· Choosing a school
You are encouraged to visit schools and meet with the principal and staff before deciding where to enrol your children.
New Zealand offers a range of schools for you to choose from.
State schools – Most New Zealand students attend state-funded schools. State schools don’t charge fees but do seek an annual donation to fund improved programmes and services. These can range from less than a hundred to several hundred dollars a year. It is best to inquire from the school before enrolling your child. Stationery and school uniforms are a cost to the parent.
Integrated schools – These are schools that once operated as private institutions but, in recent years, have been integrated into the state system. Although they follow the state curriculum requirements, they retain special religious or philosophical character.
Private/independent schools – These schools receive only limited government funding so are almost entirely dependent on fees. Each school determines its own fee scale and can range from NZ$4,000 to NZ$14,000 per child a year.
Boarding schools – Boarding schools exist mainly at secondary level. There are currently 12 boarding schools in Christchurch.
The Education Review Office (ERO) also publishes reports about the curriculum and performance evaluations of all schools. These are a valuable and free guide to help you decide which school to choose.
Click here to find a school in Christchurch ...
Find out more:
NZ Boarding Schools Association
