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The ultimate guide to selecting and applying for high school in 2026
Help with every step of the Grade 7 high school application process, in one guide.
This free guide from UCT Online High School helps parents of Grade 7 learners through the high school application process. It covers the application timelines and procedures in each province, how to choose the right school, where to get in-person help, what to do if your child doesn’t get a place, and how the NSC works.
What’s in this guide
- Annual high school application timelines
- Criteria to help you choose the right high school for your child
- The application procedures in each province
- Where to get in-person help in each province
- What to do if your child doesn’t get into the school you wanted
- The ins and outs of the National Senior Certificate (NSC)
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About this guide
As the parent or guardian of a Grade 7 learner, you’re probably already in the thick of high school applications. With a busy schedule and a lot riding on the decision, you could probably use some support.
As educators, and as parents, we understand. We also know the application process is tricky, tangled and inconsistent. Public, private and online high schools all have their own procedures, and they can vary widely.
From annual application timelines to choosing the right school and finding in-person help in your province, we’ve covered it all so you don’t have to.
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UCT Online High School is registered with the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), which is accredited by Umalusi.