The Afrikaans school where 100% of matrics have passed for 40 years, including André de Ruyter and Rudolf Straeuli

The Hoërskool Menlopark is a government-owned Afrikaans medium school in Pretoria that has maintained a 100% matric pass rate for 40 years.

Often referred to simply as ‘Menlo’ in the Afrikaans community, the school opened its doors as the Menloparkse Hoërskool on 29 January 1963.

Located on the corner of Lynnwood and Atterbury Road, then on the outskirts of Pretoria, it started out with 372 pupils, 12 teachers, and 12 classrooms.

At its founding, it offered schooling for Grades 8 to 10, then called Standards 6 to 8. Its motto is Excelsa Petamus, a Latin phrase which translates to “We strive for the highest values.”

The school’s emblem was designed by renowned South African painter Bettie Cilliers-Barnard, a recipient of the Decoration for Meritorious Services.

Cilliers-Barnard’s daughter, Jana, was a pupil at the school at the time. She would also make a name for herself in the arts as an actress.

The school’s anthem Hou hoog die vaandel wit en blou (Hold high the white and blue flag) was written by J.J. Botha and composed by O.A. van der Stoep.

The school was renamed Die Hoërskool Menlopark in 1974. 1983 marked another key milestone for the school when it bought its first computer.

In 1990, it became one of the earliest government schools to offer computer science as a subject.

In its six-decade history, Menlo has had only six headmasters, with an average tenure of just over 10 years.

The longest-serving headmaster was C.I.S. van der Merwe, who occupied the position for 29 years.

In recent years, the school has had an annual intake of around 1,800 pupils. It is in high demand among parents due to its excellent academic track record.

In addition to maintaining a perfect pass rate between 1987 and 2026, well over 95% of Menlo’s matrics achieve a university exemption or Bachelor’s degree pass rate each year.

Well-known alumni across sports, arts, and business

Menlo’s Class of 2025 achieved a 100% pass rate, including a 98.48% Bachelor pass rate, with a class average of 74.34%.

The school acts as an important feeder for the University of Pretoria, not only for the academically gifted, but also for strong sportsmen and women.

The school is particularly well-known for its track-and-field excellence. It is among a handful of high schools with a world-class blue tartan track and stadium lighting.

Former pupils who have represented South Africa on the global stage include heptathlete Inge Viljoen and swimmer Gideon Louw.

Protea cricketers among its alumni included Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Theunis de Bruyn, and Suné Luus.

In rugby, it boasts 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Rudolf Straeuli, as well as Springboks Johan Marais and Jacques Olivier.

Its strength in all manner of school sports has not come at the cost of its arts and culture programme.

The school has a dedicated music academy training musicians and sound engineers, while its choir has represented Menlo at an international level.

Among its most accomplished arts alumni are actress Amalia Uys, Anri Uys (“Yolandi Visser” from Die Antwoord), and writer Marita van der Vyver.

Menlo’s alumni also include familiar names in the business world, such as FirstRand Group co-founder Laurie Dippenaar and former Eskom chief executive officer André de Ruyter

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Photos of Hoërskool Menlopark through the years

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