For partners ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
Programs and prices, tuition fees in ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
Preschool / Early Learning
- Age: 3 months+.
- Duration: until transition to Year 1.
- Language: English.
The preschool department accepts children from three months of age and operates on the same campus as the primary and secondary school: from an early age, the child becomes accustomed to the shared school environment, visits the library, meets primary school teachers, and gradually and smoothly prepares for the transition to Year 1.
The program is based on the New Zealand curriculum Te Whāriki: learning is built through play, observation, exploration, and independent choice of activities within a clear daily routine. Children work extensively with open-ended materials: they build, experiment, play outdoors, grow plants in the garden, and develop gross and fine motor skills in the sandbox, on the playground, and with construction materials.
The preschool department is divided into three groups: Pounamu for children from 3 months to 2 years, Puwhenua for children aged 2–4, and Pathways/Ara for children aged 4–5. Pathways/Ara helps prepare children for primary school: educators assess the child's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development, introduce basic literacy and numeracy, and familiarize children with their future teachers and campus spaces.
A particularly notable feature of the program is sessions with specialist secondary school teachers. Once a week, children engage in science, art, music, dance, performing arts, language, and culture. For example, in science classes they may explore ultraviolet light or chemical reactions through simple experiments.
Primary School
- Age: 5+.
- Duration: 6 years.
- Language: English.
The primary stage covers Years 1–6 and follows the Cambridge Primary curriculum. From the early years, children study in a more structured academic environment than a typical play-based primary model: significant attention is paid to reading, writing, mathematics, natural sciences, and the development of independence.
The main focus is on literacy and numeracy. From Year 1, students regularly study English and mathematics, and in Years 1–3 they receive 14 English lessons and 8 mathematics lessons per week. This helps to build a solid foundation early on for the subsequent Cambridge programme, where the workload becomes very significant by the upper years. In addition to the core subjects, children study science, art, music, physical education, history, and geography. Spanish is introduced from Year 5.
Classes are taught not only by class teachers but also by subject specialists — this gives the primary school a more mature and well-structured format. Teachers continuously monitor children's progress, helping to address weak areas and prevent gaps in knowledge.
Middle School
- Age: 11+.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Language: English.
The middle level of ACG Tauranga covers Years 7–9 and serves as a stepping stone from primary school to the examination years. At this age, students learn not only to complete assignments but also to understand how they learn: to plan their work, ask questions, explore different subjects, and gradually identify the areas of strength they enjoy.
The curriculum remains broad: the timetable includes English, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, art, music, physical education, and other Cambridge Pathway disciplines. This range allows students to try everything without having to make defining choices too early: by the time they reach IGCSE, they already have a good sense of what they enjoy and where their strengths lie.
A distinctive feature of Years 7–9 is the values programme, which takes place during Friday tutor meetings. In these sessions, students discuss topics such as kindness, respect, inclusivity, personal boundaries, and responsibility — important practical work aimed at developing teamwork skills and self-confidence.
IGCSE
- Age: 14+.
- Duration: 2 years.
- Language: English.
IGCSE at ACG Tauranga is the first serious examination stage of senior school. It typically falls in Years 10–11 and prepares students for their subsequent subject choices at AS and A Level. At this stage, the general education component is reduced and subject-specific preparation is intensified: students learn to write extended responses, analyse sources, solve subject-specific problems, complete practical work, and adapt to the requirements of international examinations.
The range of subjects is quite broad:
- art and design,
- biology,
- business,
- chemistry,
- economics,
- English language,
- English literature,
- geography,
- history,
- advanced mathematics,
- music,
- physical education,
- physics,
- Spanish.
This selection allows a teenager to build a science, humanities, economics, or creative profile before their final specialisation in the senior years.
The academic process becomes more rigorous: lessons are taught by subject specialists, assignments are aligned with the Cambridge format, and regular monitoring of results helps assess whether the chosen subjects were the right fit and which disciplines a student can carry forward to AS and A Level.
A-level
- Age: 16+.
- Duration: AS Level — 1 year; A Level — 2 years.
- Language: English.
AS Level and A Level are the final stage of senior school and the main preparation for university. After IGCSE, students choose fewer subjects but study them in greater depth: at this stage there are significantly more independent assignments, written work, analysis, and laboratory practice, and preparation for Cambridge examinations is in full swing.
