The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy of Girls will close its primary campus operations at the end of 2027, transitioning authority to South Africa’s Gauteng Department of Education, according to an announcement from media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Opened nearly two decades ago in 2007, the boarding school has graduated more than 1,000 students. Rather than operating a single physical campus, the media mogul plans to pivot toward a broader scholarship program targeting young women across South Africa.
Transition Plan and Student Placement
Representatives for Winfrey confirmed to TMZ that current students unable to finish their education at the Academy before the closure will be placed in other top-tier schools. Winfrey will cover all tuition costs through their graduation. The shift aims to scale educational investments beyond the confines of one institution, according to official statements released Wednesday.
Did you know? Since opening in 2007, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy of Girls has maintained a boarding model.
The Future of the Philanthropic Model
“The dream was never simply to build a school,” Winfrey said in a statement. “It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women. That mission doesn’t end with one campus. It continues in every girl whose future can be transformed through education.” By partnering with the Gauteng Department of Education and funding external tuition, the updated initiative intends to expand its reach to more young girls across South Africa.
Institutional Takeover by Gauteng Department
According to the public announcement, South Africa’s Gauteng Department of Education will take over operations following the 2027 wind-down. This hands over the management of the facility to the local government while shifting private philanthropic resources directly into individual student scholarships and tuition grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy of Girls close?
The school will conclude its current operations at the end of 2027, according to official statements.
What will happen to the current students enrolled at the Academy?
Representatives state that students who cannot finish their schooling at the Academy will be transferred to other top-tier schools with full tuition paid by Winfrey through graduation.
Who will take over the school’s operations?
South Africa’s Gauteng Department of Education will assume control of the campus operations after the transition.
How many students have graduated from the institution?
More than 1,000 girls have graduated from the academy since it opened in 2007.
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