It has an enrollment of approximately 500 pupils, who are divided into three houses: Reijger, Dromedaris and De Goede Hoop, named after the three ships that Jan van Riebeeck landed in Cape Town in 1652.

Famous alumni includes the singer Laurika Rauch, struggle hero and Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom, venture capitalist Roelof Botha, and judge and struggle hero Jan Steyn.

33°56′01″S 18°24′30″E / 33.933665°S 18.408371°E / -33.933665; 18.408371 (Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck) The tradition of boarding at Jan van Riebeeck High dates back to 1953 with the construction of the Huis Jordaan, the then girls hostel, on the school campus, after the Cape Town Administrator and its executive committee decided to make funds available for the construction of residences for the school in 1950.

The tradition of boarding continues to this day and has become an integral part of life at the school, with a large number of pupils coming from afar.

The Huis Jordaan facility caters for boys and girls from grade 8 to 12, and accommodates termly and weekly boarders, with students returning home for the school holidays.