AS Level courses usually last one year: they can be considered either as a standalone qualification or as the first part of a full A-Level, which lasts two years and provides an academic foundation for admission to universities in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, and other countries.
In Tauranga, most subjects are available at both AS and A-Level: art and design, biology, business, chemistry, drama, economics, English literature, geography, history, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, and Spanish. The «English Language and Literature» module is available at AS level only and does not continue at A Level — as an alternative, students may take the English literature course.
The main purpose of this stage is specialisation:
- a future engineer or doctor can put together a combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology,
- a future economist — mathematics, economics, and business,
- a humanities student — literature, history, geography, and languages,
- a creative applicant — art, design, drama, or music.
Senior students plan their own workload, learn to manage their time, prepare well-argued written work, take part in discussions, and conduct practical sessions, gradually transitioning to a format close to that of university study.
Description of ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
- Year of establishment: 2015.
- Location: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty region, New Zealand.
- Number of students: 450.
- Type of education: co-education.
- Type of institution: private day school.
- Language of instruction: English.
ACG Tauranga — a private day school in the Pyes Pa area, in the south of Tauranga, in the New Zealand Bay of Plenty region. It opened in 2015 as part of the ACG Schools network: at launch it admitted students from Year 1 through Year 9, but over time the campus grew to include senior levels — today it has an early childhood centre, primary school, middle school, and graduating Year 13.
The campus is located on Keenan Road, near Pyes Pa Road: a 14.8-hectare site of a former kiwifruit orchard was acquired for the school. The grounds sit on an open north-eastern slope and are shaped like a natural amphitheatre.
The ACG Tauranga teaching model is based on the Cambridge curriculum. From an early age, the school structures learning around the Cambridge Pathway, ensuring a smooth progression towards IGCSE, AS Level, and A Level examinations.
Tauranga is part of Inspired Education Group — an international network that brings together 121 educational institutions, more than 95,000 students, and operates in 28 countries, providing seamless access to the shared Inspired educational ecosystem: international exchanges, summer programmes, university counselling, and partner academic services.
Educational process
Instruction is in English, built on the international Cambridge Pathway program, covering levels from Year 1 to Year 13.
The school day begins at 8:30 and ends at 15:15. For Year 1–4 students, a 15-minute transition period is provided at the beginning and end of the day. All students are required to wear school uniform; formal uniform is required on Fridays and at special events.
The support system includes tutors and regular progress checks: students can receive help during lessons, attend additional consultations, study during holidays, and participate in subject-specific programs. The online platform Canvas is used for communication and access to academic information: it hosts materials, assignments, grades, schedules, announcements, and attendance records.
Scientific achievements
In 2024, the school received a Top in the World result for the first time: one of the students took first place in the world in Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics and scored 100% on the mathematics examination paper. In the same year, ACG Tauranga reported 100% A-Level results and University Entrance achieved by all Year 13 students.
Based on the results of Cambridge Examinations 2024, a 100% pass rate at A Level was achieved. At the IGCSE level, 43% of papers received A* or A, at the A Level — 28%.
Things to know about
- ACG Tauranga was built on the site of a former kiwi orchard. Kiwi remains one of the most recognizable agricultural symbols of the Bay of Plenty.
- Near Tauranga is Mauao, or Mount Maunganui — a mountain sacred to the local people, referred to as one of the most recognizable natural landmarks of New Zealand.
- Tauranga is home to Gate Pā/Pukehinahina — the site of one of the notable battles of the New Zealand Wars of the 19th century.
- Tauranga is also notable as a port city: it is home to New Zealand's largest port, through which timber, dairy products, kiwi, and other export goods are shipped.
- At the time of its launch, ACG Tauranga was the only independent secular co-educational school in Tauranga with a Year 1–13 pathway.
- ACG Tauranga offers a Student for a Day format: a prospective student can spend a trial (introductory) day at the school before enrolling. They are accompanied by current students — buddies — who help them navigate the schedule, campus, and school environment.
Accommodation, meals, prices
For international students, ACG Schools offers a homestay format: the child lives in a New Zealand family's home, attends school every school day, and maintains the usual rhythm of daytime learning. This option is especially important for younger and middle school students: the student immerses themselves in an everyday language environment outside of lessons, gets acquainted with local rules of life, and adapts more quickly to the rhythm of New Zealand life.
Two accommodation formats are available: standard homestay — Regular Homestay, and Homestay Plus, which offers a higher standard, a convenient location, and improved living conditions.
