Choosing a secondary school for Form 1 in 2027
Picking a secondary school is one of the biggest decisions in a child's schooling. This guide covers what to compare, what to ask, and where to find every secondary school we list: 2,975 across all ten provinces, with reviews from other parents where we have them.
1. Decide what matters most to your family
Before you look at any school, agree on your must-haves: day or boarding, how far your child can travel each day, ZIMSEC or Cambridge, single-sex or co-ed, a church or mission ethos, and what you can afford per term once levies and extras are added. Writing these down makes it much easier to rule schools in or out.
2. Make a shortlist
Use the province and town pages below, or search the directory, which can filter by province, boarding, curriculum and whether a school has parent reviews. On a phone, “Schools near me” shows the closest schools to where you are. Tap Compare on up to three schools to see fees, curriculum, boarding and parent ratings side by side.
3. Ask every school the same questions
- Which subjects and combinations do you offer at O Level, and at A Level if we stay on?
- Which exams will my child sit? From 2027 every school must enter learners for ZIMSEC; is the school also applying to offer Cambridge?
- How many pupils are in a Form 1 class?
- What were your O Level results in the last two years, and how many pupils sat?
- What does a full term cost, including levies, boarding and extras?
- For boarding: how often can we visit, how are weekends run, and who looks after the children at night?
- How do teachers keep parents informed, and how quickly does admin respond?
- What sports, clubs and support for children who need extra help do you offer?
4. Visit, and talk to parents
A visit tells you things a brochure can't: how the school treats children in the corridors, the state of the toilets and dorms, and whether staff answer your questions straight. Talk to parents whose children are there now, and read their reviews here. Each review rates academics, teachers, admin, safety, value for fees and more.
5. Apply on time, and to more than one school
Application windows, entrance tests and documents differ from school to school and can change each year. Note every deadline, keep copies of birth certificates and Grade 7 reports ready, and apply to a few schools you'd be happy with rather than just one.
