What St Cyprian's School does

St Cyprian's School is an independent girls' school situated on the slopes of Table Mountain in Oranjezicht, Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 1870 (with promotional references to 155 years of excellence), it operates three divisions on a single integrated campus: Pre-Preparatory (Grade 000 to Grade R), Preparatory (Grades 1 to 7), and High School (Grades 8 to 12), serving approximately 950 students. The school delivers the IEB Matriculation curriculum alongside an optional Cambridge A Level pathway, complemented by co-curricular programmes in sport, music, drama, visual art, design, and dance. Its core technology is ISAMS, a school management information system that powers the Parent Portal for communication and administration. The school holds membership in the Round Square international network (since 1997), connecting it to 260+ schools in 50+ countries for exchanges and experiential learning.

The school generates revenue primarily through annual tuition fees ranging from R86,955 (Grade 000-00) to R184,150 (Grades 8-12), with optional boarding at Katherine House (R157,350-R167,010 annually), a per-family development levy, IEB/Cambridge examination fees, and co-curricular charges. Billing is annual, termly, or monthly via debit order, with a 3.5% early-payment discount and sibling concessions of 3-6%. A non-refundable enrolment fee of R22,000 and a Grade 8 holding deposit of R6,000 apply. The student body is supported by a means-tested bursary scheme covering 10-75% of fees and the One Girl at a Time Endowment Programme, which funds up to 80% tuition for high-achieving students. Charitable donations are accepted under Section 18A tax certificates.

The school is led by Principal Shelley Frayne and operates from a single campus with no parent company, public listing, or external institutional investor. In February 2026 it launched Umthombo Wolwazi, a satellite programme supporting 30 Grade 10-12 students from four partner schools in underserved Cape Town communities with academic extension in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and English. Outreach is delivered through a direct admissions process, a website (stcyprians.co.za), social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and an active alumni network hosting events in Johannesburg, London, and Toronto.

Name

St Cyprian's School

Legal name

St Cyprian's School

Website

https://stcyprians.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

St Cyprian's School is an independent girls' school in Cape Town, South Africa, serving approximately 950 students across Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, and High School divisions on a single campus on the slopes of Table Mountain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Girls' Education (K-12)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Single-Sex (Boys/Girls) Private Schools (EDAJABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC), International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG), Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)

Keywords

• Independent girls education
• Primary secondary schooling
• Preparatory high school
• Boarding education
• IEB Cambridge curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees charged per grade level, ranging from R86,955 (Grade 000-00) to R184,150 (Grades 8-12) annually. Fees can be paid annually, termly, or monthly via debit order.
2. Boarding Fees: Weekly boarding at R157,350 annually or termly boarding at R167,010 annually for Grades 8-11. Grade 12 boarding is R157,350 (weekly) or R167,010 (termly).
3. Development Levy: Per-family development levy of R5,750 (one child) or R6,900 (more than one child) annually, supporting school infrastructure and programmes.
4. Examination Fees: IEB examination fees billed separately per grade level, ranging from R1,240 (Grade 12) to R3,080 (Grade 8) annually.
5. Additional Activities and Levies: Fees for co-curricular activities, outings and excursions (R715), student insurance (R70), Visual Arts/Design/Music/Consumer Studies FET level levies.
6. Donations and Bursaries: Donations accepted for various projects including One Girl at a Time endowment fund, Umthombo Wolwazi satellite programme, Blues Bash, and campus improvements. Section 18A tax certificates available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

St Cyprian's School is an independent girls' school providing Pre-Preparatory (Grade 000-R), Preparatory (Grades 1-7), and High School (Grades 8-12) education from a single campus on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town. It offers IEB Matriculation and Cambridge A Level pathways, co-curricular programmes in sport, music, drama, visual art, design and dance, and on-campus boarding at Katherine House for Grades 8-12.

Product overview

St Cyprian's School is a girls' school operating three divisions on a single campus on the slopes of Table Mountain, Cape Town: Pre-Preparatory (Grade 000-R), Preparatory (Grades 1-7) and High School (Grades 8-12). The school offers IEB and Cambridge A Level examination programmes. Beyond core academics, the portfolio includes Umthombo Wolwazi (a satellite scholarship programme supporting underserved communities), the One Girl at a Time Endowment Programme for bursaries, Katherine House boarding facilities, and Round Square international network membership. The school serves approximately 950 students with co-curricular offerings in sport, music, drama, visual art, design and dance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Umthombo Wolwazi: A St Cyprian's satellite school offering academic support and extension to bright young women from four surrounding Cape Town schools, providing a three-year programme through Grades 10-12 in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English.
• One Girl at a Time Endowment Fund
• Blues Bash
• Katherine House

