Overview
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Southridge, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,571 learners and is staffed by 54 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 29:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Or Tambo Inland education district and achieved a strong 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 86.7% (202 of 233 candidates).
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Holy Cross Senior Secondary School has remained fairly steady, moving from a 84.9% pass rate to 86.7% in 2025, the most recent year, 233 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 233 | 202 | 86.7% |
| 2024 | 249 | 215 | 86.3% |
| 2023 | 304 | 258 | 84.9% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: Holy Cross Senior Secondary School (4291100).
Subject pass rates
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School offered 9 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 91.2%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Physical Sciences was the weakest at 77.3%. 3 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate (English (FAL), Business Studies, History).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 202 | 159 |
78.7%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 31 | 29 |
93.5%
|
| Physical Sciences | 181 | 140 |
77.3%
|
| Life Sciences | 223 | 210 |
94.2%
|
| English (FAL) | 226 | 226 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 32 | 30 |
93.8%
|
| Business Studies | 10 | 10 |
100.0%
|
| Geography | 201 | 200 |
99.5%
|
| History | 52 | 52 |
100.0%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 52 other secondary schools in Mthatha.
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 5.3 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and outings.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Holy Cross Senior Secondary School for 2027?
Tuition at Holy Cross Senior Secondary School for the 2027 academic year is R0; the school is officially classified as no-fee (Q3) by the Department of Basic Education in the Or Tambo Inland district. Parents may still need to cover uniform and stationery costs; phone 047 531 0956 for specifics.
Is Holy Cross Senior Secondary School a no-fee school?
Yes, Holy Cross Senior Secondary School is officially a no-fee school (Q3), recognised as such by the Department of Basic Education in the Or Tambo Inland district. No tuition is charged to any of its 1,571 learners.
What is the quintile of Holy Cross Senior Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
As a Q3 public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in the Or Tambo Inland district, Holy Cross Senior Secondary School is funded entirely by the state under the no-fee policy applied to Quintiles 1 through 3.
How to apply
To enrol your child at Holy Cross Senior Secondary School, families in Eastern Cape apply directly at the Holy Cross Senior Secondary School school office. The exact Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) process in the Or Tambo Inland education district is summarised below.
-
1
Confirm availability with Holy Cross Senior Secondary School
Call 047 531 0956 to confirm whether Holy Cross Senior Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
-
2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 101 Chief Jojo Drive,South Ridge Park,Mthatha,5099 or download it from the Eastern Cape Department of Education website.
-
3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Holy Cross Senior Secondary School during the school's published admission window.
-
4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School is a no-fee school (Q3), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
-
5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Holy Cross Senior Secondary School. If declined, you may appeal at the Or Tambo Inland district office under the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
- Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID
- Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens)
- Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months)
- Latest school report
- Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1)
- Most recent end-of-year report from the previous school
- Transfer letter from the previous school (for Grade 8+ transfers)
Admissions questions
How do I apply to Holy Cross Senior Secondary School for the next school year?
To apply to Holy Cross Senior Secondary School for the next academic year, collect and submit the application form directly at Holy Cross Senior Secondary School. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. For confirmation of available places, contact Holy Cross Senior Secondary School via phone 047 531 0956.
What documents do I need to apply at Holy Cross Senior Secondary School?
Holy Cross Senior Secondary School requires the following documents for admission: • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens) • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months) • Latest school report • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1) Contact Holy Cross Senior Secondary School (phone 047 531 0956) for any school-specific requirements.