Best boarding schools in New Zealand 2025

1. State Boarding Schools

   Funded by the government, these schools often provide free education. However, this could be exclusively for:

   • New Zealand citizens

   • Citizens and offspring of foreign diplomats or those working under specific contracts.

2. Integrated Boarding Schools

   These are formerly private institutions, either religious or secular, that have undergone additional accreditation and have integrated into the public education system.

3. Private Boarding Schools

   These schools are self-funded and might include boarding houses. Despite being private, they adhere to stringent regulations and standards, comparable to state institutions.

4. International Boarding Schools

   Specifically catering to both local and foreign students, these schools maintain high educational standards. They undergo rigorous annual accreditation, taking into account students' performance in final exams and the success rate of graduates entering tertiary institutions. A school's ranking is highly influenced by these factors, ensuring that studying at any boarding school in New Zealand promises exceptional education.

It's noteworthy that host families are reliable and trusted. Beyond providing housing, they engage with the students, fostering their education. Living among locals, international students acclimate to the New Zealand culture and language, feeling at home within a year or two amidst the nation's breathtaking landscapes.

Many of the best boarding schools in New Zealand offer full or half-boarding. This accommodation could be:

In the school's residence or with New Zealand host families, inclusive of meals and organized activities. In rented accommodations, where meals are separate, and students manage their leisure time.

Unique to New Zealand are full-course (grades 1-13) girls-only schools, a rarity in Europe. While primarily catering to local students, they also welcome international applicants.

Esther Diaz

Education specialist, career coach and consultant. She worked for Inspired Education Group and directed the admissions department at the International School san Patricio Toledo.

What would you say is the most important when choosing a Spanish school?

This is the quality of support and work of the management, the opportunity to study at IB, the prestige of the school and the percentage of successful completion of the diploma stage of IB, recommendations for further universities. It is worth considering the national "recruitment" of campus students, opportunities for extracurricular development and activities, the availability of medical services and consultations, opportunities for language immersion. Is education at the chosen school based on the values you share? Is the school a close-knit community? Is academic support good?

Middle-grade students in New Zealand boarding schools enjoy a varied curriculum. Alongside academic subjects, there's a plethora of sports and arts to choose from:

• Sports: Volleyball, squash, water sports, mountain sports, and more.

• Arts: Theatre, dance, drawing, painting, and beyond.

Recognizing the importance of holistic development, the Ministry of Education in New Zealand emphasizes quality sports education, fostering healthy competition and boosting students' self-confidence.

Furthermore, A-level and IB programs are particularly sought-after for high school students. These intensive courses prepare students for higher education, eliminating the need for an additional preparatory year in their home countries. With a focus on independent thinking, students get hands-on experience, engaging in debates, discussions, and webinars, prepping them for their future academic and professional journeys.

The table below summarizes information about special (narrowly focused) disciplines that are studied in schools, boarding houses and boarding schools in New Zealand:

If you're considering enrolling your child in one of the best boarding schools in New Zealand, it's advisable to start the process well in advance to align with the commencement of the new academic year. Here's what you'll typically need:

• School Certificate: This should detail the grades and scores achieved by the student in their previous academic year.

• Language Proficiency Certificates: Given that courses at New Zealand boarding schools are primarily conducted in English, international students may be required to provide evidence of their proficiency in the language.

• Motivation Letter: This is a personal statement from the student explaining why they wish to study at a boarding school in New Zealand. It should showcase their enthusiasm, commitment, and reasons for choosing a particular institution.

• Recommendations: Letters of recommendation from the student's current school teachers can significantly bolster the application. These letters typically highlight the student's academic achievements, character, and suitability for studying in an international boarding school environment.

Remember, while the boarding schools in New Zealand fees might vary, the investment in quality education, exposure, and the experience itself is invaluable for a student's growth and future prospects.

A boarding school in New Zealand is an educational institution that provides students not only with quality education, but also full accommodation and meals on the school premises. This form of education allows international students to immerse themselves in a new culture and learn while under the supervision of professional teachers. A special feature of boarding schools is that students live inside the school campus, which creates a unique educational and social environment.

Boarding schools in New Zealand typically accept students between the ages of 12 and 18. This means that students of different ages can find suitable educational programs and environments to develop their skills and interests.

Boarding schools provide education at the middle and high school levels and prepare students to take the NCEA (National Certificate of Education) exams. This means students can complete a comprehensive secondary education, which opens the door to higher education both in New Zealand and overseas. Boarding schools provide quality instruction and support for academic success.

Curriculums vary from boarding school to boarding school, but generally all include core subjects such as maths, English, science, art, music and physical education. This allows students to choose subjects according to their interests and future career plans, ensuring well-rounded development and learning.

Boarding school fees vary depending on the specific school, its location and level of education. Typically, a year of training can cost from NZD 40,000. It is important to consider that this cost may include costs for educational materials and additional activities.

Most boarding schools require international students to take English language tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score depends on the specific school and level of education. This is necessary for students to be able to successfully learn in English and interact in the learning environment.

Boarding schools often offer a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, including sports clubs, music clubs, tourism events and other cultural activities. This allows students to develop not only academic skills, but also to participate in interesting and varied activities.

Boarding schools usually provide extensive support for international students. It includes language courses, orientation on campus, support in solving everyday problems and psychological assistance, if necessary. By providing comfortable conditions for adaptation, schools help students feel more confident and learn more successfully.

Students studying at boarding schools can choose between different accommodation options. The most common options are to live in dormitories on school grounds or with host families provided by the school. These options offer different possibilities for a comfortable and safe stay for students.

Boarding schools pay great attention to the safety of students. Security measures include constant adult supervision, campus security, access control, and strict house rules. In addition, schools carry out preventive measures to teach students safety rules.