Overview
St Johns College is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Umtata, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,950 learners and is staffed by 68 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 moderate 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 78.8% (268 of 340 candidates).
St Johns College Matric Performance
Since 2023, St Johns College has remained fairly steady, moving from a 78.4% pass rate to 78.8% in 2025, the most recent year, 340 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 340 | 268 | 78.8% |
| 2024 | 296 | 217 | 73.3% |
| 2023 | 273 | 214 | 78.4% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: St Johns College (4291073).
Subject pass rates
St Johns College offered 8 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 86.9%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 67.9%. 1 subject recorded a 100% pass rate (English (FAL)).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 340 | 231 |
67.9%
|
| Physical Sciences | 340 | 256 |
75.3%
|
| Life Sciences | 340 | 320 |
94.1%
|
| English (FAL) | 340 | 340 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 52 | 51 |
98.1%
|
| Geography | 127 | 121 |
95.3%
|
| History | 68 | 67 |
98.5%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 93 | 92 |
98.9%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 27 other secondary schools in Umtata.
St Johns College's 2025 pass rate is 0.9 percentage points below the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
St Johns College 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 St Johns College for 2027?
Tuition at St Johns College 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 1656 for specifics.
Is St Johns College a no-fee school?
Yes, St Johns College 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 1,950 learners.
What is the quintile of St Johns College and what does it mean for fees?
Classified as Q3 by the Department of Basic Education, St Johns College falls within the no-fee category, meaning the 1,950 learners attending here in Umtata, Mthatha, Eastern Cape pay no school fees.
How to apply
To enrol your child at St Johns College, families in Eastern Cape apply directly at the St Johns College 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 St Johns College
Call 047 531 1656 to confirm whether St Johns College has open places for the year you're applying.
-
2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 50 Callaway Street,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 St Johns College during the school's published admission window.
-
4
Pay any required deposits or fees
St Johns College 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 St Johns College. 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 St Johns College for the next school year?
To apply to St Johns College for the next academic year, collect and submit the application form directly at St Johns College. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. For confirmation of available places, contact St Johns College via phone 047 531 1656.
What documents do I need to apply at St Johns College?
St Johns College 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 St Johns College (phone 047 531 1656) for any school-specific requirements.