Products and services

• Pre-Preparatory School Early childhood education programme for girls aged approximately 3 to 5 years, covering Grade 000, Grade 00, and Grade R, with foundational learning experiences on the slopes of Table Mountain campus.
• Preparatory School Primary education programme for students in Grades 1 to 7, fostering mental agility, self-belief and collaborative skills within the shared campus environment with introduction to sports and arts.
• High School Secondary education programme for students in Grades 8 to 12, offering IEB Matriculation and Cambridge A Level curricula with comprehensive academic, sporting and arts programmes.
• Katherine House Boarding On-campus boarding facility for students in Grades 8 to 12, providing weekly and termly boarding options with full board and laundry services.
• Umthombo Wolwazi Satellite Programme A satellite school programme offering academic support and extension to exceptional young women from underserved Cape Town communities, providing a three-year programme (Grades 10-12) in Core Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English, hosted on Saturdays at the St Cyprian's campus.
• One Girl at a Time Endowment Programme Flagship scholarship programme offering up to 80% tuition support for high-achieving students from Grade 8 to Grade 12, combining financial assistance with academic and personal development support.
• Round Square Programme Membership in the Round Square global network of 260+ schools across 50 countries, offering experiential education built around IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service, with exchanges, conferences and collaborative projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% pass rate in 2025 IEB Matric and Cambridge A Level examinations
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bishops CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Brother school collaboration for the annual Blues Bash initiative, a student-led event raising awareness and funds for women's causes during Women's Month. Students from both schools compete in soccer, basketball, hockey and netball.
• MENstruation Foundation – End Period PovertyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Charitable partner for the Blues Bash initiative working to end period poverty in South Africa. Through Blues Bash fundraising, three sanitary product-dispensing machines have been installed in schools in Cape Town.
• Round SquarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997International network of 260+ schools in 50 countries sharing a passion for experiential education built around six IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service. St Cyprian's was one of the first South African schools to become a member in 1997. The network offers exchanges, conferences, and collaborative projects.
• Woolworths MyDifferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoyalty programme partnership allowing supporters to link their Woolworths MyDifference card to St Cyprian's as their chosen cause, with a percentage of spending donated to bursary students.
• Cape Town High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Umthombo Wolwazi satellite programme, providing academic extension to exceptional Grade 10-12 students from the school.
• Good Hope SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Umthombo Wolwazi satellite programme, providing academic extension to exceptional Grade 10-12 students from the school.
• Harold Cressy High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Umthombo Wolwazi satellite programme, providing academic extension to exceptional Grade 10-12 students from the school.
• Trafalgar Secondary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Umthombo Wolwazi satellite programme, providing academic extension to exceptional Grade 10-12 students from the school.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bishops (Diocesan College): Leading independent boys' school in Cape Town and St Cyprian's brother school, hosting the joint Blues Bash initiative. Comparable in prestige, location, and academic outcomes despite being single-sex boys' rather than girls'.
• Roedean School (SA): Independent girls' school in Johannesburg providing Pre-School to Matric with IEB and Cambridge pathways. Comparable in prestige, single-sex model, and academic outcomes focus.
• St Mary's School, Johannesburg: Historic Anglican independent girls' school in Johannesburg offering Pre-Preparatory through Matric. Comparable in heritage, single-sex model, values-based education, and Round Square membership.
• Herschel School: A leading independent girls' school in Cape Town offering Pre-School through Matric, with both IEB and Cambridge A Level curriculum. Direct competitor for affluent Cape Town families considering single-sex girls' education.
• Springfield Convent School: Independent Catholic girls' school in Cape Town offering Pre-School through Matric. Direct competitor in Cape Town single-sex girls' education with comparable academic and extracurricular offerings.

Regional players

• Michaelhouse: Historic independent boys' boarding school in KwaZulu-Natal, a leading Round Square member in South Africa. Compares as a tier-one South African independent school with international network participation.
• Wynberg Girls' High School: Independent girls' high school in Cape Town offering Grade 8 to Matric with IEB curriculum. Compares as a tier-one girls' high school drawing from the same Cape Town feeder market.
• Durban Girls' College: Independent girls' school in KwaZulu-Natal offering Pre-Preparatory to Matric with strong academic tradition. Operates in the same independent girls' school category but serves a different geographic market.
• St Stithians College: Independent Methodist school in Johannesburg offering Girls' College, Boys' College, and Junior Prep. Comparable as a Round Square-member, multi-division independent school with strong academic reputation.

Others

• Canterbury Academy / Truro School: Comparable Round Square international member schools offering similar experiential IDEALS-based education. Reference points for global positioning and benchmarking of St Cyprian's value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stcypriansschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/st-cyprians-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/iamastcypriansgirl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St Cyprian's School