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Online High School South AfricaAccredited. Flexible. Proven.

CambriLearn has been delivering accredited online education to South African families for 20 years. Six curriculum pathways for Grade 8 through matric — and primary school from Grade R. Qualified teachers. Dedicated tutors. From CAPS matric to A Levels, your child's high school education without the limitations of the traditional classroom.

98%
university
acceptance
4.7
average
parent rating
80,000+
students
educated
20
years
established
Student learning online with CambriLearn in South Africa
Why parents choose online school

South Africa's traditional system is under pressure.
Your child doesn't have to be.

Overcrowded classrooms, safety concerns, teacher shortages. Online school offers a better way.

Safety first

School safety remains a top concern for SA parents. Online school removes physical risks entirely while maintaining rigorous academic standards and real social connection.

Six accredited pathways

CAPS, KABV, IEB, International British, Pearson Edexcel, and US K-12. The widest curriculum choice of any online school in South Africa.

Flexible scheduling

Sports, health, travel, family time. Students learn at their own pace, from anywhere. Built for South African realities, including load shedding.

Qualified SA teachers

Every subject is taught by a qualified specialist, not a generalist. Live lessons for direct interaction, plus a full library of on-demand content your child can rewatch anytime.

International portability

Qualifications recognised in 100+ countries. Moving to the UK, UAE, or Australia? Your child's education transfers seamlessly, with no lost years.

Real friendships, built in

CambriCommunity connects your child with peers who share their interests. Clubs, events, meetups, and real-world adventures.

Explore CambriCommunity
98%
University acceptance rate
80,000+
Students since 2008
100+
Countries worldwide
4.7/5
Average parent rating

"Education should never put a ceiling on a child's potential. That's why we built an entirely different kind of school."

CambriLearn · 20 years of online education

What makes CambriLearn different from other online schools?

Most online schools offer a one-size-fits-all approach. We give families real curriculum choice, qualified teachers, and dual accreditation.

Speak to a Consultant

Six Curriculum Pathways

CAPS, KABV, IEB, International British, Pearson Edexcel, and US K-12. Choose the pathway that matches your child's goals.

Cognia Accredited & SACAI Registered

Internationally accredited by Cognia (36,000+ institutions across 85 countries). Locally registered with SACAI and IEB for South African qualifications.

Dedicated Academic Consultants

Every family gets a dedicated consultant who understands the curriculum, the exam system, and your child's goals. Not a chatbot. A person.

Why Families Are Switching

Why South African Families Are Choosing Online High School

South Africa's education system is under pressure — and nowhere is the impact more visible than in high school. Between overcrowded classrooms, safety concerns, teacher shortages, and infrastructure challenges like load shedding, a growing number of families are asking whether traditional high schooling can still deliver the outcomes their children deserve. For many, the answer is online high school — and the shift is accelerating.

Online high school in South Africa is no longer a niche alternative. It's a legitimate, accredited pathway that thousands of families choose every year — particularly for Grades 8 through 12 where subject specialisation and matric outcomes matter most. At CambriLearn, we've been at the forefront of this shift for over 20 years, supporting more than 80,000 students across the country with six accredited curriculum pathways — including CAPS, KABV, IEB, the International British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel, and the US K-12 Common Core. CambriLearn also offers online primary school for Grade R through Grade 7.

Safety and Security

School safety remains one of the most pressing concerns for South African parents. Reports of violence, bullying, and inadequate security at both public and private schools have pushed many families to reconsider their options. Online school removes these physical risks entirely while maintaining rigorous academic standards and creating social connection through platforms like CambriCommunity.

Overcrowded Classrooms and Declining Standards

In South African public high schools, class sizes regularly exceed 40 learners — making individualised attention virtually impossible during the years that matter most. While headline matric pass rates continue to climb, the quality of passes tells a different story. Many Grade 12 learners receive certificates that don't qualify them for university admission. CambriLearn's online high school model is fundamentally different: every learner has access to qualified, subject-specialist teachers through live lessons, plus dedicated tutor support for personalised guidance. The result is a 98% university acceptance rate among our graduates.

Flexibility for Modern SA Families

South African families are more mobile than ever. Whether you're managing a teenager's competitive sports schedule, dealing with health challenges, planning emigration, or simply want more family time without sacrificing academic quality, online high school provides flexibility that traditional school timetables simply cannot match. Students learn at their own pace, on their own schedule, from anywhere with an internet connection. And because CambriLearn's platform is built for South African realities — including recorded lessons, downloadable content, and asynchronous learning — your child's education doesn't stop when the power does.

International Portability

For families considering emigration or international opportunities, qualifications earned through CambriLearn travel with you. Our curricula are recognised in over 100 countries, and students can continue their education seamlessly regardless of where their family relocates. This is particularly valuable for South African families moving to the UK, UAE, Australia, or Europe — there's no transfer trauma, no lost academic years, and no starting over.

How it works

From first conversation to first lesson

Online school follows the same academic standards as traditional schools. The difference is in the delivery.

1

Choose Your Curriculum

Select from CAPS, KABV, IEB, British, Edexcel, or US K-12. Our consultants help you find the right fit.

