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Kristin School

New Zealand, Auckland

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NZ$500 - 29,056
Ages 0 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1800
Type Co-educational
Opened 1973
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages English, Korean, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Japanese
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Kristin School is an independent, co-educational day school in New Zealand serving students from 0 to 18. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Kristin delivers a full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) alongside NCEA options, with senior learners able to choose between the IB Diploma Programme and NCEA. The campus spans 50 acres of park-like grounds and houses modern learning facilities designed to support intellectual, physical and emotional development. Key spaces include the Science and Technology Centre with 16 teaching spaces and labs, the Library and Information Centre, the Canon Creative Studio for media production, and purpose-built performing arts venues such as the Dove Theatre and a 1,000-seat auditorium. Sports facilities are extensive, including a competition hockey turf, multiple pitches, two gymnasia and indoor sport spaces. Enriching programs emphasize leadership, service, experiential learning and international exchanges through initiatives like the Dovetail Exchange Programme and GAIL partnerships across global partner networks.

The Essentials

Kristin School has 1,800 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
360 Albany Highway, Albany, Auckland 0632, New Zealand. Based in Albany on Auckland's North Shore, the campus sits on a purpose-built 50-acre site set among native bush. A fleet of Kristin buses provides transport to multiple routes around Auckland.

Stages
Early Learning to Senior School (Early Childhood Education 6 months–5 years; Kindergarten through Year 13)

Type
Independent, co-educational school

Country affiliation
New Zealand

Religious affiliation
non-denominational

Bus service
Dedicated Kristin buses operate for Kindergarten through Senior School with routes across Auckland. Drivers know students by name. Route information is available by selecting AM or PM tabs on the bus route page.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Homestay accommodation: Kiwi host families; international students usually live with a host family arranged by Kristin's International Services. Host families are carefully selected and police checked to ensure safety and welfare. The homestay provides a fully furnished bedroom with study facilities, three meals a day plus snacks, and transport to school and activities as needed.

Uniform Requirement
Kristin has a formal uniform. An on-site uniform shop sells items with fittings by appointment; some items can be purchased direct from Argyle Online; secondhand uniform sales are held regularly. House colours are used in PE and in house T-shirts as part of the school's house system.

Food Options
For international students in homestay, food is provided by the host family: three meals a day plus snacks; breakfast typically includes cereal and toast, lunch is usually a sandwich, and dinner is typically meat with vegetables.

House System
The school uses a house system; house colours feature on PE shirts and House T-Shirts; House Deans oversee house matters in the Senior School.

Governance and Ownership
Kristin School is owned by a charitable trust and governed by a Board of Governors comprising four Trustees and six Parent Governors.
Fees

Annual tuition at Kristin School ranges from NZD 500 to NZD 29,056 for 2026/27.

Application and Entrance Fees

- Application fee (payable on submission; non-refundable): NZD 300 for Junior/Middle/Senior and International applicants.
- Entrance fee (required to confirm acceptance; non-refundable): NZD 900 for Junior/Middle/Senior and International applicants.
- Kristin Education Bond (non-interest bearing; payable on acceptance and repaid when the student leaves provided correct notice and accounts are clear): NZD 3,000 for Junior/Middle/Senior and International applicants.
- Kindergarten-specific charges: Entrance Fee NZD 200 (non-refundable) and Kristin Education Bond NZD 500.

Tuition fees — Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten (consolidated)

- With 20 hours ECE funding (Full day 8:00am–4:00pm): Tuition Fee per term NZD 5,518; per month NZD 2,207. Activity fee per term NZD 90 (Total per term NZD 5,608; per month NZD 2,243).
- Without 20 hours ECE funding (Full day 8:00am–4:00pm): Tuition Fee per term NZD 7,174; per month NZD 2,870. Activity fee per term NZD 90 (Total per term NZD 7,264; per month NZD 2,906).

Tuition fees — Domestic students (2026) — annual and instalments

- Junior School (Years 0–6): Annual tuition NZD 24,021. Term instalment (four equal instalments) = NZD 6,005.25 per term. Monthly amount if paid by 10-month direct debit = NZD 2,402.10 per month.
- Middle School (Years 7–10): Annual tuition NZD 29,669. Term instalment (four equal instalments) = NZD 7,417.25 per term. Monthly amount if paid by 10-month direct debit = NZD 2,966.90 per month.
- Senior School (Years 11–13): Annual tuition NZD 30,291. Term instalment (four equal instalments) = NZD 7,572.75 per term. Monthly amount if paid by 10-month direct debit = NZD 3,029.10 per month.

