King David High School

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An exceptional destination Jewish High School

King David High School, located on the Linksfield Campus, is the premier destination high school for the Jewish community. Students aspire to represent the school on the stage and sports fields and take up the batons of leadership and distinction available to all. The high school’s unparalleled offering includes highly trained and skilled educators, truly world-class facilities, an advanced curriculum offering extensive subject choices and a world of opportunity in sports, arts, culture and electives. Every aspect of the high school experience is intentionally designed to ignite curiosity, explore potential and develop talent and mastery in a broad range of disciplines.

Welcome to the King David High School Family

Lorraine Srage

Head of School,
King David High School

“At King David High School, we believe a school is more than classrooms and corridors, it is a second home. Here, students find a nurturing environment where friendships flourish, values are lived, and every child can feel a sense of belonging. Our atmosphere is warm, vibrant, and filled with energy, reflecting the joy of learning and the bonds of community. We strive to create a space where students feel safe to explore, grow, and discover themselves, knowing they are supported by teachers, peers, and a wider family that celebrates their individuality and potential.

Our commitment is to the Pursuit of Excellence. Academic rigour is at the heart of our teaching, encouraging intellectual curiosity and a love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom. We prepare our students to achieve outstanding results in the IEB examinations, but we see these achievements not as an end in themselves, but as a foundation for a purposeful life. Knowledge is a tool for impact, and success is measured not only in grades but in the ability to think critically, act ethically, and contribute meaningfully to society. At King David, we cultivate scholars who are prepared for careers, but more importantly, for lives of significance that make a difference in the world.

Central to our mission is the principle of L’dor V’dor—from generation to generation. We provide the roots of Jewish heritage so that our students may grow wings to soar into the future. Through Hebrew studies, engagement with Israel, Jewish studies and the integration of secular knowledge, we create a synthesis that grounds students in tradition while equipping them for modern challenges. We are a proudly Orthodox school welcoming families of all levels of observance and fostering respect for diverse practices and beliefs. This inclusive spirit ensures that every child feels connected to their heritage while empowered to chart their own path. In nurturing identity, we give our students both a strong foundation and the freedom to dream boldly.

We believe education is not only about academics but about shaping the whole person. Sports, arts, and leadership opportunities are spaces where character is tested and refined. Whether on the playing field, the stage, or in positions of responsibility, students learn resilience, creativity, and empathy. These experiences build confidence and integrity, ensuring that when they leave King David, they do so not only as accomplished students but as compassionate leaders ready to serve their communities.

We warmly invite you to visit our school and experience our spirit firsthand. Walk our halls, meet our dedicated teachers, and see the joy of learning alive in our classrooms. Discover how we blend academic excellence, Jewish identity, and personal growth into a holistic education that prepares children for both success and purpose. We look forward to welcoming your family into ours, and to partnering with you in shaping the future of your child.”

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Jewish Life & Learning

Jewish life sits at the core of King David High School and is lived every day, anchoring students in values that will guide their journey. Festivals, Hebrew language, daily prayer, Jewish history, connection to Israel, and engagement with dynamic formal and informal Jewish educators shape students’ identities, resilience, and sense of purpose. In this immersive Jewish environment, students experience so much, such as shabbatonim that inspire, challah bakes that connect and programmes like Discover, Encounter and DIJEPlus. Our partnerships with external organisations give our students extra opportunities for growth and leadership through experiences like Hadracha, Diller and BBYO.

These are more than programmes, they are links to past generations, the global Jewish community, and pathways to a shared future, providing a clear moral and values-based framework through which they understand themselves and the world.

Educational Excellence

Top IEB Matric Results

King David’s IEB matric certificate opens doors to higher learning, allowing students to apply to top universities locally and worldwide. The IEB curriculum is designed to stimulate critical thinking and creative application of knowledge, 21st century skills that stand students in good stead. These skills are reflected in the fact that King David students have the highest throughput at Wits University and have gone on to excel at Ivy League schools.

King David consistently scores above the IEB’s average. We continue to feature on the IEB’s Outstanding List (top 5% of results in 6 subjects and 80% for Life Orientation) as well as the IEB Commendable List (top 5% in 5 subjects and 80% for Life Orientation). King David students also regularly feature in the top 1% of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English and Life Sciences (out of over 16 000 students countrywide). For the past five years, all Hebrew students have earned over 80%, and Hebrew consistently ranks among the most widely chosen matric subject.

Our unbroken 100% matric pass rate, 99% university entrance rate, and grade averages are all the more remarkable because we have no admission requirement. Students with barriers to learning receive 3.5 hours additional support in English, Afrikaans and Math every week, while every student has access to weekly clinics in each subject. Exceptional results come standard.