Catering on campus is organized through a pre-order system. ACG Tauranga works with the ezlunch service: students can order meals from Subway on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from Pita Pit on Thursdays. Orders are placed through the myKindo platform before 9:00 AM. Lunch delivery from Café 414 is available every school day: the student, independently or with the help of their parents, selects meals in advance, and the prepared dishes are delivered by the start of the school day.
Activities ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
The sports program includes both recreational activities and competitive participation. ACG Tauranga offers archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cross-country, equestrian sports, football, futsal, golf, hockey, mountain biking, netball, rock climbing, rowing, sailing, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Students can choose team sports, individual disciplines, or activities connected to the region's nature — such as rowing, sailing, mountain biking, or cross-country.
School teams participate in the NZ Secondary School Winter Tournament Week, NZ AIMS Games, West Cluster Winter Tournament, Bay of Plenty badminton championships, and other inter-school competitions.
The creative program includes music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Students can participate in annual productions or help backstage — with preparation, technical work, and organization. A choir, marimba orchestra, band, chamber ensemble, and string quartet are available, and students can take individual lessons on various instruments: from violin and piano to guitar and drums, as well as vocal lessons.
A distinct (and quite rich) layer of school life is connected to the Inspired Education international network: students have access to summer camps, exchange programs, and short trips — from 1 to 6 weeks. Students can travel to another country, study there briefly, meet students from other schools in the network, and gain international experience before university.
The geography of Tauranga gives the school a good range of destinations for educational and cultural trips. In and around the city are Mount Maunganui with its walking trails and beach, McLaren Falls Park by the lake of the same name, the historic estate The Elms, Tauranga Art Gallery, the Classic Flyers aviation museum in the Mount Maunganui area, Waimarino Adventure Park, and the natural areas of Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. These locations are suitable for day trips, outdoor activities, historical excursions, creative projects, and team activities.
For younger students, these may include walks in parks, gallery visits, excursions to historical sites, and trips to waterfalls; for older students — hikes, kayaking on McLaren Lake, water activities, routes around Mount Maunganui, visits to the aviation museum, urban cultural programs, and trips to the natural areas of Bay of Plenty.
Students participate in inter-school tournaments at the end of the term, and trips abroad are organized for them. This complements the educational process: at the end of the term, students meet representatives from other schools, participate in competitions, performances, and joint events.
Advantages
- Full cycle of programs: from the preschool department to graduation Year 13. This is convenient for families who want to plan a unified educational path within a single system in advance.
- Operates without boarding, but organizes student transfers: private bus routes are available from various districts of the region, including Katikati, Omokoroa, Bethlehem, Lakes, Mount Maunganui, Bureta, Te Puke, Papamoa, and Rotorua.
- Excellent sports facilities right on campus: a football field, a multi-purpose court, and a large covered sports complex.
- Each student is assigned a tutor who monitors academic progress, helps with learning goals and subject selection, and maintains communication with the family.
Facilities and equipment at ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
The ACG Tauranga campus is located in Pyes Pa, in the southern part of Tauranga, near Pyes Pa Road and Keenan Road. The school occupies a 14.8-hectare site on an open north-facing slope, shaped like a natural amphitheater: academic buildings, sports areas, and open spaces are picturesquely arranged across the green hillside.
The campus was designed as a full-cycle school environment — from early childhood through to senior years. It includes academic buildings, play areas for younger children, open spaces for breaks, sports courts, and dedicated rooms for art, music, dance, and drama. This layout helps separate different age groups without dividing the school into isolated sections: younger and older students share the same grounds and use common infrastructure.
Everything necessary for a child's well-rounded development is available here: spacious classrooms, science laboratories, administrative offices, a library, a dedicated art room, a music block, and a dance and drama studio. Classrooms have Wi-Fi access, good natural lighting, and spaces for displaying student work.
In 2022, ACG Tauranga opened a new College block for the senior school level: it houses a reception area, meeting rooms, offices for the principal and administrative team, a library, an art room, a science laboratory, and five general-purpose classrooms.
The sports facilities include a full-size football field, a multi-purpose court, and a covered indoor sports complex containing an international-standard basketball court, a foyer, a fitness center, a kitchen, and classrooms. The space is used for basketball, badminton, netball, volleyball, and futsal.
