In order to really thrive and achieve their full potential, your child needs a school that can offer quality education that will prepare them for the future, but that also understands who they are and strive to bring the best out in them – whether academics, sport or arts or all of them. This is a school that needs to align with your family’s values, a school that will help shape your child’s character into one that helps them succeed in life. So - what is the difference between private school and public school?

Private schools: International expectations of excellence

Private, or independent schools offer very high quality standards of education that culminate in high academic results. They also have the opportunity to follow international curriculums that allow learners to be exposed to more rigorous educational standards, as well as pick up skills outside of academics alone.

At Elkanah House, students from Grade 7 to 12 follow the Independent Examinations Boards (IEB curriculum) which Elkanah House boasts a 100% Matric pass rate. The National Senior Certificate, which is issued at the end of your child’s schooling, is recognised by all South African universities and most interestingly, by international universities too!

Future-focused learning

Private schools are also more able to align their teaching and offering to the rapidly changing digital world we live in. In fact, those in the know say that the jobs our children will have one day most likely don’t even exist yet. So, the way they’re learning and the skills they’re developing should prepare them for a tech-based future.

The crux of  Elkanah House's approach to education is to help learners develop the essential skills to be able to navigate, analyse, and thrive in a 21st century world – and beyond. We use various tools and multiple platforms in the classroom, such as iPads, and international curriculums and programmes that grow skills sets that will be needed to thrive in an innovative and changing world. We want our learners to become global citizens who are critical thinkers with access to some of the highest-ranking universities in the world.

We offer future-focused learning using globally-aligned education and make sure our learners are equipped with opportunities for success on a world stage.

Smaller class sizes

Studies have shown that smaller, more focused classes result in higher academic results. This is because a lower teacher-to-learner ratio means a child receives more individual attention, time for the teacher to see how each child learns as an individual, and the time to craft lessons and activities accordingly so that they teach in a more personal way. Unfortunately, because of various reasons, classes in many public schools are overfilled beyond capacity and teachers are overwrought with 40-plus students in a class.

The absolute limit in class size at Elkanah House is 26 learners. Keeping classes small is part of the DNA that forms our unique culture. We call this the ‘Elkanah Way’

A feeling of community

Because of the size of classes, the unique value systems, and focus on holistic learning, private schools tend to create a nurturing community feel. This enables an environment where learners feel like they’re part of something, they feel safe, supported, and comfortable to be themselves.

Community is at the heart of everything we do at Elkanah House. Because we believe in a holistic approach to encourage all children to grow into their fully rounded selves, we have an ethos built on mutual respect, diversity and inclusion. We celebrate each other’s beliefs, religions, and value systems, making our learning community truly unique.

Now, taking all the above into consideration, you have to ask yourself - would you get all of this from a public school?