Electives

Possibly one of King David’s most exciting, unconventional and innovative educational offerings is our choice of electives in Grade 8 and 9. These offer the student full immersion into their subjects of choice, where the point is not to cover a syllabus but to uncover the depth and richness beneath the surface. Curiosity becomes the student’s guide, igniting a passion and interest for lifelong learning beyond core subjects. The results are a rigorous, academically sound, integrated, vibrant, inspiring, enjoyable and relevant curriculum that is the envy of many schools.

Electives differ from traditional teacher-led learning, demanding active participation, problem solving, creativity, collaboration and ownership from students – all 21st century skills. Teachers mentor students along the journey of discovery and assessments take the form of projects, not exams. The sky’s the limit when it comes to materials and technologies used. Where relevant, projects are entered into competitions and exhibitions and are all showcased at the school’s annual Elective Fair – a highlight on the academic calendar for teachers, parents and students alike. Some of our innovative and exciting electives include:

Economic Management Studies (EMS) - Accounting and Business Studies

Accounting

EMS01 – Accounting 101 (Gr 9): Cash & credit transactions, financial statements, budgeting, and introduction to cost accounting.

EMS02 – Crunching Numbers (Gr 8, Sem 2): Accounting fundamentals, banking, funding, and financial calculations using digital tools.

Business Studies

EMS11 – Going Public (Gr 8): Develop real marketing campaigns for global brands through collaboration, creativity, and school events.

EMS12 – Money Maestros (Gr 8): Master real-world investing, banking, and financial skills through gamification, Minecraft simulations, and virtual city-building.

EMS13 – Ideation & Entrepreneurship (Gr 9, Semester 2): Develop, prototype, and pitch startup ideas to industry experts from Merchant Capital.

Geography (GEO)

Geography

GEO01 – Seas The Day (Gr 8): Explore ocean movement, ecology, resources, and phenomena like reefs, tsunamis, and trenches.

GEO02 – Cities: Beauty or Beast (Gr 8): Design sustainable, innovative green cities to tackle the challenges of urban population growth.

GEO03 – Nature’s Wrath (Gr 8 & 9): Discover the science behind natural hazards and how communities survive and recover from nature’s fury.

GEO11 – Space: The Final Frontier (Gr 9): Embark on a cosmic journey exploring the universe and humanity’s future in outer space.

History (HIS)

History

HIS11 – Victors & Victims (Gr 8): Bring WW1 to life through creative tasks, propaganda posters, battle scene building, and film.

HIS12 – It’s a Revolution (Gr 8): Explore the French Revolution through immersive storytelling, roleplay, and royal drama.

HIS13 – Dictators & Destroyers (Gr 9): Investigate Hitler’s rise to power through films, debates, guest speakers, and a Holocaust Centre outing.

HIS14 – Villains & Heroes (Gr 9): Explore Apartheid’s darkest chapters and its heroes through trials, campaigns, films, and a Constitution Hill tour.

HIS15 – Pillar of Fire (Gr 9): Trace the establishment of Israel through Zionism, the Balfour Declaration, Aliyahs, and guest speakers.

HIS16 – Gemora Kops (Gr 9): Sharpen critical thinking through the art of Talmudic argument, debate, and Jewish intellectual tradition.

Humanities (HUM) - Creative arts, dramatic arts, dance, life orientation and music

Creative Arts

HUM01 – Splattered (Gr 8): Explore diverse painting styles, mediums, and colour techniques inspired by renowned artists.

HUM02 – Hands On & Fired Up (Gr 8): Learn hand-building pottery and sculpture using traditional and found materials with a focus on repurposing.

HUM03 – Sketchy Business (Gr 8): Build core drawing skills in line, tone, shading, and perspective through pencil-focused hands-on projects.

HUM04 – ART-ificial Intelligence (Gr 9): Fuse traditional art with AI tools and technology to elevate creativity into a new dimension.

HUM05 – Level Up: Advanced Pottery (Gr 9, requires HUM02): Advance ceramics skills with glazing, functional objects, and mixed-media sculpture techniques.

Dramatic Arts

HUM12 – Drama Skills are Life Skills (Gr 8): Master improvisation, public speaking, and creative confidence through acting exercises and performance.

HUM13 – You Call the Show! (Gr 8): Learn end-to-end event management from concept and budget to logistics, staffing, and live execution.

HUM14 – The Art of Acting (Gr 9): Develop deep character portrayal through physicality, voice, expression, and established acting techniques.

