The 50 best high schools in New Zealand for 2025

Choosing the right high school is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your child’s future. Like any major decision, there’s a lot to consider. You may be weighing public versus private options, or planning an entire move around schooling. You might simply be unsure where to begin.

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, and that’s exactly why we’ve done the homework for you.

In this guide, you’ll find the top 50 secondary schools across New Zealand for 2025. We've ranked according to academic performance, extracurricular opportunities, university pathways, and more. From top-performing public schools to prestigious private colleges, you’ll get a clear picture of what each one offers.

Use this list to compare your options, see what sets each school apart, and take the next step for your child's future with confidence.

New Zealand’s secondary school system at a glance

• Secondary school in New Zealand covers Years 9 to 13. 
• Students are typically aged from 13 to 18.
• Students are required to attend school until the age of 16.
• The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main qualification.
• NCEA has three Levels that correspond with Years 11 to 13 of high school.
• University Entrance (UE) is gained by completing a NCEA Level 3, with approved subjects and literacy/numeracy standards.

Read our guide covering everything you need to know about New Zealand's School System.

How our secondary schools are ranked

The Ministry of Education doesn’t officially rank New Zealand’s secondary schools. However, several organisations and publications publish lists based on academic performance. We’ve compiled ours from data collected by Crimson Education. Their list is based on the following criteria and weighted by:

Extracurriculars and leadership (15%)

Their rankings take into account the range of activities available to students. This includes clubs, competitions, study abroad experiences and athletic or performing arts programmes.

Extracurricular activities hold a lot of weight for Kiwi students applying abroad. Admission results to Ivy League and top international universities from the 2024/25 academic year are taken into account.

Academic performance (70%)

The largest consideration is given to the academic performance of each school. This is equally based on:

Publicly available data from NCEA, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

• The International Baccalaureate (IB).
• CIE curricula from the 2023 academic year.
• International awards won by students.

Access and diversity (15%)

The final 15% of consideration is given to the makeup of the school’s population. This includes merit and needs-based scholarships and programmes that help equip students with interpersonal skills.

New Zealand’s top secondary schools ranked for 2025

An overview of the Top 10

New Zealand’s top ten secondary schools for 2025 are dominated by Auckland private schools. 

St Cuthbert's College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by St Cuthbert's College (@stcuthbertscollege)

St. Cuthbert's College moved from second place in the overall Crimson rankings last year up to first place. This private girls’ school, located in Epsom, caters to students from Year 1 to Year 13.

The quarterly fees for Years 7 to 13 at St Cuthbert's are NZ$30,476 per year. There are also additional costs for enrollment, boarding, and extracurricular activities. 

ACG Parnell College

ACG Parnell College is a co-ed private school located in Parnell. ACG moved from first place in 2024 to second in this year’s ranking. Fees for this school vary. Fees for Years 11 to 13 are NZ$29,470 annually.

Kristin School

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kristin School (@kristin.school)

Kristin School is located in Albany on the North Shore of Auckland and includes students from Kindergarten to Year 13.

Fees for Years 11 to 13 are NZ$28,986 annually.

An overview of the Top 20

New Zealand’s top secondary schools ranked between 11 and 20 are a mix of public, private, single-sex and co-ed. They can be found in major centres in both the North and South Islands. 

Woodford House

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Woodford House (@woodfordhouseschool)

Woodford House is a secondary school that teaches Years 9 and 13. Located in Hastings, it is one of the largest single sex boarding schools for girls in New Zealand. Fees for day students are NZ$12,900 annually. 

Samuel Marsden Collegiate

Located in Wellington, Samuel Marsden Collegiate is a single-sex secondary school for girls from Years 1 to 13. They also have a co-ed preschool.

Annual fees are NZ$29,012 for Years 7 to 12 and NZ$29,376 for Year 13.

Lindisfarne College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lindisfarne College (@lindisfarnecollege)

Based in Hastings, Lindisfarne College is a public day and boarding school for boys in Years 7 to 12.

They charge fees of NZ$1,840.00 per year for attendance. Attend dues are approved by the Ministry of Education and can be used to service debt or contribute to major building and site work. 

An overview of the top 30

Although the top three schools in places 21-30 are all private schools, six out of ten schools in this section are public integrated schools. Most students must live in the zoning area of a public school to be guaranteed attendance. 

Christ’s College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Christ's College (@christscollegenz)

Christ’s College is a prestigious private boys' school for day and boarding students from Years 7 to 13.

Their annual fees are NZ$34,190 for years 9, 11, 12 and 13. An additional fee is charged in year 10 for immersion courses. 

Carmel College

Carmel College is a private Catholic girls' school located on Auckland’s North Shore. They cater to Years 7 to 13. It is a state-integrated Catholic school, which means preference is given to Catholic students first. Students of other faiths can apply and will be considered once all preference applicants have been placed.

Scots College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Scots College, Wellington NZ (@scotscollegenz)

Scots College is a co-educational school located in Wellington that caters for boys and girls. Their junior, middle and senior schools cater for students from Year zero (new entrance) to Year 13.

Fees for Years 11 to 13 are NZ$28,630.

An overview of the top 40

Schools ranked between 31 and 40 are overwhelmingly public and co-educational. Many of which are located in Auckland.

St Mary’s College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by St Mary's College Sports (@stmaryscollegesports)

St Mary’s is a state school located in Ponsonby, Auckland that caters for girls from Year 7 to Year 13. As a Catholic school, the majority of its roll is made up of preference students. Non-preference students are accepted once all eligible preference students are accepted.

