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Online schools in South Africa offer the same core subjects as traditional schools, plus a range of electives that allow students to tailor their education to their interests and goals. Whether your child follows CAPS, Cambridge, or American curricula, they'll have access to languages, mathematics, sciences, humanities, and commercial subjects delivered through digital platforms.
Subject availability varies between providers, so checking specific offerings matters when choosing your online school.
Subject Requirements by Curriculum
Each curriculum pathway has its own structure for required and elective subjects.
CAPS Subject Structure
The South African CAPS curriculum requires seven subjects for the National Senior Certificate. Four are compulsory: Home Language (typically English or Afrikaans), First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation. Students then choose three electives from approved subject lists.
CAPS organises electives into groups to ensure breadth. Students must select from different categories rather than clustering all choices in one area. This structure means a student can't take only sciences or only humanities; the combination must span disciplines.
Popular CAPS electives include Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Geography, History, and Information Technology. Creative subjects like Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts, and Music are also available through some online providers, though practical components require specific arrangements.
Cambridge Subject Structure
Cambridge offers more flexibility in subject combinations. At IGCSE level, students typically take five to seven subjects, with English and Mathematics forming the core. Beyond these, choices are largely open, allowing students to specialise earlier than CAPS permits.
Cambridge subjects span similar territory: sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), humanities (History, Geography), languages, business subjects, and arts. The curriculum also offers subjects less common in South African schools, such as Global Perspectives, Environmental Management, and Foreign Languages like Spanish, French, or Mandarin.
At AS and A Level, students narrow further, typically taking three or four subjects aligned with intended university study. This depth-over-breadth approach suits students with clear academic direction.
American Curriculum Structure
American curricula use a credit-based system where students accumulate credits across subject areas over their high school years. Requirements typically include four years of English, three to four years of Mathematics, three years of Science, three years of Social Studies, and various electives.
The American system offers considerable elective flexibility, including subjects like Psychology, Economics, Creative Writing, and Computer Science. Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow students to pursue university-level content while still in high school.
Practical Subjects Online
Parents often wonder how subjects with practical components work in an online environment. The answer varies by subject and provider.
Sciences like Physical Sciences and Life Sciences include practical work requirements. Online schools address this through home laboratory kits with detailed instructions, virtual simulations that demonstrate concepts, recorded demonstrations students analyse and report on, and occasional in-person practical sessions at physical venues.
Technology subjects like Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT) translate well to online delivery since students work on computers anyway. These subjects teach practical digital skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
Creative and performing arts subjects present more complexity. Visual Arts portfolios can be created at home with guidance, but subjects like Dramatic Arts and Music may require arrangements for practical assessments. Some examination bodies accept video submissions; others require in-person performance examinations.
Physical Education and Life Orientation involve activity components that students complete independently, documenting their participation for assessment purposes.
Choosing Subjects Wisely
Subject choices, particularly from Grade 10 onward, shape university and career options. Making informed decisions early prevents complications later.
University Requirements
Different university programmes require specific subjects. Medicine and engineering require Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) and Physical Sciences. Commerce degrees typically require Mathematics, with Accounting advantageous. Law has fewer specific requirements but benefits from strong language skills.
Research your child's potential career interests before finalising subject choices. The Department of Basic Education provides guidance on subject requirements for various career paths, and university websites list admission requirements for specific programmes.
Balancing Interests and Practicality
Students should enjoy their subjects enough to engage with them for three years, but pure interest shouldn't override practical considerations entirely. A student passionate about art but aiming for engineering needs to include Mathematics and Physical Sciences regardless of preference.
The ideal combination balances genuine interest with strategic positioning for future opportunities. Where possible, include at least one subject your child loves alongside those required for their goals.
Subject Availability
Not every online school offers every subject. Before enrolling, verify that your preferred provider offers the specific subjects your child needs. This matters particularly for less common subjects like additional languages, music, or technical subjects.
If your first-choice provider lacks a needed subject, options include supplementing with another provider for that single subject, adjusting subject choices to available options, or selecting a different primary provider with broader offerings.
Changing Subjects
Sometimes initial subject choices don't work out. Perhaps a subject proves too difficult, interests shift, or career plans change. Online schools generally accommodate subject changes, with some limitations.
Changes are easiest early in Grade 10 before significant SBA marks accumulate. By mid-Grade 11, changes become problematic since students would miss substantial curriculum content and assessments. Grade 12 changes are rarely possible without delaying completion.
If your child is struggling with a subject, address concerns early. Switching from Mathematics to Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10 is straightforward; making the same switch mid-Grade 12 creates serious complications.
Subject Support in Online Schools
Online schools provide varying levels of subject-specific support. When evaluating providers, consider how teachers are accessed (email, live sessions, scheduled calls), response timeframes for student questions, availability of additional tutoring if needed, and resources beyond core curriculum materials.
Strong subject support matters most in challenging areas. A student confident in languages but struggling with sciences needs a provider offering robust science support specifically. Generic "support available" claims mean less than specific details about how struggling students receive help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child take subjects from different curricula simultaneously?
Generally, no. Curricula are designed as integrated systems, and mixing subjects from CAPS and Cambridge, for example, creates complications for certification. Your child would complete neither qualification properly. However, after completing one curriculum pathway, students can add qualifications from another. Some students complete CAPS matric then add Cambridge A Levels in specific subjects, for instance. If you're interested in combining curricula, discuss options with prospective providers to understand what's feasible within your timeline.
Are all CAPS subjects available through online schools?
Most academic subjects are available, but some specialised options may have limited availability. Subjects like Agricultural Sciences, Hospitality Studies, and technical subjects are offered by fewer providers due to practical components and smaller demand. Languages beyond English and Afrikaans vary in availability. If your child needs a specific uncommon subject, verify availability before enrolling. Some families use one provider for most subjects while sourcing a specialist subject elsewhere, though this adds administrative complexity.
How do online schools handle subject choice counselling?
Reputable online schools offer guidance on subject selection, particularly at the Grade 9 to 10 transition when FET choices are made. This typically includes consultations discussing your child's strengths, interests, and goals, information about university requirements for various careers, and recommendations based on academic performance patterns. The depth of counselling varies between providers. Some offer comprehensive career guidance; others provide basic information only. If subject selection guidance matters to you, ask specifically about this service when evaluating schools.