Life Orientation

HUM21 – It’s Your Life (Gr 9, auto-enrolled): Navigate social media, mental health, relationships, career guidance, and 21st-century future skills.

Music

HUM31 – Music Lab (Gr 8): Compose beats, explore music history, and discover the business of the industry using digital tools — no experience needed.

HUM32 – Sonic Craft (Gr 9, Sem 1): Compose original music using DAW software while exploring rock, pop, and jazz history and songwriting.

HUM33 – Musical Mojo (Gr 9, Sem 2): Refine performance, theory, and history skills through ensemble playing, improvisation, and concert planning.

Dance

HUM41 – So You Think You Can Dance! (Gr 8): Explore jazz, afro-fusion, contemporary, and more through technique, improvisation, and creative expression.

So You Think You Can Dance!

HUM42– So You Think You Can Dance! Extended (Gr 9): Advance dance skills through commercial styles, musical theatre, and film-inspired choreography — prior experience required.

Technology (TEC) - Information Technology and Programming

Grade 8

TEC01 – Intro to Robotics & Coding: Build circuits, code sensors, and solve real-world healthcare challenges using Arduino, Tinkercad, and Python.

TEC02 – LEGO® Spike Prime: Design and code functional LEGO models through engineering challenges and collaborative problem-solving.

TEC03 – Junkbots: Transform recyclable materials into working mechanical creations using hydraulics, levers, gears, and basic electrics.

TEC04 – Animation: Create 2D and 3D animated stories through character design, movement, and digital storytelling tools.

TEC05 – Sew Creative! (Gr 8): Learn hand and machine sewing, crafting personalised items enhanced with Cricut digital design and printing.

Grade 9

TEC11 – Robotics & Game Development: Explore AI, coding, and game design, culminating in an original student-built tech project.

TEC12 – Graphic Design & Film Study: Master visual communication through colour, typography, and design while producing your own film trailers.

TEC13 – Laser Cutting & Woodwork: Build purposeful woodwork projects and design precision laser-cut creations using professional tools.

TEC14 – 3D Printing & Microbits: Design 3D models in Tinkercad and code Microbits to build smart, sustainable real-world solutions.

TEC15 – Minecraft Coding & Redstone Engineering: Build complex circuits and machines in Minecraft while learning Boolean logic, coding, and engineering fundamentals.

Life Sciences (LSC) – Biology and Consumer Studies

Biology

LSC01 – Red Alert: Blood & Immunity (Gr 8): Explore how blood, white cells, antibodies, and vaccines protect the body through hands-on lab investigations.

LSC02 – Grey’s Anatomy: Discovering the Human Body (Gr 8): Tour every major body system through case studies and practicals, building a foundation for senior Life Sciences.

LSC03 – Fit & Flex: The Science Behind Sport (Gr 9): Explore how the body moves, fuels, and recovers, blending Life Sciences and Sports Science through practicals.

LSC04 – Birds & Bees: The Science Behind Reproduction (Gr 9): Uncover pregnancy, reproductive systems, sexual health, and hormones through investigative life science study.

Consumer Studies

LSC11 – Fusion Foods in South Africa (Gr 9): Create innovative cross-cultural dishes while developing real-world entrepreneurial, costing, and marketing skills.

Digital Transformation

Beginning in pre-primary and primary school, King David students are being prepared for a rapidly changing world, where adaptability to new technologies is critical, from the most complex of industries to the most basic of tasks. Skills like sequencing, pattern recognition and decomposition are learned early on, preparing the way for the world of coding, robotics, machine learning and technologies not yet thought of.

Whether or not students choose technology-focused electives, all students are empowered to embrace digital transformation across their learning experience. A laptop bank allows all students access to computers, so no student is disadvantaged. King David students are ahead of the curve with transferable skills and their use of the real-world technologies used at university and career level.

As a Microsoft Showcase School, King David’s teachers are all MCE (Microsoft Certified Educator) and MIE (Microsoft Innovative Educator) trained, incorporating technologies like smartboard and smart projectors into the classroom and assessments. We continue to offer teachers, students and parents guidance to use available technology efficiently, appropriately, ethically, safely and responsibly.

Students have access to cutting edge hardware and software technologies many can only dream of, including 3D printers, cricut machines, laser cutters and robotics, experimenting with new technologies and transferring these skills across subject choices.

As we embrace digital transformation, King David is mindful of the importance of traditional learning and its vital role in shaping neural pathways that digital applications cannot. We remain committed to nurturing the creativity, compassion and collaboration that make for a more human world.

