Cape Town – Christel House South Africa, a non-profit, no-fee school within the global Christel House network, has expanded its capacity with the launch of a new high school at its Ottery campus. The development coincides with its 25th anniversary and reinforces a broader growth strategy to scale increased access to quality education in underserved communities.
The new high school, officially opened on 22 May 2026 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, adds capacity for up to 300 additional learners. The expansion is already underway, with 120 Grade 8 and 9 learners enrolled since 2025 as part of a phased intake strategy.
The event was attended by the Western Cape Education Minister together with key stakeholders and donor partners. Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier, comments, “Christel House is a valued education partner and is helping to reshape how we view independent, non-profit education in South Africa. They are delivering excellent learning outcomes, along with a package of support for learners. We value their continued commitment to expanding quality educational opportunities in the Western Cape through the launch of this new High School and future expansion plans that will benefit learners from some of our most under-resourced communities.”
The development responds to sustained demand for no-fee, high-quality education, with applications far exceeding available placements year-on-year. The additional capacity will ease pressure on waiting lists while strengthening the organisation’s long-term learner pipeline.
The new facility includes modern classrooms, a media centre, a Computer Applications Technology (CAT) lab, and expanded administrative and support infrastructure. It also enhances the organisation’s holistic model, which combines education with healthcare, transport, nutrition, psychosocial support, career development services and much more.
“This new high school reflects what is possible when government, education and investment partners, together with our broader community align around a shared commitment to measurable impact in education. We’re deeply grateful to all our valued partners who have helped make this vision a reality. What has been created here is not only expanded access to quality education and holistic support for more children, but a scalable investment in long-term opportunity and social mobility. It is about ensuring that more children are given a seat at the table of life, as our founder, the late Christel DeHaan, so often said,” says Adri Marais, Chief Executive Officer of Christel House South Africa.
Christel House South Africa currently serves 1,000 learners from Grade RR to Grade 12 and provides support for up to five years post-matric. Through donor support, the organisation provides annual scholarships valued at R82,860 per learner in 2026 to deliver this integrated model.
This long-term approach is delivering measurable outcomes, with 95% of alumni transitioning into further education, employment or other meaningful opportunities – demonstrating strong social return on social investment for funding partners.
The high school expansion forms part of a broader 2030 growth strategy. Plans include a 50% increase in Junior School capacity, subject to securing capital investment support, and a doubling of High School enrolment, enabling the Ottery campus to grow to 1,410 learners by 2030.
In parallel, the organisation is awaiting the outcome of the City’s public participation process relating to land identified for a potential second Grade RR–12 campus. The proposed development remains in the site acquisition and approval phase and represents a significant opportunity for corporate partners, suppliers, philanthropists, and impact investors to participate in scaling a proven, holistic education model that is transforming outcomes for children from underserved communities.
Naming rights opportunities across selected campus facilities will be made available to major donors, offering a meaningful combination of legacy impact, philanthropic recognition, and long-term investment in educational transformation
Founded by philanthropist Christel DeHaan, Christel House International operates 10 schools globally, with the Ottery campus its only presence in Africa. Five additional Christel House schools are in development, reflecting a growing international footprint and the scalability of its model.
Businesses interested in partnership opportunities or co-investment in the new campus development can find more information at https://sa.christelhouse.org/ or contact Development and Partnerships Director, Lara Black: [email protected] / 083 326 1168.