John Ross College

John Ross College is a public high school in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, in the King Cetshwayo education district. The Department of Basic Education classifies it as a secondary school. In 2025 it had 923 learners and 43 educators, about 21.5 learners per educator. That makes it larger than the average for public high schools in KwaZulu-Natal (699 learners). It is a quintile 5 school, meaning it serves the wealthiest 20% of communities according to the national poverty ranking. It is a fee-paying public school. Parents who cannot afford the fees can apply to the school for a full or partial exemption. In the 2025 matric exams, 88.6% of its 211 candidates passed (KwaZulu-Natal average: 90.6%).

Matric (NSC) results

88.6% of the school's 211 matric candidates passed in 2025, close to the KwaZulu-Natal average of 90.6%.

Year	Wrote	Passed	Pass rate	KwaZulu-Natal
2023	186	159	85.5%	86.4%
2024	164	149	90.9%	89.7%
2025	211	187	88.6%	90.6%

Source: Department of Basic Education, 2025 NSC School Performance Report. Pass rate = candidates who achieved the NSC ÷ candidates who wrote. It doesn't show bachelor passes, distinctions or learners who left before Grade 12.

School facts

School type	Public high school
Phase (DBE)	Secondary School
Specialisation	Secondary Subjects
Sector	Public
Quintile	5 of 5 (what is this?)
School fees	Fee-paying
Section 21	No
Learners (2025)	923
Educators (2025)	43
Learners per educator	21.5 (province average 30.3)
Urban or rural	Urban
EMIS number	500171458
Exam centre number	5113429

Address and location

Street address	Saligna Road,arboretum,richards Bay,3900
Postal address	Private Bag X1021,richardsbay,3900
Town	Richards Bay
Province	KwaZulu-Natal
Education district	King Cetshwayo
Circuit	Richards Bay
Municipality	uMhlathuze Local Municipality
Ward	52802003
Former department	House of Assembly(HOA)

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Admissions

Applications for Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 8 at public schools in KwaZulu-Natal open the year before your child starts school. Contact the school for its application form and dates. Read our guide on applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8.