ADHD Schools in Johannesburg: What to Look For

If your child has ADHD, or you are wondering whether attention is what is holding them back, you have probably started searching for ADHD schools in Johannesburg. The right school does more than manage attention. It teaches your child in a way that works with how they learn, so skills and confidence grow together.

This guide sets out what to look for, and how Japari School in Parkview approaches each point.

What makes a school a good fit for a child with ADHD

• Small classes. Fewer children means fewer distractions, and a teacher who notices quickly when attention drifts.
• Structure and routine. Predictable days, clear instructions and short, varied tasks help children stay on track.
• Therapy in the school day. Occupational therapy supports focus, self-regulation and fine motor skills; speech and language therapy supports listening and following instructions. When it happens at school, your afternoons stay your own.
• An individual plan. Clear goals for your child, reviewed as they progress, so everyone works on the same things.
• A team that talks. Teachers, therapists and psychologists sharing what they see with each other, and with you.
• A path forward. The aim should be confident, independent learning and, for most children, a move to a mainstream high school.

How Japari supports children with ADHD

Japari is an independent remedial school in Parkview, Johannesburg, for Grade R to Grade 7, founded in 1966.

• A maximum of 15 pupils per class, and about 100 children in the school.
• An individual education plan (IEP) for every child, set in the first term and updated as your child progresses, with termly parent team meetings.
• Speech therapists, occupational therapists, a physiotherapist and educational psychologists on site, working during the school day with the class teacher. From 2027, group therapy and rotating individual speech and occupational therapy are included in the fees for Grades 1 to 5.
• The CAPS curriculum, with Grade 7s writing the Independent Schools’ shared assessment exams in Mathematics and English every November, alongside mainstream private schools.
• A full school day: sport, extra murals and aftercare until 17:30.

Questions to ask when you visit an ADHD-friendly school

1. How many children are in a class?
2. Do therapists work on site, during the school day?
3. How is my child’s plan set, how often is it reviewed, and how often will we meet?
4. What does a typical day look like, and how are breaks and movement built in?
5. Which high schools do your Grade 7s go on to?

Your next step

The best way to know if Japari is right for your child is to see a school day. Book a private visit with our psychologist. It takes about an hour and commits you to nothing. Or call Val on 011 646 2132. You can also read about therapy at Japari and the 2027 fees.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a school for children with ADHD in Johannesburg?

Yes. Several remedial and learning support schools in Johannesburg teach children with ADHD. Japari in Parkview offers classes of up to 15, therapy in the school day and an individual education plan for every child, from Grade R to Grade 7.

Is therapy included in the fees at Japari?

From 2027, group therapy and rotating individual speech and occupational therapy are part of the school fee for Grades 1 to 5.

Do children with ADHD go on to mainstream high schools?

Many do. At Japari, a confident move to a mainstream high school is the aim, and we help families choose and prepare.