Dendera High is a mixed boarding secondary school located in Mudzi district which is in Mashonaland East province in Zimbabwe.
The school is owned by the United Methodist Church In Zimbabwe
The school is easily accessible via a highway to Nyamapanda, with an additional 5 kilometers to travel after turning off the highway.
It is around 300 kilometres from Harare.
Curriculum:
Dendera High School offers both Ordinary Level (O-Level) and Advanced Level (A-Level) education, following the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) syllabus.
At O-Level, students take a variety of core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, with options to pursue other subjects including Geography, History, and Commerce.
At A-Level, students can specialize in streams such as Sciences (including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), Commercials (with subjects like Economics and Business Studies), and Arts (which includes History and Literature).
Dendera High School Pass Rate
In 2024, Dendera High School achieved a commendable pass rate of 74% for O-Level students and 95% for A-Level students.
This performance reflects a strong academic foundation and commitment to student success. The school has shown consistent improvement over the years, highlighting its ongoing dedication to providing quality education.
Looking back at 2020, Dendera High School recorded a pass rate of 70% for O-Level students. The A-Level pass rate at this time was slightly lower at 60%.
These figures demonstrate a solid performance but also suggest areas for growth compared to more recent results. The school has been working diligently to enhance its educational strategies and support systems.
In 2017, the O-Level pass rate for Dendera High School was 68%, while the A-Level pass rate was 58%. Earlier data from 2015 and 2014 show similar trends, with the O-Level pass rate at 65% in 2015 and 62% in 2014, and A-Level pass rates of 55% and 50% respectively.
The progressive improvements in pass rates over the years underscore Dendera High School's commitment to elevating its academic standards and achieving better outcomes for its students.
Dendera High School Admission Requirements
Form One Places 2025 enrollment Admissions to Dendera High School are facilitated through the Ministry of Educationβs Electronic Ministry Application Platform (EMAP). This platform is typically open after the release of Grade 7 national examination results, which usually occurs around mid-November.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to apply early as the competition for places at Dendera can be high.
The minimum cut-off point for admission into Form One at Dendera High School is usually set at 20 units for both boys and girls.
However, this cut-off may fluctuate depending on the national pass rate and the demand for places in any given year. Students who achieve above the cut-off may still be considered, especially if the overall demand for placements is lower than expected.
For students applying to Lower Six (Advanced Level), the process also requires application through the EMAP system once O-Level results are published.
Dendera High is known for being relatively flexible in its admission criteria for A-Level, sometimes accepting students who have achieved as low as one A grade, depending on the overall demand.
This makes it a viable option for students who may not have the highest grades but still show potential for success at the A-Level stage.
Get instructions & tips on increasing your chances of getting a place at this school via eMap.
Dendera High School Fees
The school fees at Dendera High School for the year 2025 are set at $485 per term for regular students. For Form One students, the fees amount to around $1,200, which includes uniforms and a school levy.
These fees cover the essential costs associated with boarding, making Dendera High School one of the more affordable options in the region for boarding education.
Despite its affordability, Dendera maintains a solid reputation for providing quality education and facilities to its students.
The relatively low fees compared to other boarding schools in Zimbabwe ensure that more families can access a well-rounded education without facing extreme financial strain.
This affordability, combined with the school's focus on academic excellence and holistic student development, makes it a competitive choice for parents seeking value for their money.
Dendera High School Boarding Life
At Dendera High School, students live in well-organized hostels designed to create a conducive environment for both personal growth and academic focus.
From Form One to Form Three, students share their dormitories with a moderate number of roommates, allowing them to experience a sense of community while still having enough personal space to feel comfortable.
This setup helps students adapt to boarding life gradually and fosters strong bonds of friendship.
In Form Four, the dormitory arrangement becomes more personalized, with only three students sharing a room.
This shift provides more privacy and a quieter atmosphere, especially as students prepare for their crucial O-Level examinations.
The smaller groupings in Form Four are aimed at promoting concentration and giving students a calm space to focus on their studies.
All students are responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their dormitories, under the supervision of matrons and boarding masters.
This system instills a sense of discipline and responsibility, teaching students to manage their living spaces while also ensuring that the hostels remain clean and orderly.
The presence of matrons and boarding masters also provides a nurturing environment where students can seek guidance and support throughout their stay.
Diet & Meal Plan
At Dendera High School, students are provided with nutritious and well-balanced meals throughout the day. Breakfast starts with a serving of porridge, ensuring students receive the energy they need to start their day.
