Johannesburg is South Africa's economic powerhouse and the base for many multinational headquarters, giving it a large and settled international community. For a relocating family the school decision comes first, because the leading international schools in Johannesburg hold limited places and the calendar question, southern or northern hemisphere, together with the choice of northern suburb, shapes the whole plan.
The school landscape in Johannesburg
International provision in Johannesburg is well established, so most families weigh several strong options. The American International School of Johannesburg offers an American curriculum and the International Baccalaureate and follows the northern hemisphere calendar. Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg offers German, British and South African pathways, and Lycee Jules Verne delivers the French national programme, also on the northern hemisphere calendar. Alongside these sit the many well regarded South African private schools, which follow the local curriculum and the southern hemisphere year. Confirm each school's current curriculum and calendar directly, since provision varies.
How to move to Johannesburg with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the start of the school year in Johannesburg and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications.
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match two or three schools in Johannesburg to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because the leading schools have limited capacity.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, since Johannesburg is spread out and school location shapes daily life.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange visas, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
Fee paying international schooling in Johannesburg sits in the upper range for the region, reflecting small classes, facilities and specialist teaching, and the fully international schools cost more than the South African private schools. Fees vary by school, year group and campus, and many schools add registration or enrolment charges on top of tuition, so treat any single figure with caution. Because schools reset their schedules each academic year, request the current fee list directly from each school. South African private and public schools follow the local curriculum and generally carry lower fees.
Free Johannesburg family relocation checklist
Work through our step by step checklist covering the admissions timeline, documents, housing and the first month settling in. Browse the full library on our guides hub, or start with the Johannesburg city guide for school listings.
Neighbourhoods and housing
International families most often settle in the northern suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank, Houghton and Midrand, close to the business district and to many of the international and private schools. These areas offer secure estates and modern apartment complexes and put families within a workable run to school. Because the city is spread out, choosing a home within a sensible commute of your chosen school matters more here than the address itself.
Language and settling in
English is one of South Africa's official languages and the medium of instruction in the international schools, so most expat children settle in without a language barrier. A rich mix of local languages is spoken across the city. Building the family routine around the school day from the outset makes the settling in period smoother.
Curriculum continuity
Curriculum continuity is usually the decision that matters most, and in Johannesburg it is tied closely to the calendar. Most South African schools follow the southern hemisphere year, starting in January, while the American International School of Johannesburg and Lycee Jules Verne run the northern hemisphere calendar. A child part way through an American, British or IB pathway will find the smoothest transition by matching both system and calendar. Our British curriculum hub and IB curriculum hub are useful references.
Fees by stage
To ground your budgeting, compare fee bands across several schools rather than relying on a single headline number. Browse our international school fees hub and the Johannesburg city guide for listings, and always confirm the current figures with each school directly.
Visas, healthcare and admin
Practically, confirm your visa and residency status early, since your category shapes both your access to services and your children's school registration in Johannesburg. Arrange health cover for the settling in period before your status and registration are complete, and set up local banking soon after arrival, since school fees, deposits and daily life all run more smoothly once a domestic account is open. Sequencing status, housing and the school offer carefully makes the first month far less stressful than handling everything at once.
The admissions timeline
The leading schools in Johannesburg accept applications ahead of the school year, and because capacity is limited, individual year groups can fill well before any published deadline. The calendar makes timing especially important here: the South African schools work towards a January start, while the American International School of Johannesburg and Lycee Jules Verne expect applications ahead of a northern hemisphere start. Applying early is the single most effective way to protect your first choice, and where a year group is full it is worth joining the waiting list while keeping a realistic second option open.
Your first weeks: what to prioritise
In your first weeks in Johannesburg, confirm the school place and start date in writing, then settle the essentials that everything else depends on: residency status, a local bank account, health cover and a domestic mobile and internet plan. With those handled, the wider routines of family life fall into place quickly. Many families also register early for after school activities and clubs, which help children build friendships and settle into the rhythm of the school year.
Frequently asked questions
Does Johannesburg have English speaking schools?
Yes. English is one of South Africa's official languages and the medium of instruction in the international schools, including the American International School of Johannesburg, alongside German, British and French pathways.
When does the school year start in Johannesburg?
Most South African schools follow the southern hemisphere calendar, starting in January. The American International School of Johannesburg and Lycee Jules Verne run the northern hemisphere calendar, so confirm the calendar for each school on your shortlist.
Are international schools in Johannesburg expensive?
Fee paying international schooling in Johannesburg sits in the upper range for the region, with the fully international schools costing more than South African private schools. Fees vary by school and year group and are reset annually, so request the current schedule directly from each school.
Where do international families tend to live?
The northern suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank, Houghton and Midrand are the areas international families most often choose, close to the business district and many schools.
When should we apply?
Apply well ahead of the school year and earlier for competitive year groups, because the leading schools in Johannesburg have limited capacity and popular years fill first.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Johannesburg.