How do you choose a good school if you are moving to the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg?

When buying a new home, there are several factors to consider, such as location, price, and accessibility. However, for families with school-aged children, one of the most important considerations is the quality of the schools in the area. Good schools are crucial for ensuring your children receive a quality education, and they can also have a significant impact on the property values of the area.

Let's uncover the details behind selecting an area based on the local schooling and how best to navigate the borders which govern schooling and feeder zones.

The impact of education facilities on property demand

Studies have shown that good education facilities increase the demand for property in an area, and in turn, the demand also increases the school's standing. As a result, residents are willing to pay a premium to live in the suburbs close to quality schools. Good schools are generally considered a drawcard, and capital growth in these areas will likely be above average.

Changes to schooling laws and their effect on property investment

The recent Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) bill changes, which propose making school attendance compulsory from Grade R instead of Grade 1, further underscore the importance of good schools. The proposed changes mean that parents can enrol their children in school at a younger age so that children will be at school for thirteen to fourteen years instead of the traditional twelve years.

Such changes will affect how we view property locations and the duration we see ourselves living there.

Feeder Zones - What they are and how they work

It's also important to note that government schools have specific feeder zones. This means that your home address will determine the schools at which your children will be given preference over others living outside your zone.

Children who live within a feeder zone will be given first preference, followed by those whose parents work there. As a result, it's essential to do some research on schools in the areas you are considering.

The Department of Education for each province must ensure every child of age attends school. However, the school with vacancies may not be where you want your children to attend. For this reason, it is essential to research schools in the areas you are considering.

Private schools - different criteria for admission

If you prefer to send your children to private schools, the feeder zone system doesn't apply. Private schools have other criteria for admission, and these vary from one school to the next. However, most parents prefer their children to live close to the school they are attending, as it is more convenient from the point of view of transportation and after-school activities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the unattractiveness of long-distance commuting. As fewer parents make the trip based on work commutes, many of them - and their children - no longer want to travel long distances to and from school daily.

Gathering Information

One of the ways to gather information about schools in a suburb you are considering is to look it up online. Your provincial Department of Education website should have the information you need about government schools in the area. For information on private and independent schools, visit the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa.

However, nothing beats talking to other parents whose children attend these schools. This can give you a firsthand account of what the school is like, its culture, its academic prestige and extracurricular activities.

Difference between private and public schools in South Africa

Private schools in South Africa are generally funded through tuition fees and donations, while the state funds government schools. Private schools often have more resources and better facilities than government schools.

Another difference is the curriculum. While both government and private schools follow the same national curriculum, private schools often have more flexibility in what they teach and how they teach it. Their certifications are governed by the IEB or Independent Examinations Board, which also offers additional subjects or enrichment programs unavailable in government schools.

Class sizes and teacher-student ratios can also vary between government and private schools. Private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and lower teacher-student ratios, allowing for more individualised attention and support for students.

Finally, the cost of education significantly differs between the two systems. While government schools are free, private schools can be expensive, and not all families can afford to send their children to private schools.

List of Schools in the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg

Private schools: (Primary and secondary)

Government schools:

A knowledgeable Property Practitioner should be able to provide the information you need to decide whether or not to invest in property in a specific area. When choosing your next family home, the quality of the schools in the area should always be high on your list of priorities.

If you want to buy or sell your home, contact one of our Real Estate Property Practitioners by following the link: https://www.homesofdistinction.co.za/agents/

Homes of Distinction CC holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority.

16 May 2023
Author Bryce Anderson

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