After breakfast, students are also provided with tea before moving on to their studies. Lunch and dinner are both hearty meals designed to meet the dietary needs of growing students, ensuring they have adequate nutrition to support their academic and extracurricular activities.
Given the school's commitment to providing sufficient and nutritious meals, students have limited tuck requirements.
This reduces the need for parents to supply additional food items, as the school ensures that students' dietary needs are well-catered for, allowing them to focus more on their studies and overall development.
Tuck
In preparation for the third term of 2024, Dendera High School has issued a specific list of items (tuck) that students are allowed to bring. The list includes:
- 1 box of noodles
- 2 packets of Maputi
- 2 kg of loose biscuits
- 2 x 2 liters or 5 liters of diluted drink
- 500 g of sweets
- Toiletries
The school has emphasized that any items beyond this list will be confiscated and donated to charitable organizations.
This initiative has been put in place to reduce smuggling of unwanted food items, minimize the need for large food trunks, and regulate luggage on buses to prevent overloading.
Additionally, parents are encouraged to ensure that any pocket money provided to students is secured, either by giving it to hostel wardens if needed.
The school will not be held accountable for the theft of money at the hostels.
Projects
Dendera High School runs several projects aimed at both supporting the schoolβs operations and providing students with practical, hands-on experience.
These projects include a tuck shop, piggery, poultry, layers (egg production), and horticulture. Each of these initiatives plays a vital role in complementing the dining hall's provisions, ensuring that students have access to a variety of fresh and locally produced foods.
The tuck shop provides basic snacks and necessities for students, helping them access essential items without leaving the school premises.
The piggery and poultry projects supply the school with fresh meat and eggs, reducing the need to purchase these from outside sources and allowing the school to maintain a well-balanced diet for the students.
The layers project, in particular, ensures a consistent supply of eggs, which are a crucial source of protein in the studentsβ meals.
Additionally, the horticulture project involves growing fresh vegetables and fruits, which supplement the meals served in the dining hall.
This not only improves the quality and nutrition of the meals but also gives students valuable agricultural experience.
Through these projects, students gain practical skills in farming, animal husbandry, and small-scale business management, which are important for both personal development and future career opportunities.
These initiatives also foster a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency, as students contribute directly to the school's sustainability.
Power & Water Availability
Dendera High School has taken proactive measures to ensure a reliable supply of both water and electricity to meet the needs of its students and staff.
The school operates two boreholes equipped with electrical pumps, ensuring a steady and consistent supply of water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
In case of power outages, the school has installed a solar-powered backup system to keep the boreholes functional, which guarantees that students always have access to adequate water.
Importantly, the school is independent of the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), which adds to its self-sufficiency.
For electricity, Dendera High School is connected to the national grid (ZESA), ensuring that most of the school's facilities are powered for daily operations.
However, the school has also invested in a solar backup system specifically for the administration block and computer labs.
This solar backup ensures that critical areas of the school, including administrative functions and computer-based learning, continue without interruption during power outages.
The integration of solar energy reflects the school's commitment to sustainable practices and ensures a continuous learning environment for students.
Spiritual Life at Dendera High School
Dendera High School is proudly owned and operated by the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, and the religious teachings and values of the church play an integral role in the daily lives of students.
Religion is woven into the fabric of the school's culture, with students participating in regular worship services, prayers, and religious studies as part of their overall education.
The school emphasizes the moral and ethical teachings of the church, encouraging students to develop a strong sense of discipline, responsibility, and compassion, which aligns with the Christian principles upheld by the United Methodist Church.
In addition to regular religious services, students are encouraged to live out the church's teachings through acts of kindness, community service, and personal integrity.
This religious foundation not only supports the students' spiritual growth but also contributes to shaping well-rounded individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to society.
The school's religious environment fosters a sense of community and belonging, ensuring that students are supported in both their academic and spiritual journeys.
Sports and Clubs:
Dendera High School offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports and clubs, to provide a well-rounded education.
Students can participate in popular sports like soccer, netball, and athletics, as well as join clubs such as drama and debate.
These activities help develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, ensuring that students leave the school with not only academic knowledge but also important social and life skillsβ
Dendera High School Contact Details
Head: 0772906140 (Kapumha, Head)
+263 783 707 579
See other Methodist Schools In Zimbabwe
FAQ's On Dendera High School
In 2024 the school had a pass rate of 74% at O-Level and 95% at A-level
Dendera High School boarding fees for 2025 are $485 per term. However you should budget around $1200 when starting to cover everything inlcuding uniforms and once-off levies.
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