Entrepreneurship & Leadership Development

At King David, entrepreneurship and leadership are not taught as abstract concepts but lived experiences that empower students to shape their futures with confidence and purpose. Preparing students for careers and industries that may not yet exist requires a focus on personal agency, real-world problem-solving and the ability to lead with vision. Through a dynamic combination of academic programmes, electives and leadership opportunities, students are equipped to turn ideas into action and make a meaningful impact.

Entrepreneurship is embedded in the Business Studies curriculum and enriched through hands-on electives that guide students from ideation and prototyping to financial planning, pitching and marketing. In Grade 9, the Ideation and Entrepreneurship elective, in partnership with industry experts from Merchant Capital, immerses students in the world of startups. Working in teams, they tackle real-world challenges, develop innovative business ideas and present their pitches to a panel of professionals in a high-energy, Shark Tank-style Demo Day. Along the way, students benefit from mentorship and gain valuable insight into the realities of business and finance.

In Grade 10, students can further explore purpose-driven enterprise through ORT YEP (Youth Entrepreneurship Program), where social entrepreneurship takes centre stage. Teams respond to creative challenges, develop impactful ideas and refine them into viable business plans with guidance from industry panels. Finalists go on to represent ORT’s Southern Hemisphere on an international stage, opening doors to global perspectives and networks.

Leadership development is equally intentional and experiential. Through a range of student-led committees, pupils build essential skills in communication, collaboration and responsibility while contributing meaningfully to school life. These committees form the foundation for formal leadership roles in Grade 11, where elected student leaders coordinate initiatives, meet regularly and participate in leadership development programmes, including team-building and conflict resolution workshops.

Service and leadership are deeply interconnected at King David. All students are involved in Interact, whose ongoing initiatives support those in need within the Jewish community and beyond. In doing so, students not only develop empathy and a sense of responsibility, but also understand the power of leadership in action.

There’s something for everyone with the following committees:

Judaica and Zionism: Brings Jewish identity to life through engaging activations and meaningful programming centred on Israel, Jewish festivals, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Outreach: Makes a real difference by organising trips and collections that support Jewish organisations, NGOs and non-profits serving the broader South African community—alongside impactful Shabbat and holiday collections for disadvantaged children.
Avirah: Keeps the school community informed, engaged and inspired through exciting activations and bulletins covering local and international news, sports highlights and topics that matter.
Arts and Culture: Adds energy and creativity to school life by coordinating dynamic dance and performance elements for key events and celebrations.
Awareness and Advocacy: Shines a spotlight on important causes and historical moments through powerful, thought-provoking campaigns that spark conversation and understanding.
SMACC: Drives connection and school spirit by creating and sharing engaging content across platforms, while bringing the action to life through sports livestreaming and commentary. Powers every moment behind the scenes by delivering professional sound and lighting that elevates school events and performances.

Beyond the classroom

Sports

Great sporting moments are what many King David memories are made of. Those hard-won matches or titles, when the whole school is cheering, are where hours of discipline and training are rewarded and students get to feel like superstars. King David offers a huge range of sporting codes for maximum participation, with upwards of 100 students and multiple teams participating in sports like touch rugby, rugby, netball, soccer and swimming and setting trends in adopting new sports like padel.

King David’s Sport Department ensures all the support, mentorship and coaching needed to achieve excellence and a competitive edge, while our facilities are truly world class and inviting. King David’s sporting environment is conducive for student athletes to reach their potential and the school provides multiple pathways to participation, encouraging commitment and camaraderie. Student athletes excel at the highest levels, from provincial and national placements to international competitions like Maccabi.

Healthy minds and bodies are shaped through physical education but good sportsmanship, integrity and respect for others shape values and character. Sports offer invaluable life lessons whether students win or lose the game. King David students are well aware they represent the Jewish community in interactions with other schools – and do so with pride, prowess and unity.

Our Sports Offering includes

Additional Leagues, competitions and fixtures

Sports At King David

Arts & Culture

King David’s cultural scene is designed to ensure every student feels seen, every voice gets a stage and every talent is explored and expressed.

The schools’ one act plays, internal competitions, annual dance and theatre productions and annual Culture Fest showcase our students’ phenomenal talent. There’s also plenty of scope for creative expression with stage props, sound and lighting for those who prefer to work backstage. External competitions keep our young stars on their toes and King David’s students truly shine while representing the Jewish community with pride.

King David also offers a wide variety of other cultural offerings such as creative writing, arts and pottery, photography, book club, public speaking, debating and philosophy.

Competitions

Arts & Culture At King David

Admissions

We understand that choosing a school is an important decision and we thank you for considering King David to give your child a world-class Jewish education.

Admissions

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