Overview
Portland Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Portland, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,511 learners and is staffed by 42 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 36:1), operating as a fee-charging school (Q5). It falls within the Metro South education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 96.8% (239 of 247 candidates).
Portland Secondary School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Portland Secondary School has improved, moving from a 89.6% pass rate to 96.8% in 2025, the most recent year, 247 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 247 | 239 | 96.8% |
| 2024 | 273 | 259 | 94.9% |
| 2023 | 260 | 233 | 89.6% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: PORTLAND SEC. (1006621).
Subject pass rates
Portland Secondary School offered 9 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 93.2%. Life Sciences performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 66.7%. 1 subject recorded a 100% pass rate (Life Sciences).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 45 | 30 |
66.7%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 202 | 193 |
95.5%
|
| Physical Sciences | 22 | 18 |
81.8%
|
| Life Sciences | 89 | 89 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 26 | 18 |
69.2%
|
| Business Studies | 78 | 69 |
88.5%
|
| Economics | 40 | 38 |
95.0%
|
| Geography | 183 | 177 |
96.7%
|
| History | 118 | 116 |
98.3%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 274 other secondary schools in City of Cape Town.
Portland Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 8.9 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Q5 fees vary widely. Confirm Portland Secondary School's 2027 fee schedule directly with the school office.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Portland Secondary School for 2027?
For 2027, Portland Secondary School (Q5) falls within a r8,000 – r45,000+ per year (typical range) band and serves 1,511 learners in the Metro South district. The SGB sets the precise fee annually; phone 021 374 4141 for the published amount.
Is Portland Secondary School a no-fee school?
No, Portland Secondary School is a fee-charging school (Q5) in the Metro South district. Annual fees are set by the SGB and apply to all enrolled learners.
What is the quintile of Portland Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
As a Q5 public secondary school (Grades 8–12), Portland Secondary School receives the smallest per-learner state subsidy and relies on parent-paid fees, set by the SGB, to fund its 42 educators and operations.
How to apply
Applications to Portland Secondary School for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are submitted via the WCED Online Admissions online system, with confirmation handled by Portland Secondary School in the Metro South education district. Below is the step-by-step process specific to Western Cape.
-
1
Confirm availability with Portland Secondary School
Call 021 374 4141 to confirm whether Portland Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
-
2
Start the application
Register on the WCED Online Admissions portal when applications open and select Portland Secondary School as a preferred school.
-
3
Submit your documents
Upload all required documents to the WCED Online Admissions portal before the published cut-off and keep your reference number.
-
4
Pay any required deposits or fees
If accepted, Portland Secondary School (an SGB-funded school) may require a registration deposit. The exact amount is confirmed by the school.
-
5
Confirm placement and enrol
Check your WCED Online Admissions dashboard for the placement outcome. If accepted, complete on-site registration at Portland Secondary School.
- 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 Portland Secondary School for the next school year?
To apply to Portland Secondary School for the next academic year, register on the WCED Online Admissions portal during the official admission window and select Portland Secondary School as a preferred school. WCED Online Admissions for Grade 1 and Grade 8 typically opens in March/April of the preceding year. For confirmation of available places, contact Portland Secondary School via phone 021 374 4141.
What documents do I need to apply at Portland Secondary School?
Portland 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 Portland Secondary School (phone 021 374 4141) for any school-specific requirements and to verify what must be uploaded to the WCED Online Admissions.