Overview
Umso High School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Colesberg, Northern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 909 learners and is staffed by 32 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 28:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q2. It falls within the Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl) education district and achieved a strong 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 84.5% (125 of 148 candidates).
Umso High School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Umso High School has improved, moving from a 73.1% pass rate to 84.5% in 2025, the most recent year, 148 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 148 | 125 | 84.5% |
| 2024 | 155 | 144 | 92.9% |
| 2023 | 145 | 106 | 73.1% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: H/SCHOOL UMSO (2023403).
Subject pass rates
Umso High School offered 10 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 83.4%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 99.3%, while Accounting was the weakest at 40.0%. 2 subjects fell below a 60% pass rate (Life Sciences, Accounting).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 29 | 26 |
89.7%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 119 | 95 |
79.8%
|
| Physical Sciences | 27 | 22 |
81.5%
|
| Life Sciences | 100 | 56 |
56.0%
|
| English (FAL) | 148 | 147 |
99.3%
|
| Accounting | 15 | 6 |
40.0%
|
| Business Studies | 48 | 37 |
77.1%
|
| Economics | 15 | 12 |
80.0%
|
| Geography | 100 | 95 |
95.0%
|
| History | 73 | 66 |
90.4%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 16 other secondary schools in Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl).
Umso High School's 2025 pass rate is 3.6 percentage points below the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Umso High School charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery and learner transport.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Umso High School for 2027?
Tuition at Umso High School for the 2027 academic year is R0; the school is officially classified as no-fee (Q2) by the Department of Basic Education in the Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl) district. Parents may still need to cover uniform and stationery costs; phone 051 753 0658 for specifics.
Is Umso High School a no-fee school?
Yes, Umso High School is officially a no-fee school (Q2), recognised as such by the Department of Basic Education in the Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl) district. No tuition is charged to any of its 909 learners.
What is the quintile of Umso High School and what does it mean for fees?
Umso High School is a Q2 school, the lowest of three quintile bands designated as "no-fee" under the SA Schools Act. Serving the Colesberg, Northern Cape community in the Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl) district, it receives full state funding and parents are not charged tuition.
How to apply
Umso High School accepts applications directly at the Umso High School school office in the Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl) education district. The steps and documents required for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are detailed below.
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1
Confirm availability with Umso High School
Call 051 753 0658 to confirm whether Umso High School has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 5 Bendlela Street, Kuyasa, Colesberg, 9795 or download it from the Northern Cape Department of Education website.
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3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Umso High School during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Umso High School is a no-fee school (Q2), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
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5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Umso High School. If declined, you may appeal at the Pixley Ka Seme (Pxl) district office under the Northern Cape Department of Education.
- Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID
- Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens)
- Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months)
- Latest school report
- Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1)
- Most recent end-of-year report from the previous school
- Transfer letter from the previous school (for Grade 8+ transfers)
Admissions questions
How do I apply to Umso High School for the next school year?
To apply to Umso High School for the next academic year, collect and submit the application form directly at Umso High School. Northern Cape applications are made directly at the school office. For confirmation of available places, contact Umso High School via phone 051 753 0658.
What documents do I need to apply at Umso High School?
Umso High School requires the following documents for admission: • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens) • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months) • Latest school report • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1) Contact Umso High School (phone 051 753 0658) for any school-specific requirements.