St Peter’s, Cambridge

St Peter's School is a private, co-educational, secondary school for girls and boys from Years 7 to 13. It is located in Cambridge, Waikato.

Fees for Years 11 to 13 are NZ$29,395 annually.

Sancta Maria College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Faith Is Our Compass (@sanctamariacollege)

Sancta Maria College is a co-ed Catholic school for boys and girls from Years 7 through 13. Admission is determined as follows.

1. Priority is given to catholic students who live in the school's catchment zone.
2. This is followed by catholic students who live outside the zone.
3. Non-Catholic students who live in the school's zone are then considered before those who live outside of the school zone. 

An overview of the top 50

Schools placed between 40 and 50 on the list are a mixture of public and private, and are dominated by co-ed and single sex boys' schools. 

Long Bay College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Long Bay Comms (@longbaycollege)

Long Bay College is located on Auckland’s north shore. It's a state co-educational secondary school that serves Years 9 to 13.

Botany Downs Secondary School

Located in East Tanamki in Auckland, Botany Downs Secondary College is a co-ed state secondary school. It caters to boys and girls from Years 9 to 13 and has a roll of around 2,004 students.

Wentworth Private College

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wentworth College & Primary (@wentworthcollegeandprimary)

Wentworth Private College is a co-educational private school located in Auckland. They offer small class sizes and international qualifications, such as the Cambridge International Exam.

Annual fees for Years 11-13 are NZ$40,110.

Why send your child to a Top 50 school?

There are many advantages of sending your child to a top-rated secondary school in New Zealand.

• As you can see from the list, many of these schools are private and charge high admission fees. These fees go towards building world-class facilities and investment in cultural programmes. It also helps to attract the best teachers from around the country. 
• Many of these schools rank highly because of their ability to prepare students for tertiary education. They offer smaller class sizes and a diverse range of subjects. Sometimes, students also get the chance to take international examinations.
• While many schools on the list are public, where you live and your religious affiliation may affect your ability to enrol. 
• All public schools in New Zealand are zoned so that those who live closest can attend. Many public schools that have made the ‘top 50 list’ are in affluent areas. They also benefit from donations or more community support than schools in lower-decile areas. Several public schools on the list are also religious and will give preference to students of the same faith who live in their school zone.

What to look for in a New Zealand secondary school

School rankings can be a good place to start if you live in a larger Metropolitan area. It’s important to note that there are good schools to be found throughout New Zealand. They are not an indication of how well your child will perform there, and are not the only metric you can consider. 

No matter where you live, here are some things you and your child can consider before selecting a secondary school:

Cost

Cost is a factor for most New Zealand families. The majority of school-aged children attend a public secondary school in New Zealand.

If you are religious and would like to send your child to a private school without the high fees, then an Anglican or Catholic school might be a good option for you.

Location

Many families choose to send their children to the closest secondary school, and for good reason. A school that is easily accessible by foot, bicycle or bus makes it easier for your child to enrol in extra-curricular activities. They can balance school life, a job or be more independent at a younger age.

Class sizes

Most children do well in smaller class sizes. There are fewer distractions, and teachers spend more time with each student, tailoring their teaching to individual needs.

School culture

Many schools that have made the ‘top 50’ list are highly academic and are focused on preparing students for tertiary education. This isn’t necessarily the right fit for all students. 

You may be looking for a school with a strong Arts Department. Or perhaps the opportunity to sit internationally recognised exams. It could even be a school that has the best rowing team. Aligning your child and your family’s values with the school is worth considering.

Co-ed or single sex

Some data supports the case for single sex education, particularly when it comes to Girls’ education. However, there are advantages to attending a co-ed school that can’t be measured. Being able to socialise with peers, no matter their gender, might be a better fit for your child.

Support

Your child may require additional support (such as after-school tutoring). They could also benefit from taking advanced classes. Considering the overall well-being of your child from an emotional and academic standpoint will help them succeed. 

Safety

Bullying can be an issue at some schools. Consider your options carefully. This is especially important if your child has been bullied before. Check if the school has a reputation for not dealing with bad behaviour very well. This way, you can explore alternative options that are better suited for your child.

Discipline

Some schools may have higher expectations for discipline. Private schools, in particular, have a reputation for being more discipline-oriented. For some parents, a school with a stricter approach might be important.

Diversity and Inclusion

Some private schools and state-integrated schools are known to be less diverse. This includes religious schools that were private but are now public with religious preferences.

Most state schools are more inclusive and are a reflection of the suburb they're located in. 

Extracurriculars

Many New Zealand schools prioritise more than just academics. They value the importance of extracurriculars to broaden your child’s horizons and build their confidence. This encompasses a range of interests from arts, culture and languages to team sports and athletics. 

Facilities

One of the best ways to assess the facilities of your chosen secondary school is to attend an Open Day. You’ll be able to see them for yourself. Dedicated spaces for sports, technology and artistic endeavours can help your child excel in those areas.

Reputation

If you know other families or students who had a positive or negative experience at a particular school, it may be helpful. Schools with a good reputation may provide an overall better experience for the majority of students.

Resources

Cutting-edge resources, especially when it comes to technology, can help your child succeed in certain areas. It’s worth finding out what type of resources, teaching styles or technology a school uses, especially in the final two years of secondary school.

Moving to a new school zone

Many people consider their local school zones when deciding where to move. Whether you’re moving from suburb to suburb or a new city, hiring professional movers can make the whole process less stressful. At Wise Move, you’ll find a range of affordable and trusted movers who can do the hard work for you.