2

Select Your Package

Choose Starter, Standard, or Premium per subject. Mix and match to fit your child's needs and budget.

3

Register with Province

SA law requires DoE registration. CambriLearn provides all documentation and guides you through the process.

4

Get Set Up

Access the platform, meet your teachers, and receive your structured study schedule. Most families settle in within a week.

5

Start Learning

Live lessons, on-demand content, assessments with feedback, and ongoing teacher support from day one.

How It Works

How Online High School Works in South Africa

Online high school in South Africa follows the same academic standards as traditional schools — the difference is in the delivery. Instead of sitting in a physical classroom, your child accesses lessons, assignments, and teacher support through a structured online learning platform. It's not "just watching videos." It's a complete high school experience designed around your child's needs rather than a rigid institutional timetable.

At CambriLearn, every student follows a structured weekly learning programme created by qualified, subject-specialist teachers. This includes live lessons for direct interaction, recorded lesson libraries for revision and flexible pacing, regular assignments with teacher feedback, and dedicated tutor support for one-on-one guidance. Students on the CAPS and KABV curricula write their matric examinations through SACAI (South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute), while IEB learners write through the Independent Examinations Board. International curriculum students sit for International GCSE, AS and A Level, or Pearson Edexcel examinations at independently registered centres as private candidates. Every qualification is nationally and internationally recognised.

Affordable Online School

How Much Does Online High School Cost in South Africa?

One of the most common questions South African parents ask is whether online high school is affordable. The short answer: it's often significantly cheaper than private schooling — and comparable to, or less than, many government school expenses when you factor in the true total cost of traditional education.

Private high school fees in South Africa range from R60,000 to over R180,000 per year depending on the institution, before you add transport (R12,000–R36,000), uniforms (R3,000–R8,000), textbooks, extramural fees, and the hidden cost of time lost to commuting. An affordable online high school like CambriLearn eliminates most of these secondary costs entirely.

CambriLearn offers flexible package tiers to accommodate different budgets and learning styles. For Grade R through Grade 9, families can choose between Starter (on-demand recorded lessons and assessments), Standard (adds live lessons, marking, reports, and academic support), or Premium (adds direct teacher chat, live Q&A sessions, and mock exam prep). From Grade 10 onwards, the structure shifts to Standard and Premium only, reflecting the increased academic demands of the FET phase. Parents can mix and match tiers across subjects.

Annual CostGovernment SchoolPrivate SchoolCambriLearn
Tuition feesR0 – R18,000R60,000 – R180,000View fees
TransportR6,000 – R18,000R12,000 – R36,000R0
UniformsR2,000 – R5,000R3,000 – R8,000R0
Textbooks & materialsR1,500 – R4,000R3,000 – R8,000Purchased separately
ExtramuralsR2,000 – R6,000R6,000 – R18,000Included via CambriCommunity
Class size35–50 learners20–30 learnersPersonalised pacing
Curriculum choiceCAPS only1–2 options6 accredited pathways

Estimates are indicative and vary by institution and province. CambriLearn fees vary by grade, curriculum, and package. Visit our pricing page for current fees.

When you factor in transport, uniforms, textbooks, and extramurals, many South African families find that CambriLearn costs significantly less than private schooling — with more flexibility, more curriculum choice, and more personalised support. Visit our pricing page to compare.

Accreditation & Recognition

Accepted by every South African university

UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, UJ, UKZN, Rhodes, NWU — and every other SA institution. Plus universities in the UK, US, Australia, Europe, and beyond.

98%
University acceptance rate
20+
Years educating students
100+
Countries worldwide
80K+
Students since inception

Cognia Accredited

Internationally accredited by Cognia, covering 36,000+ institutions across 85 countries. Quality assurance across all CambriLearn programmes.

SACAI & IEB Registered

Registered with SACAI and IEB for South African qualifications. Your child's NSC carries the same weight as any government or private school.

International Recognition

Students are prepared to write International GCSE, AS and A Level, and Pearson Edexcel examinations at independently registered centres as private candidates. Recognised in 100+ countries. NCAA-approved for US college sports.

Accreditation

Is Online High School in South Africa Accredited?

Accreditation is the single most important factor when choosing an online high school in South Africa. Without proper accreditation, your child's qualifications may not be recognised by universities or employers — rendering years of study meaningless. CambriLearn is fully accredited by multiple national and international bodies, ensuring every qualification holds the same weight as those earned at traditional schools.

Cognia accreditation provides institutional quality assurance across all of CambriLearn's programmes. Cognia is a global accreditation body covering more than 36,000 institutions across 85 countries, ensuring that CambriLearn meets rigorous international standards for educational quality, governance, and continuous improvement.

For South African families on the CAPS or KABV curriculum, CambriLearn is registered with SACAI (South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute). This means your child writes the same National Senior Certificate examinations as learners at government and private schools — the qualification is identical. SACAI matric certificates are fully recognised by every South African university, including UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, University of Pretoria, and UJ.

Families choosing the IEB pathway benefit from registration with the Independent Examinations Board — widely regarded as the gold standard for independent examination in South Africa. IEB matric certificates are accepted at all South African universities and are particularly valued for the critical thinking and analytical skills they develop.

