Wellington may be a compact capital, but its secondary schools offer a surprisingly wide range of choices. From high-performing traditional colleges to creative, progressive schools and smaller private campuses, there’s no single version of a “top” Wellington school.
The best fit will depend on what matters most to your family: academics, arts, sport, pastoral care, teaching style, or school culture. For state schools, enrolment zones can also play a big part in the decision.
So, which school is right for your child? We’ve rounded up some of Wellington’s standout secondary schools, from the city to the Hutt Valley and Kāpiti Coast, and what to know before you apply.
Most public secondary schools run from Year 9 to Year 13, although some start earlier at Year 7. This is because Years 7 and 8, usually known as the intermediate years, can be taught at a separate intermediate school or included within a primary or secondary school.
Some schools combine both primary and secondary education, offering Years 1 through 13 on the same campus. These are usually private schools and charge annual tuition fees.
We’ve looked at a broad mix of educational resources, school rankings, and feedback from local parents to bring you our pick of the top secondary schools in Wellington.
View this post on Instagram
Queen Margaret College is often cited as the top private girls’ school in Wellington. It’s officially ranked #1 locally and #12 nationally by Crimson Education, an international education consulting and tutoring company.
Queen Margaret College is consistently praised for its high academic standards and supportive small class sizes. Online, parents note that students develop strong confidence and self-discipline.
They are the girls’ school in Wellington to offer the full continuum of International Baccalaureate programmes (IB), which is an international qualification that students may choose instead of NCEA.
The College has high NCEA pass rates and niversity Entrance (around 90% of students go on to university). The school is also known for its leadership opportunities, diverse ways of learning, university pathways, and wrap-around care for students' wellbeing.
The school is known for having a strict environment where uniform and presentation are enforced. Additionally, although many former students have praised access to academic help, others mention that the high-pressure culture might not suit every student.
View this post on Instagram
‘Marsden’ has an official Crimson Education ranking of #2 in Wellington and #20 in New Zealand.
Marsden is frequently cited as a top private choice for balancing academic results with a more holistic, well-rounded approach to teaching. Parents have highlighted the school’s strong pastoral care and individual learning support.
The school is set on a large, leafy campus which can be a bonus for students who enjoy outdoor play and sports.
Like Queen Margaret College, Marsden Collegiate is a private school that demands some of the highest fees in the country, although scholarships are available.
View this post on Instagram
Scots College are ranked #3 locally and #27 in New Zealand by Crimson Education for its academic performance.
Scots College is highly regarded for its dual International Baccalaureate and NCEA pathways, which provide pathways to universities around the world. They also have world-class sporting and arts facilities.
While originally an all-boys school, Scots College transitioned to full co-education in 2022. This is a major advantage for some families, as it’s the only private co-ed school in Wellington city.
As Wellington’s only co-ed private secondary school, the location can be a problem for families living in the northern suburbs. You will find yourself doing two daily cross-city commutes.
View this post on Instagram
Ranked #4 locally and #35 in New Zealand by Crimson Education.
Wellington Girls’ is widely considered the best public girls' school for academic focus and university entrance in Wellington. They consistently record NCEA pass rates and University Entrance well above 90% (far above national averages).
While they’re a traditionally academic school, co-curricular activities are still popular. The school offers over 25 different sports, with high participation rates in music, drama, and cultural groups like Kapa Haka and Pasifika clubs.
The location can be a bonus for many families too. The campus is located in Pipitea, a short walk from the Wellington Railway Station.
With 1,400 students, Wellington Girls’ College is a large school, and it can be easy for some students to feel lost if they struggle with motivation.
Wellington Girls' College is a zoned school and is in extremely high demand. Out-of-zone enrolment spaces are rare and heavily contested via ballot. This means that living near this school is not only a convenience but could also be key to getting accepted.
View this post on Instagram
While Wellington High School is not ranked in Crimson's top 50 (due to non-academic weighting criteria), it’s a highly-rated school by local parents, students, and alumni.
Wellington High is considered a standout state co-ed school due to its more progressive approach to education. It’s well known for having an inclusive culture, strong arts and music programmes, and support for neurodivergent or creative students. It has a solid reputation for an exceptional handling of bullying incidents and pastoral care, with a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ youth, creative minds, and neurodivergent learners.
The school has a focus on nurturing students’ ‘soft skills', such as teaching students how to successfully build and maintain relationships and how to handle conflict.
