Christel House South Africa, our non-profit independent school in Ottery, Cape Town, has achieved a 96% matric pass rate for the Class of 2025, with 70% of learners earning Bachelor passes. Serving learners from under-resourced communities, our school provides no-fee, trauma-informed education and holistic support to students living on the poverty line, helping improve long-term socio-economic outcomes.

For the past 25 years, Christel House South Africa has worked to break the cycle of poverty through education and holistic support. The Class of 2025 recorded strong results, with the cohort of 56 matric students collectively achieving 26 subject distinctions.

For students who attend our school, matric results represent far more than academic achievement. They mark a turning point in the lives of students, their families, and the communities they come from.

Supporting Students Through Matric

Christel House supports matric learners through a range of targeted initiatives, including the Matric Intensive Programme. During exams, the school’s multipurpose hall is transformed into a dormitory and study hub, allowing students to remain on campus in a safe, distraction-free environment.

Here, learners receive nutritious meals and after-hours mentorship from teachers, ensuring they are fully supported during one of the most important periods of their academic journey.

According to Chief Academic Officer Dr Ronald Fortune, the numbers only tell part of the story.

“While we are immensely proud of our 2025 matric learners and the many commendable results they achieved, it’s important to remember that beyond these statistics are powerful student stories of ambition and purpose.”

Student Success Stories Behind the Results

Top-performing student and Valedictorian Alique J. from Hanover Park achieved four distinctions. He has joined Stellenbosch University, pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy, placing him on a path few in his family could once imagine.

Alique joined Christel House in Grade R and faced immense personal challenges along the way, including the loss of his mother two years ago. He credits the school’s support for helping him overcome these hardships.

“I wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for Christel House and the incredible staff,” he says.

Alique hopes to make a meaningful difference by assisting children with special needs in his community.

His aunt, Nastasja Williams, whose daughter will be a 2026 matric student at Christel House, says she is incredibly proud of her nephew’s achievements and for being an example to younger family members.

Second-ranked student Kuhle J., from Philippi, is a passionate advocate for women in STEM. She achieved three distinctions and has been provisionally accepted to study Biomedical Engineering at Stellenbosch University.

“This field excites me because it allows me to combine my passion for technology, biology and robotics with my deep desire to help others,” she says. “I want to use innovative technologies to address healthcare challenges in South Africa.”

Outperforming Provincial Benchmarks

While the Western Cape Education Department recorded its highest-ever matric pass rate of 88% and a Bachelor pass rate of 49% in 2025, Christel House SA continues to outperform provincial benchmarks.

However, results represent only one part of our organisation’s broader mission.

Dr Fortune explains:

“Our objective is to see our learners achieve upward economic mobility. We therefore focus on character and career readiness as key components of our curriculum, starting from the age of four.”

Today, 97% of Christel House alumni are either working, studying, or doing both, demonstrating the long-term impact of the school’s holistic education model.

Support Beyond Matric

Unlike many schools, Christel House SA’s commitment does not end at matric. Graduates continue to benefit from the school’s Career Development Programme, which provides up to five years of post-matric support.

Looking ahead, Christel House continues to expand its impact in response to the severe shortage of no-fee independent schools supporting talented young people from under-resourced communities.

The second cohort of 60 new Grade 8 learners joined the Christel House family in 2026, marking the continued growth of the school’s high school programme.

Plans are also underway to establish another Grade RR–12 Christel House school in the Western Cape, subject to securing land.

Partner With Christel House South Africa

Organisations and individuals interested in supporting Christel House’s mission are encouraged to visit the campus or learn more about the Christel House model.

To become a partner, please contact Development & Partnerships Director, Lara Black, at lblack@sa.christelhouse.org or 021 704 9407.