Roosevelt High School in Randburg, Johannesburg, has attracted significant attention following controversy surrounding its recent Matric Dance.
The incident has also prompted interest in the school itself, including the cost of attending the public high school and what families are required to pay in annual fees.
A Fee-Paying Public School
Although Roosevelt High School is a public school, it falls under the quintile five classification.
Quintile five schools are fee-paying institutions, meaning government funding does not cover all of their operating costs. Schools in this category can therefore charge fees that are determined through their own governing structures.
Reported Annual Fees
The school’s official website does not appear to make its 2026 fee structure readily accessible. However, fees previously listed for 2023 provide an indication of the costs involved.
The reported annual fee for Grade 8 learners was R41 000, while learners from Grade 9 through Grade 12 were charged R38 000 per year.
An additional R4 000 was payable when a learner was accepted into the school.
These figures are based on the previously published fee information and should not necessarily be regarded as the current 2026 fee structure.
Sports and Extracurricular Activities
Roosevelt High School provides learners with access to a range of sporting activities.
Among the sports offered are soccer, netball, squash, softball, rugby and archery, alongside other activities available to learners.
The extracurricular programme forms part of the broader school experience for pupils attending the Johannesburg institution.
Matric Dance Sparks Controversy
The school has recently faced scrutiny over events surrounding its Matric Dance.
According to reports about the event, some learners allegedly arrived under the influence of alcohol and drugs. There were also reports of threats involving firearms during the procession and reckless driving at the venue.
The situation reportedly escalated further when intoxicated learners became seriously ill, with some vomiting inside the venue.
Principal Takes Firm Action
Roosevelt High School principal Cristèl Venter drew praise for her response to the disruption.
Her handling of the incident was described by supporters as a firm and no-nonsense approach to maintaining order during an event that had reportedly descended into chaos.
The controversy has placed additional attention on the responsibilities of schools, parents and learners when it comes to major school functions.
Fees and School Expectations
The reported fees place Roosevelt High School among the fee-paying public schools that require families to make a significant financial contribution toward their children’s education.
While the school offers a broad range of sporting activities, the recent Matric Dance controversy has shifted public attention toward the conduct of learners and the measures schools take when events get out of control.
What Parents Should Know
Families considering Roosevelt High School should confirm the latest fee structure directly with the school, particularly because the figures publicly available in the source material relate to 2023 rather than the 2026 academic year.
The previously reported figures nevertheless show that attending the school involves substantial annual fees despite its status as a public institution.
