The University of Cape Town (UCT) is opening an online high school next year.
Vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng said on Wednesday the school, which UCT would run with the Valenture Institute, would help disadvantaged children to shine in spite of their socioeconomic circumstances.
The R2,095-a-month school would increase access to quality schooling and use innovative digital techniques to close the gap between school and university education, she said.
"We get to imagine the learning process from the ground up," Phakeng said. "We are thinking differently about high school and designing an experience that will deliver quality education at scale."
Describing the new institution as SA'S most affordable private school, Phakeng said it would offer high-quality education with support from experts, specialist teachers and mentors.
Phakeng said the school — already operating as a successful blended learning programme in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town — would use existing infrastructure to bring pupils under one roof. However, the curriculum would be online.
In Mitchells Plain, pupils had recorded dramatic improvements in maths, science and English, she said.