Jan 2020
Many schools operate on the southern academic calendar (January to December). Thus, switching a child from the northern academic calendar (August to June) would result in losing half-a-year coming to SA and probably another half if switching back to the northern when departing. There are some very good local and British options on the southern calendar. Most people use the American school (Joburg or Pretoria campuses) and the French school is relatively popular. We have really loved the American school. The teaching quality is very high with dedicated and caring teachers. There is low staff turnover. We have some issues with the disparity between the Joburg and Pretoria campuses where are clearly more benefits for the Joburg campus than the Pretoria and the Joburg campus administration seems really disconnected from Pretoria and don't understand how it functions. - Dec 2019
The American International School has two campuses — one north of Joburg (K-12), and one on the east side of Pretoria (K-8). They are good schools -- not the best we have had internationally, but good teachers and solid management and facilities. The student body is mostly expats; compared to other schools here it’s very expensive and not many South Africans can afford it. - Mar 2019
There is an American international school with a campus in Pretoria and in Joburg. They are fine, if a bit boring and mission-statement-driven. My own kids preferred to avail themselves of local prep schools, of which there are many choices: Crawford Preparatory, St Mary's, Waterkloof House, and so on. - Jan 2018
I don't have any experience with the schools but I heard they were pretty adequate. - Dec 2009
I have two kids at the Pretoria branch of the American International School and this has got to be the best school in the world! The atmosphere at the school is warm and nurturing and even though it seems like they are only having fun, the kids are really learning! The teachers and staff know each kid individually and they make every child feel special. You'd have a hard time finding anyone with something negative to say about this school. I'd keep my kids here forever if I could. - Aug 2009
American Internaqtionl school makes an effort. But it does not cope well with the mix of South African students not in the local system, students from neighboring African countries, diplomatic and NGO children. Special needs students are mixed in with IB students w/o enough support for either group. Drugs/alcohol/sex scene in high school can be rough. - Oct 2008
Our son goes to the American International School of Johannesburg. He likes the school. We have concerns about the quality of some of the teachers and the administration is a bit questionable. Buses pick up the kids from your front gate and drop them off in the PM.Historically, they have offered a wide selection of after school programs, but they seem to have cut back on them dramatically this year. I am not sure why. It is about 45 minutes to the school. Most of the kids at AISJ live ni Johannesburg, so it is difficult for Pretoria kids to establish friendships with many of teir classmates. - Sep 2008
North American International School for K-8 and American International School of Johannesburg for K-12. Both schools are unique. NAIS offers low teacher-student ratio and is in Pretoria. AISJ is large but is 40-50 minute drive from Pretoria. - Jun 2008
