Zimbabwe is known for its rich history in education, and its private schools have continued to uphold a tradition of excellence. In this article, we review and rank the top 25 private schools in Zimbabwe based on their worth and academic output. The ranking considers factors such as academic performance, facilities, extracurricular opportunities, student-to-teacher ratios, and overall reputation.
26. Lilfordia School
Located in Norton, Lilfordia is a small, co-educational boarding school known for its excellent academic performance and strong emphasis on sports, particularly in cricket and athletics. The school offers a Cambridge curriculum and is renowned for its nurturing environment.
25. Eaglesvale Senior School
Located in Harare, Eaglesvale is a co-educational school with a strong Christian ethos. The school has a reputation for producing well-rounded students with a balance of strong academics and active participation in sports like rugby, cricket, and hockey. Eaglesvale also has a good record in Cambridge examinations.
24. Hillcrest College
Situated in Mutare, Hillcrest College is known for its strong academic record, particularly in science and business subjects. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports and clubs, with a strong emphasis on discipline and Christian values.
23. Heritage School
The Heritage School in Harare is a top-tier private institution offering Cambridge curricula from primary through secondary levels. The school excels in academics, with students often performing well in IGCSE and A-level exams. Heritage also places significant emphasis on sports and cultural activities.
22. Midlands Christian College
This Gweru-based school offers a strong Christian education with an emphasis on academic excellence. The school is particularly known for its science and business programs, and it also offers a variety of sports, including swimming, athletics, and rugby.
21.Lady Enereta International High School
Lady Enereta International High School (LEIHS) is one of Zimbabwe’s most modern private schools, located near Bindura. The school offers a balanced Cambridge curriculum, aiming to provide a well-rounded education that includes strong academics, technology integration, and robust co-curricular programs. Lady Enereta is particularly known for its state-of-the-art facilities and its emphasis on creating a stimulating learning environment that encourages innovation and critical thinking. The school also has a wide range of sports and arts programs, making it one of the most comprehensive educational institutions in the country​(Lady Enereta).
20. Goldridge College
Goldridge College in Kwekwe is a co-educational day and boarding school. It is highly regarded for its academic excellence, particularly in Cambridge exams. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and drama.
19. Falcon College
Located in Esigodini, Falcon College is a boys’ school with a strong tradition of academic and sporting excellence. The school offers a broad curriculum and is particularly noted for its rigorous science programs. Falcon College also excels in sports, especially rugby and cricket.
18. Arundel School
Arundel School in Harare is one of the top girls’ schools in Zimbabwe, known for its strong academic record and vibrant extracurricular programs. The school offers a Cambridge curriculum and has consistently high pass rates in IGCSE and A-level exams. Arundel also excels in sports and the arts.
17. Watershed College
Watershed College, located in Marondera, is well-known for its excellent academic performance and strong emphasis on discipline and Christian values. The school offers a broad curriculum with a focus on both academic and practical subjects, and it has robust sports programs, including rugby and hockey.
16. Lomagundi College
This co-educational boarding school in Chinhoyi is renowned for its balanced approach to academics and sports. Lomagundi College offers a broad curriculum and has a reputation for producing well-rounded students who excel in both academics and extracurricular activities.
15. St. John’s College
St. John’s College in Harare is an elite boys’ school that consistently ranks among the top in Zimbabwe for academic performance. The school is known for its rigorous Cambridge curriculum and its outstanding sports programs, particularly in rugby, cricket, and swimming.
14. Dominican Convent High School
Located in Bulawayo, Dominican Convent is a girls’ school with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum and has strong programs in the arts, sports, and community service.
13. Peterhouse Girls’ School
As one of Zimbabwe’s leading private schools for girls, Peterhouse in Marondera is renowned for its high academic standards and excellent facilities. The school offers a broad curriculum that includes a strong focus on the sciences, and it is also known for its competitive sports teams.
12. Gateway High School
Gateway High School in Harare is an independent Christian school known for its academic excellence and strong values-based education. The school offers a broad curriculum with a focus on both academic and extracurricular achievements, including sports and music.
11. Wise Owl High School
Located in Marondera, Wise Owl is a relatively new school but has quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence and discipline. The school offers both Cambridge and ZIMSEC curricula and has strong programs in science and business studies.
10. Hellenic Academy
Hellenic Academy in Harare is a top independent school offering a rigorous Cambridge curriculum. The school is known for its excellent academic results, particularly in IGCSE and A-level exams. Hellenic also has a strong emphasis on sports, music, and the arts.
9. Gateway High School
Known for its academic rigor and strong Christian values, Gateway High School in Harare consistently ranks among the top schools in Zimbabwe. The school offers a broad curriculum that includes both Cambridge and ZIMSEC examinations, with students often excelling in science and business studies. Gateway also has a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities, particularly in sports and music.
8. Harare International School
This is a top international school offering an American curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The school is known for its excellent facilities and diverse student body. Harare International School has a strong academic record and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and community service.
7. Lusitania Senior School
Lusitania in Harare offers both Cambridge and ZIMSEC curricula, with a strong focus on academic excellence. The school is particularly noted for its science and business programs. Lusitania also has a strong sports program, with students excelling in athletics, soccer, and netball.
6. Riverton Academy
Riverton Academy, located in Masvingo, is known for its strong emphasis on science and business studies. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on developing students who are both academically successful and socially responsible. Riverton Academy also boasts a range of extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural programs​(RIVERTON ACADEMY
5. Chisipite Senior School
Chisipite Senior School is a prestigious girls’ school in Harare known for its excellent academic standards and broad extracurricular activities. The school consistently produces high-achieving students, particularly in Cambridge A-levels. The school emphasizes a balanced education with strong programs in sports, music, and drama.
4. St. Ignatius College
St. Ignatius in Chishawasha is one of the most prestigious Catholic schools in Zimbabwe. The school is known for its rigorous academics, particularly in science and mathematics, and has a long history of producing top students in both Cambridge and ZIMSEC exams. St. Ignatius also excels in sports and cultural activities.
3. Chisipite Senior School
Chisipite in Harare is an elite girls’ school with a reputation for academic excellence and a broad extracurricular program. The school consistently produces top results in Cambridge exams and offers a wide range of activities, including sports, music, and drama.
2. Peterhouse Boys’ School
Located in Marondera, Peterhouse Boys is one of the top private schools in Zimbabwe, known for its high academic standards and excellent facilities. The school offers a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on science and humanities, and it has a long tradition of excellence in sports and outdoor activities.
1. St. George’s College
St. George’s College in Harare is one of the oldest and most prestigious boys’ schools in Zimbabwe. Known for its rigorous academics and strong emphasis on moral and ethical education, the school consistently produces top performers in Cambridge exams. St. George’s also has a rich tradition in sports and cultural activities.
These rankings reflect the current landscape of private secondary education in Zimbabwe, where academic excellence, extracurricular diversity, and the quality of facilities are key factors that distinguish these institutions.