International curriculum students are prepared to write examinations with Cambridge Assessment International Education (International GCSE, AS and A Level) and Pearson Edexcel (International GCSE and A Level) at independently registered examination centres as private candidates. Both examination bodies are recognised in over 100 countries, giving your child genuine global portability. CambriLearn is also NCAA-approved, meaning student athletes can qualify for United States college sports scholarships — a pathway unavailable through most South African schools.

Trusted by families nationwide

South Africa's most trusted online school

Rated by parents across multiple independent review platforms.

4.7/5
Average rating across 200+ reviews
20+
Years educating students
100+
Countries worldwide
80K+
Students since inception

"We moved from a private school in Sandton where class sizes had ballooned to 40+. My son was invisible. At CambriLearn he's thriving — his marks jumped from 55% to 78% in Maths within six months."

"We travel frequently for work and were worried about our daughter falling behind. CambriLearn's structured terms mean she stays aligned with the SA school year, even when we're abroad."

"Our daughter achieved 6 distinctions in her Matric exams through CambriLearn. She's now studying Medicine at Stellenbosch. The programme gave her the same qualification as any government school — but with better support."

Who Is It For

Who Is Online High School in South Africa For?

Online high school is for any South African family that wants accredited education without the constraints of traditional schooling. These are the most common profiles across CambriLearn's 80,000+ student community.

Student Athletes and Performers

Competitive swimmers, tennis players, rugby prospects, dancers, and musicians need flexible schedules that traditional schools cannot offer. CambriLearn allows students to train during the day and study around their competition calendars. Our NCAA approval also opens the door to US college sports scholarships.

Families Planning Emigration

South African families relocating to the UK, UAE, Australia, or Europe face the disruption of changing education systems mid-year. CambriLearn's international curricula — including the International British Curriculum and Pearson Edexcel — are recognised in over 100 countries, ensuring a seamless academic transition with no lost years.

Children with Special Needs or Health Challenges

Children with anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, chronic illness, or physical disabilities often struggle in the rigid environment of traditional schools. CambriLearn's self-paced learning model, combined with dedicated tutor support on Premium packages, allows these students to learn in an environment that accommodates their needs without compromising on academic outcomes.

Parents Concerned About School Safety

School violence, bullying, and inadequate security are persistent concerns across South African schools. Online schooling removes these physical risks entirely while providing structured social opportunities through CambriCommunity.

Rural and Remote Families

Families in rural areas or small towns often have limited school options. CambriLearn delivers accredited education with qualified teachers to any location with an internet connection.

Common questions from parents

Is online high school legal in South Africa?
Yes. Online schooling — including online high school — is fully legal under the South African Schools Act. Parents are required to register with their provincial Department of Education, and CambriLearn provides all necessary documentation and guidance to complete this process.
How much does online high school cost in South Africa?
Pricing depends on grade, curriculum, and package tier (Starter, Standard, or Premium). You can mix and match tiers per subject. View pricing for full details. When you factor in transport, uniforms, and extramurals, CambriLearn is often significantly less than private high school.
Can my child write matric through an online high school?
Yes. CambriLearn is registered with SACAI and IEB. Grade 10–12 learners write their NSC exams at independently accredited centres across South Africa. The qualification is identical to one from any government or private school.
Do universities accept qualifications from online schools?
Every South African university — including UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, and UJ — accepts qualifications earned through CambriLearn. Our graduates achieve a 98% university acceptance rate. International curricula are also recognised by universities in the UK, US, Australia, Europe, and 100+ countries worldwide.
What about socialisation at an online school?
CambriLearn launched CambriCommunity — a platform where students connect through live group activities, virtual clubs, study groups, and community events. Students also interact with teachers and peers during live lessons.
How does online school handle load shedding?
CambriLearn's platform is built for South African realities. All lessons are available as recorded videos that can be downloaded in advance, assignments can be completed offline and uploaded when connectivity returns, and the self-paced model means students can shift their schedule around load shedding windows.
Which curriculum pathways are available?
CambriLearn offers six accredited curriculum pathways: CAPS (National Senior Certificate), KABV (Afrikaans medium), IEB, the International British Curriculum (International GCSE/A Level), Pearson Edexcel, and US K-12 Common Core.
How do I register my child for online school?
Speak to a consultant to identify the right curriculum and package for your child. CambriLearn handles enrolment, provides guidance on provincial registration with the Department of Education, and gives your child immediate access to their learning dashboard. Most families are fully set up within a week.

80,000+ students. 98% university acceptance.
One online school.

Six accredited curriculum pathways. Qualified teachers. Trusted by families across South Africa and 100+ countries worldwide.

Free consultation. Find the right pathway for your child.

CambriLearn is accredited by Cognia and registered with SACAI and IEB. "International British Curriculum" refers to the curriculum framework delivered by CambriLearn, which prepares students to write examinations administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education and Pearson Edexcel at independently registered examination centres as private candidates. CambriLearn is not a registered Cambridge school and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University or Cambridge University Press.