Admission dates and extra charges
The academic year at ACG Tauranga is divided into four trimesters. Before classes begin, the school holds orientation meetings, introduces students and parents to tutors, clarifies course selections and organizational details.
In addition to tuition fees, a number of additional expenses should be taken into account:
- registration fee,
- enrolment acceptance fee,
- school uniform,
- learning materials,
- transportation/transfer,
- meals,
- medical and travel insurance for international students,
- accommodation,
- homestay support,
- personal expenses,
- subject fees for individual senior school courses,
- expenses for sports clubs, competitions, and field trips, if not included in the base fee.
Enrolment process
A child's representative fills out an application form and attaches basic documents: the child's passport or birth certificate, the latest school report, standardized test results if available. For international students, proof of English proficiency or willingness to undergo additional language preparation is important.
After reviewing the documents, the school invites the parents and child to a 30-minute interview with the principal: they discuss previous education, English level, the child's interests, and the appropriate year group; for upper school students, they review the chosen subjects and the compatibility of the previous curriculum with the Cambridge system.
The decision is usually communicated within seven days of the interview. If the school offers a place, the family confirms their acceptance in writing and pays the enrolment acceptance fee — a fee for confirming the place.
Before classes begin, an orientation takes place: the new student is introduced to the campus, schedule, tutor, rules, school uniform, and the Canvas system; for Year 7 students, a locker is assigned, courses, transportation, meals are confirmed, and, for international students, homestay arrangements are finalized.
Perspectives
High school students receive Cambridge qualifications IGCSE, AS Level, and A Level, which are recognized by universities in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, and other countries.
The school is younger than most traditional private schools in New Zealand: a full Year 13 graduating class only took place in 2019. Nevertheless, the majority of ACG Tauranga graduates continue their studies at the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Otago, while some graduates choose universities in Australia, the USA, and the United Kingdom.
Senior students receive support from admissions and career counselors: specialists help them choose subjects, understand university requirements, prepare documents, and plan their further education. Through the Inspired network, students can access the services of Arete Education and The Classroom Door — international organizations that help applicants gain admission to universities in the USA and the United Kingdom.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
To submit an application, you need to prepare a basic set of documents: the child's passport or birth certificate, the latest school report, and, if available, test results. ACG Tauranga specifically mentions PAT — these are New Zealand tests used to assess the level in core subjects. If the child has taken other tests, those can be included as well.
After submitting the documents, the school invites the family to an interview with the principal. The meeting lasts about 30 minutes: it covers the child's academic background, English proficiency level, interests, readiness for the Cambridge programme, and the appropriate year level (grade). The school usually communicates its decision within seven days after the interview.
English proficiency is important for international students. ACG Schools provides benchmarks for those whose first language is not English:
- Years 7–9 — TOEFL iBT 32, minimum 8 in each component,
- Year 10 — TOEFL iBT 45, minimum 10,
- Years 11–13 — TOEFL iBT 60, minimum 12.
The school may accept an equivalent result from another language test.
If the English proficiency level is not yet sufficient, the student can complete the ACG Education English course before transitioning into the main school programme.
Scholarships ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
ACG Tauranga offers several financial support options, but all of them primarily relate to tuition fees.
The main option is the Academic Scholarship for new students in Years 7–13. It is awarded for strong academic performance. When reviewing an application, sporting and creative achievements may be taken into account if they demonstrate a high standard and the student's contribution to school life. The family's financial need is not among the main criteria for this scholarship — the decision is based specifically on the child's achievements.
In addition, scholarships are available for students with outstanding achievements outside academic activities — for those who have already reached a high level in sport, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, or other creative fields. When applying, it is important to provide evidence of achievements: participation in competitions, concerts, contests and productions, a portfolio, and recommendations from coaches or teachers.
Another option is the ACG Founders Scholarship. It is connected to the history of Senior College of New Zealand, founded in 1995. Since 2018, this scholarship has been awarded to one student per year: the candidate must be enrolled at one of the ACG secondary schools in New Zealand and plan to enter university in the following academic year.
For families with multiple children, Sibling Scholarships are available: if four or more children from the same family are enrolled at ACG Tauranga simultaneously, the school may offer a tuition discount.
In exceptional cases, the principal may refer a student's application for additional review by ACG Schools management, even if it does not fully meet the standard requirements. The final decision will be made on an individual basis.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about ACG Tauranga, Private school ACG Tauranga
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
