Matric 2025: Top IEB vs Public Results
While the national NSC pass rate climbed to 88%, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) recorded a near-perfect 98.31% pass rate — only marginally down from 2024.
More than 89% of IEB candidates qualified for Bachelor’s degree entry, reinforcing the sector’s dominance.
IEB vs Public (NSC) Results 2025
| System | Pass Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IEB (Private) | 98.31% | 89%+ candidates eligible for Bachelor’s entry |
| NSC (Public/Government) | 88% | Record high, up from 87.3% in 2024 |
Check your 2025 matric results online
IEB candidates:
Only learners who wrote Independent Examinations Board exams can retrieve results on the official IEB portal. See key dates in the table above and log in here:
👉🏾 IEB Online Results Portal
NSC candidates:
Learners who wrote the National Senior Certificate can access results via the Department of Basic Education platforms:
👉🏾 DBE Results Portal
👉🏾 eGovernment Matric Results
What changed from 2024?
A comparison with last year shows remarkable consistency. Schools such as Redhill, Roedean, St Mary’s Waverley, Somerset College and King David Linksfield all retained top-tier status. However, Midstream College surged into the top three nationally, while St John’s College remains the only boys’ school in the overall top 10.
Full district-level comparisons are available here: Ranking Top School Districts: Matric Results 2024 vs 2025.
Top 10 Best Performing Private Schools – 2025
Private schools continue to demonstrate academic strength with high distinction counts, top-1% subject rankings, and entries on the IEB Outstanding Achievement List.
Ranked by average distinctions per candidate, overall pass rates, and Bachelor endorsements:
For families still trying to access results, see our step-by-step guide: How to Check Your 2024 Matric Results – 4 Official Platforms.
| Rank | School | Location | Avg Distinctions | Pass Rate | Bachelor Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redhill School | Johannesburg | 4.30 | 100% | 100% |
| 2 | Roedean School for Girls | Johannesburg | 4.21 | 100% | 100% |
| 3 | Midstream College | Gauteng | 4.20 | 100% | 99% |
| 4 | St Mary’s Waverley | Johannesburg | 4.15 | 100% | 99% |
| 5 | Somerset College | Western Cape | 4.15 | 100% | 100% |
| 6 | Durban Girls’ College | KZN | 4.03 | 100% | 99% |
| 7 | Herschel Girls’ School | Cape Town | 3.90 | 100% | 100% |
| 8 | King David Linksfield | Johannesburg | 3.87 | 100% | 98.6% |
| 9 | Kingsmead College | Johannesburg | 3.80 | 100% | 99% |
| 10 | St John’s College | Johannesburg | 3.70 | 100% | 99% |
Source: IEB 2025 school reports
Standout Schools & Top Students
Redhill School – 309 distinctions across 88 candidates; only SA school offering both IEB & IB Diploma
- Chad Bacher – 8 distinctions, 95% aggregate
- Rohan Curtis – 9 distinctions
- Demi Symanowitz – 9 distinctions
Roedean School for Girls – 50%+ scored above 80%; 18 subjects in top 1%; 3 Outstanding Achievers
Midstream College – Biggest climber
- Jenhara Rooplall – 11 distinctions (97%)
- Imani Ravhulani – 10 distinctions, STEM focus
- Somerset College – Western Cape powerhouse
410 distinctions from 98 pupils
59 students with A averages
40 national top-1% subject awards
(See more on last year’s historic IEB performance: IEB Matric Class of 2024 Achieves Highest Pass Rate in 5 Years)
Top National Achievers – Class of 2025
| Student | School | Distinctions |
|---|---|---|
| Luca van Tonder | Sacred Heart | 11 (93.8%) |
| Jenhara Rooplall | Midstream | 11 (97%) |
| Ruhan Gosai | Sacred Heart | 10 |
| Siza Gule | St John’s | 9 – Harvard admit |
| Kelly Philips | Dainfern | 9 – 99% Maths |
| Dristhi Ramsumer | Crawford NC | 9 |
| Sophia Babaya | St Mary’s | 9 |
| Karla Duvengage | Somerset | 100% Maths |
Returning champions vs new entrants
Held their ground from 2024: Redhill School, Roedean, St Mary’s Waverley, Somerset College, King David Linksfield
Biggest improvements: Midstream College (up from 5th → 3rd), Durban Girls’ College (entered top 10)
Dropped out: SAHETI and Helpmekaar slipped despite 100% pass rates — edged out on distinctions per candidate.
For context on the slight national dip: 2025 IEB Results: Lowest in Three Years — Pass Rate Still Above 98%.
Why private schools dominate
Education analysts cite:
- Smaller classes & specialist teachers
- Advanced STEM facilities
- Structured exam preparation
- Global university pipelines
- Strong parental investment
Yet critics warn of inequality: only 12% of SA learners access this ecosystem.
The Reddford House Story – New Entrant
- 100% pass across three campuses
- 240 distinctions
- 94% Bachelor passes
CEO Ravi Nadasen said: “High expectations and personalised support show what is possible in a non-selective environment.”
What this means for 2026
- Expect stronger competition from co-ed schools
- Girls’ schools continue to outperform on distinctions
- STEM subjects remain decisive differentiators
Have your say
Did your school make the list? Share your results with us at info@nowinsa.co.za.
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