Durban Girls' College is an Independent School and is a prominent member of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA). The school is guided by a Board of Governors who, with the Headmaster, determines the school policy. The Headmaster, three Deputy Principals and the Bursar implement this policy and manage all facets of the school.There are also Heads of Department for sport, counselling, music and the different academic phases.

The total school enrolment from Grade R to Grade 12 is 820. College is divided into the Junior Primary (Grades R - 3), the Senior Primary (Grades 4 - 7), the Senior School (Grades 8 -12)

The school has a close association with a group of major feeder pre-primary schools who prepare future College girls for Grade R or Grade 1. The school year starts in January and ends in December. There are four school terms.

At the end of twelve years' formal schooling, girls write an external school-leaving examination, the Independent Examinations Board Senior Certificate, in preparation for higher education and a career. The school is well pleased with the high standards of curriculum content and development, assessment methods, teacher involvement and marking procedures of the IEB. There is no doubt that this has enabled our pupils to prepare well for their tertiary education, be it local or overseas institutions.

College House, the school residence, is a home-from-home for 70 boarders.

College is a Christian school and a Minister of Religion serves on the Board of Governors. We welcome girls of many religions. All are however expected to attend religious education classes with the school chaplain, morning assemblies and school celebrations of major Christian festivals.

The education of a young person must be a partnership between the child, the parent and the school. College parents are valued members of the College community and form an integral part of the wider school activities. The Parents' Association has representation on the College Board, and maintains a formal link between parents and the school.