The principal of Apex High School in Eerste River says she is most proud of the school’s bachelors pass rate, after the school outperformed most schools in the area.
The school achieved an overall pass rate of 84,5% for the 2021 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
Of the 155 learners to matriculate this year, 62,5% of the class achieved bachelors endorsements, which far exceeds the national average (36,4%).
It is also more than double the Western Cape’s average for no-fee schools (30,9%) and just over 10% points more than the fee-paying average in the province (52,3%).
Situated in the heart of Eerste River, Apex High School was opened in 2018 in partnership with Acorn Education, a non-profit school operating partner. The 2021 matric cohort was the school and principal Renate van der Westhuizen’s first.
Van der Weshuizen, who last year won the Excellence in Leadership award at the National Teacher’s Awards ceremony, says she is proud of everyone who is linked to the school.
“At the school we believe in working as a team and this is the results we achieve because of that.
“Congratulations to all of our 2021 class, teachers, and partners.
“We could not be more proud of this tremendous achievement.
“The past two years were filled with challenges and they all boldly embraced our motto, ‘Whatever it takes’.
“We wish our matriculants all the best the world has to offer on their journey to adulthood and new careers, and remind those who did not achieve their goals that there are other routes and resources available,,” she says.
Acorn Education CEO Jana du Plooy says this year’s outstanding matric and bachelor pass rate would not have been possible without the efforts of Apex High School’s dedicated staff, resilient learners, and our partners over the past four years.
“These results are confirmation that our model works and unprecedented success is possible when it is implemented.
“Today is the most important day in Acorn and Apex’s history and one of many we hope to help our current and future partner schools achieve,” she says.
The Western Cape had a pass rate 81,2%, compared to the 2020 rate of 79,2%.
