Overview
Sophatisana Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Reeston, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,290 learners and is staffed by 34 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 38:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Buffalo City education district and achieved a strong 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 84.6% (115 of 136 candidates).
Sophatisana Secondary School Matric Performance
Sophatisana Secondary School's NSC pass rate has improved over the past 3 years, from 78.1% in 2023 to 84.6% in 2025 (136 candidates writing in 2025).
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 136 | 115 | 84.6% |
| 2024 | 127 | 114 | 89.8% |
| 2023 | 155 | 121 | 78.1% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: Sophathisana Senior Secondary School (4321096).
Subject pass rates
Sophatisana Secondary School offered 11 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 86.5%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 58.1%. 2 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate (English (FAL), History). 1 subject fell below a 60% pass rate (Mathematics).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 43 | 25 |
58.1%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 93 | 85 |
91.4%
|
| Physical Sciences | 43 | 27 |
62.8%
|
| Life Sciences | 43 | 34 |
79.1%
|
| English (FAL) | 136 | 136 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 21 | 13 |
61.9%
|
| Business Studies | 21 | 18 |
85.7%
|
| Economics | 21 | 18 |
85.7%
|
| Geography | 72 | 65 |
90.3%
|
| History | 51 | 51 |
100.0%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 43 | 36 |
83.7%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 67 other secondary schools in East London.
Sophatisana Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 0.8 percentage points below the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Sophatisana 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 Sophatisana Secondary School for 2027?
Sophatisana Secondary School is a no-fee public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in Reeston, East London, Eastern Cape, so parents pay no tuition fees for 2027. All 1,290 enrolled learners attend at no charge. Budget instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and excursions. For voluntary contributions or admission fees, phone 083 653 4093.
Is Sophatisana Secondary School a no-fee school?
Sophatisana Secondary School is classified no-fee under Q3 and forms part of the state-funded schools serving Reeston, East London, Eastern Cape. Parents pay no tuition fees.
What is the quintile of Sophatisana Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
As a Q3 public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in the Buffalo City district, Sophatisana 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 Sophatisana Secondary School, families in Eastern Cape apply directly at the Sophatisana Secondary School school office. The exact Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) process in the Buffalo City education district is summarised below.
-
1
Confirm availability with Sophatisana Secondary School
Call 083 653 4093 to confirm whether Sophatisana Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 51126 Dice Street,Reeston,East London,5247 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 Sophatisana Secondary School during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Sophatisana 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 Sophatisana Secondary School. If declined, you may appeal at the Buffalo City 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 Sophatisana Secondary School for the next school year?
Sophatisana Secondary School processes applications at the school office. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. Reach the school directly via phone 083 653 4093 to confirm openings in the Buffalo City district.
What documents do I need to apply at Sophatisana Secondary School?
When applying to Sophatisana Secondary School, you'll typically need: • 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) Additional items may be requested by Sophatisana Secondary School depending on the grade; confirm via phone 083 653 4093.