Durban High School

DHS aims to develop responsible, motivated young men with strong moral convictions, integrity, self-discipline, and courage. The school fosters a 'Heritage of Excellence' and a 'way of life' that encourages students to become men of character capable of leading with strength and compassion. It promotes a strengths-based, inclusive, and collaborative educational environment that values diversity and individual growth.

The school offers a curriculum that includes the CAPS programme and Cambridge International education. It also provides an Electives Programme, the Brave Generation Academy (BGA), and the Nonpareil Academy. The academic programme is supported by a blended learning approach and small class sizes to ensure individualised instruction.

The Academic Support Centre (ASC) provides a 21st-century learning support programme for students with neurodiversity (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD), speech or literacy barriers, and memory or concentration challenges. The centre employs a strengths-based approach, offering individualised support from teachers and access to outsourced speech, language, and occupational therapists. Support levels are determined upon application and re-evaluated termly to ensure students benefit optimally from the curriculum.

The school requires a formal application process. Prospective families must submit a completed application form along with supporting documentation, including the latest December and current school reports, a previous school fee statement, two colour photographs, an unabridged birth certificate, parent IDs, proof of address, salary advice, bank statements, and any relevant guardianship or international study permit documentation.

The school operates on a term-based system with academic and sporting commitments throughout the year. Students are encouraged to participate in community service projects during school holidays, such as the 'Urban Ignition' programme, which involves volunteering at local children's and old age homes.

The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including the Victor Daitz Mathematics & Science Centre, a media centre, and the Chris Seabrooke Music Centre. Sporting facilities include floodlit fields, a heated Olympic swimming pool, a heated water polo pool, an indoor high-performance cricket centre, squash courts, tennis courts, and a medical recovery centre with hyperbaric chambers. The school also houses the Seabrooke’s Theatre, the Blackmore House boarding establishment, and a newly constructed wing providing additional classrooms and an auditorium.

DHS offers a wide range of co-curricular activities, including sports such as rugby, cricket, hockey, basketball, swimming, water polo, surfing, rowing, squash, tennis, badminton, and cross country. Cultural offerings include an Audio Visual technical crew, chess, debating, drama club, a music centre, poetry, the President’s Award, the Sisonke Cultural Society, and Toastmasters. Leadership opportunities are available through the Representative Council of Learners (RCL), prefect positions, and mentorship programmes.