Unlike other Wellington schools, both private and state, Wellington High is uniform-free, and students refer to teachers by their first name. Students who thrive under a more traditional approach or parents who are looking for a ‘competitive’ school may find it too unstructured.
View this post on Instagram
Ranked #5 in Wellington and #36 in New Zealand by Crimson Education. Wellington College is one of the country's oldest and most prominent state schools, founded in 1867.
Wellington College holds a strong reputation across the Wellington region for academic performance, deep tradition, and athletic success. The school is highly respected for its academic rigour, history, and sports achievements.
The school has over 30 sporting codes and dozens of arts and culture clubs, with state-of-the-art facilities to support them. As a state school, Wellington College draws students from central Wellington as well as the southern and eastern suburbs.
As a result, its student body is significantly more ethnically diverse than comparable institutions (many of which are private). The roll is roughly 22% Asian, 9% Māori, 5% Pacifika, and 3–4% international students.
Wellington College is known for being a traditional, competitive, and academic school, which has worked well for athletic, confident students. With 1,950 students, quieter pupils may feel overwhelmed being part of such a large, traditionally focused cohort.
View this post on Instagram
While you won’t find Onslow College ranked on sites like Crimson Education, it’s locally known as one of the best public co-ed schools in Wellington.
Students and parents like this school for its progressive, uniform-free, and student-centred environment. It’s commended for being strong in the sciences, music, and academics.
With a roll of 1,240 students, it’s big enough to offer a wide range of clubs, sports, arts, music, and drama. The school has strong participation in sports including rowing, football, rugby, and basketball.
The school’s location makes it a great option for families in the northern suburbs who are looking for a progressive school that still performs academically. Onslow’s NCEA Level 1, 2, and 3 results consistently match or exceed similar high-decile school groups.
Some previous students have criticised the state of the school’s facilities, noting the school’s aging classroom infrastructure and lack of funding to fix it.
View this post on Instagram
Officially ranked #41 in New Zealand and #6 in the Wellington region by Crimson Education.
Students and parents praise this school for its structured discipline, close-knit community, and focus on character development. As an Anglican school, there’s a strong emphasis on service to others, developing students' leadership potential and academic excellence.
Hutt International has a roll of around 650 students, which many parents and students see as a plus. This means class sizes are smaller, resourcing is high, and they are able to maintain a supportive environment, producing strong academic results.
As the HIBS roll is relatively small for a secondary school, demand is high. Entry into the school can be competitive.
View this post on Instagram
Although not on Crimson Education's list, Chilton is widely regarded as a top school locally by parents and students.
Chilton is famous in the Hutt Valley for both academics and co-curricular activities. It has specialised academies in ballet, music, and the performing arts. Students are encouraged to excel in both their academic and creative studies.
Small class sizes are another big plus. This allows for more one-on-one time with teachers and a more tailored approach to learning in the classroom. The school has just under 400 students. The campus has a smaller size which, rather than detracting from the learning experience, provides a more nurturing environment.
As a private, independent school, Chilton Saint James charges high fees, which are a significant financial investment for many families. While the strong focus on the arts can be a plus for some students, it can be a drawback for others.
View this post on Instagram
While Paraparaumu College does not have an official ranking, it does have a reputation for being the best state-run secondary school on the Kāpiti Coast.
The school has a strong emphasis on community roots. It’s known for offering an innovative approach to learning, and for having highly supportive teaching staff. Many students here graduate with solid results in a wide range of academic subjects and trade-vocational NCEA pathways.
The school has around 1,500 students and a large campus. With a large roll, the school is able to offer a wider range of academic subjects, sports, and cultural opportunities.
The large roll size may not be for everyone. Paraparaumu College is considered a local school, which means that they prioritise students who live in the catchment area first. Therefore, many parents consider moving closer to the high school.
In Wellington, your favourite school and your current address don’t always line up neatly. With some popular state schools operating within enrolment zones, moving a few suburbs over could put your family in a much better position come application time.
If a new school means a new Wellington address too, Wise Move can help make the change considerably easier. Book a trusted Wellington moving team to get your family settled into the new neighbourhood, with one less thing to organise before the first day of school.
Wellington has plenty of strong high schools, and no shortlist can capture every great option. If you believe your school should be included, feel free to contact us, and we'd be happy to update the list.
![The cost of living in Hamilton [2026]](https://cdn.wisemove.co.nz/image/blog/cc68a61bd02361285bbca5ee1d5feda6.jpeg "The cost of living in Hamilton [2026]")
