Collegiate Junior & Collegiate High School

Collegiate Junior and High School for girls is a private and beautiful school situated on a superb expanse of land in the suburb of Parsons Hill, Port Elizabeth. They offer a high quality of education in a spectacular environment.

The Collegiate School was founded by a committee of progressive Port Elizabeth men and women who decided to secure for their daughters a school “on the lines of the best high schools for girls in England.” The school first opened in a rented building, 15 Western Road, in February 1874. By 1878 the school had moved into its own building in Bird Street. For the first 25 years of its existence it remained a private establishment under the management of its own Committee but, in 1900, was placed under the control of the Cape Education Department.

Collegiate’s buildings have been laid and planned out carefully and with great foresight. These graceful buildings are complimented by beautiful gardens, tall trees and wide open fields. Classrooms are set out around grassed quadrangles, adjoined by well-equipped laboratories and soundproofed Music Rooms. Inside, one can observe beautifully decorated rooms with superb woodwork and engravings. These facets add to the tradition and atmosphere of this fantastic school.

The advantage of being a girl’s only school is that it makes for a more feminine and gentler ethos. They encourage each girl to develop to her fullest potential.

A wide range of sports and activities are offered at Collegiate. These include: Tennis, Squash, Road running, ball skills, swimming, athletics, hockey and netball. Societies include Chess, Drama, Needlework and Scripture Union. Subjects include: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Art, Music, History, Geography, Technology, Life Skills, Drama and Home Economics in High school.

The De Wet Gray Media Centre incorporates the Library with a wide range of audio-visual equipment. A Computer Centre, Needlework, Art and Home Economics facilities are also available. There is a boarding house situated at the high school.

From its inception, Collegiate has progressed accurately in its commitment to excellence, a proud tradition handed down by those who served the school. They are dedicated to your daughter’s educational welfare and provide only the highest quality of education in a caring environment. Their standards are high and pupils’ achievement is always acknowledged. The active involvement of parents and past pupils epitomizes the Old Collegiate Girls Guild.

Collegiate is unique and outstanding. Excellence and ideal surroundings as well as the finest quality of education for your daughter are what you can expect.