Primary to High School
New Zealand is a very popular destination for students wanting to go to an English speaking school in a safe environment. Schools welcome international students and there are many options for families to choose from. Some students enrol for a semester and others for a year or longer.
New Zealand has a range of private and public schools, schools for girls / boys or coeducational and also schools with or without a religious denomination including catholic and protestant. There are boarding and day school options. Students can study in a main city or rural setting.
Typically New Zealand students study in mixed (girl and boy) schools for primary school and then can choose to either study in a single sex or mixed school for intermediate / high school. While the education system has traditionally centred on single sex schools, increasingly private schools in particular are choosing to be mixed.
International students are well looked after in high schools and extra attention is given to these students to ensure they adapt well to the New Zealand educational system.
Academic Year
The academic year in New Zealand is from end of January to mid / late December. The main holidays are the summer holidays which are 6 weeks at the end of the year. Schools have 4 semesters of about 10 weeks each with 2 weeks holiday between each.
Academic system
Students in New Zealand study 6 years of primary and then either two years of intermediate followed by 5 years high school or go directly to high school. Students can choose from schools which include primary – intermediate – high school in the one school, or they can choose to study in schools which specialise in each stage.
High school Assessment
High schools typically offer one of two academic pathways – National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) which is a New Zealand qualification, or the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) which is internationally recognised. Some schools offer both assessments.
Curriculum
The New Zealand high school curriculum centres around the compulsary subjects of Maths, English and Science. Students are able to choose several additional subjects, which depending on the school may include; history, geography, languages such as French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, art and design, economics, photography.
Fees
- The cost per year in primary school is usually between NZ$9000 – NZ$12,000
- The cost per year in secondary school is usually between NZ$10,500 - NZ$20,000 depending on the school and whether it is a private or public
- An enrolment fee of between NZ$500 – NZ$1,000
- Uniform – approximately NZ$500 per year
- Home stay placement approximately NZ$250
- Home stay fee per week between NZ$200 and NZ$260 (depending on school and students age)
- Insurance – approximately NZ$500 per year
Let us help you!
Global Student can help you choose the most appropriate high school for your child.
Let us know what type of school you are looking for and the strengths / interests of your child. We will match these with a great school.