St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls

St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls (St Mary’s DSG, fondly “the Saints”) is a leading independent Christian school for girls in the leafy, nature-filled suburb of Kloof, on rolling grounds some 660 metres above sea level overlooking Durban and the Indian Ocean. Founded in 1906 by the Anglican nuns of the Order of St John the Divine – originally as St Elizabeth’s, on land donated by the Field family – it moved to its present Kloof site in 1909 and was re-established as St Mary’s DSG in 1919. Today it educates around 1,000 girls from Grade R to Grade 12, with boarding available from Grade 8, running its primary and high schools on a single 9-hectare property.

A Christian, all-girls’ school steeped in tradition and family values, St Mary’s instils lifelong Christian values and a strong sense of accountability, guided by its motto “Service Before Self; God Before All.” Yet for all its heritage of over a century, its thinking is innovative and its approach progressive and modern. The school encourages each girl to measure herself against her own performance rather than others’, building self-worth, self-respect and self-motivation so that she can become the best version of herself.

Academically, St Mary’s has a proven track record of excellent IEB results, supported by a low teacher-to-pupil ratio of around 1:12, caring staff and a technology-rich campus. A wide range of sporting and cultural activities helps each girl flourish across academic, sporting and creative spheres. Full fee and admissions details are available directly from the school.