These are some of the most expensive private schools in Aotearoa
Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Would you pay $33,000 per year to send your child to a private school?
That’s what parents are paying at one of New Zealand’s most expensive private schools for tuition alone.
Most private schools charge fees before students even set foot in the door, including a non-refundable application fee and a fee to secure their spot if their application is accepted.
A contribution towards the school’s old students’ association and a building levy are usually compulsory, the latter which goes towards maintaining the school grounds.
Some require a bond, which will be paid back once the student leaves the school having paid their dues, while some offer discounts for early payment or to families who enrol multiple children.
Year 10 generally costs more, as students will participate in some sort of outdoor education programme.
CEO of Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Guy Pascoe said parents may opt to send their children to private schools for smaller class sizes, high achievement, quality teaching staff and opportunities to take part in a wide range of co-curricular activities.
Private schools typically offer additional qualification frameworks on top of NCEA, including International Baccalaureate and Cambridge.
Parents may also prefer their children attend faith or community-based schools or specialist schools for children with specific learning needs.
In 2023, 11% of students attended ISNZ registered schools on a scholarship or bursary, totalling more than $47 million, 67% of which was dedicated to hardship scholarships.
How expensive is your kids’ school? Email caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz
“It’s worth noting that students who attend private schools come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, with many families making considerable financial sacrifices to do so,” Pascoe said.
We’ve put together a list of some of the country’s most expensive schools below.
Note: Some of the schools below also offer primary and intermediate school education, however, only secondary school figures for domestic students have been included.
King’s College - Ōtāhuhu, Auckland
Application fee: $350
Acceptance fee: $1700
Tuition for years 9, 11, 12 and 13: $30,410
Tuition for year 10: $34,245 (includes $500 fee for Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC), a hands-on outdoor learning program.
Campus and building levy: $500 per student
Boarding: $17,880
St Margaret’s College - Merivale, Christchurch
Application fee: $200
Acceptance fee: $1600
Tuition years 9 - 13: $29,110
International Baccalaureate Diploma levy for years 12 and 13: $1500
Building fund contribution: $1320
Parents’ and Friends’ Association fee: $69
Boarding: $17,900
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School - Merivale, Christchurch
Acceptance fee: $1750
Tuition for years 9 -13: $29,050
Boarding: $18,100
St Peter’s School - Cambridge
Application fee: $250
Acceptance fee: $1100
Tuition years 9 and 10: $26,200
Tuition years 11, 12 and 13: $28,400
Campus development fee: $1400 per student
Boarding: $18,975
Scots College - Strathmore Park, Wellington
Application fee: $160
Acceptance fee: $500
Tuition years 9 and 10: $26,300
Tuition years 11, 12 and 13: $27,400
Scots Foundation annual levy: $150 per family
Parents’ Association annual levy: $69 per family
Scots Collegians Association levy: $100 per student
Boarding: $19,950
St Cuthbert’s College - Epsom, Auckland
Application fee: $250
Acceptance fee: $2365
Tuition for years 9, 11, 12 and 13: $29,164
Tuition for year 10: $31,860 (includes fee for Kahunui, a month-long outdoor learning programme at its Bay of Plenty campus).
Building levy: $500 per family
Boarding: $19,976
Christ’s College - Christchurch
Application fee: $250
Acceptance fee: $2500
Tuition for years 9, 11, 12 and 13: $ 32,250
Tuition for year 10: $33,870 (includes fee for Immerse Inspire, a four-week programme focusing on character, leadership and personal development).
Heritage and building levy: $1600 per family
Boarding: $21,000