Tuition fees — International students (2026) — annual and instalments

- Junior School (Years 0–6): Annual tuition NZD 42,195. Term instalment (four equal instalments) = NZD 10,548.75 per term. Monthly amount if paid by 10-month direct debit = NZD 4,219.50 per month.
- Middle School (Years 7–10): Annual tuition NZD 52,053. Term instalment (four equal instalments) = NZD 13,013.25 per term. Monthly amount if paid by 10-month direct debit = NZD 5,205.30 per month.
- Senior School (Years 11–13): Annual tuition NZD 53,135. Term instalment (four equal instalments) = NZD 13,283.75 per term. Monthly amount if paid by 10-month direct debit = NZD 5,313.50 per month.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Direct Debit over 10 months: due on the 20th of each month from February to November. Monthly amounts equal the annual tuition divided by 10.
- Direct Debit termly instalments: four equal instalments due on 20 February, 20 April, 20 July and 20 October (term instalments equal the annual tuition divided by 4).
- Single payment discount: a 1% discount on the annual tuition fee when the full year tuition is paid by 15 December of the prior year; to arrange payment via accountsreceivable@kristin.school.nz.
- Credit card, Alipay or WeChat payments incur a bank surcharge of 1.4%.
- Fees billed for incidental items (co‑curricular activities, camps, IB exam fees, etc.) are charged to the school account as they arise and are communicated to families in advance.

Additional recurring and one‑off costs

- Development Contribution (annual, per child): NZD 1,150.
- Activity Fee (covers field trips and curriculum-related activities): up to NZD 699 (varies by year level).
- Kristin Alumni Association Fee (one‑off on entry; lifetime membership; non-refundable): NZD 500.
- Uniform (new students can expect approximate initial cost): NZD 1,100 for a full uniform; second‑hand options available through school sales.
- Digital learning: Year 4–6 iPad lease (managed and owned by the school until student finishes Junior School, then transferred to family) estimated NZD 1,600. Years 7–13 bring-your-own-laptop.
- Bus fares: dependent on route and distance; concession cards available for casual users.
- International-specific extras: homestay accommodation NZD 410 per week; English acquisition lessons (if required) NZD 1,850 per term; medical insurance approximately NZD 650 per year.
- Other incidental charges: co‑curricular activities, outdoor education (camp) charges and IB Diploma exam fees are billed to the school account when applicable.

Sibling discounts

- A sibling discount applies to tuition only: 10% off tuition for the third sibling attending Kristin Junior–Senior School (excludes Little Doves ELC and Kindergarten). The discount increases to 15% for the fourth and subsequent siblings.

Refunds, transfers and fee protection

- Entrance fees and the alumni fee are non‑refundable. Kristin Education Bonds are repaid when the student leaves provided the required notice has been given and all accounts are paid.
- International students: prepaid tuition and certain annual fees must be paid in full by set deadlines for visa processing; fees are not refundable within the first 12 months if an international student gains permanent residence or a work permit and seeks to transfer to domestic fees. In later years, a full term's notice and evidence of change of status are required before a fee change will be applied.
- Tuition Fee Protection: prepaid tuition fees are held in a reserve; at the beginning of each term a quarter of pre‑paid tuition fees are transferred from the reserve to the school's income account to ensure the pre‑paid portion can be identified at any time.

Accepted payment methods and surcharges

- Direct debit (termly instalments or over 10 months) and single upfront payments are accepted. Credit card, Alipay and WeChat are accepted but incur a 1.4% bank surcharge. Single upfront payments eligible for a 1% discount if paid by the specified deadline. Bank transfer and direct debit arrangements are used for regular instalments.

Notes on incidental timing obligations

- Certain categories of fees (for example, full-year tuition, homestay, alumni fee in the entry year, activity and development contribution, and medical insurance) are required to be paid in full by the deadlines set for international enrolment to permit timely visa issuance and renewal.
Academics

Kristin School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 0 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School with dual curriculums: IB and NCEA; senior students choose between the IB Diploma Programme and NCEA.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes; senior school classes have an average of 15 students.

Exam Results
The school has a 100% pass rate in the IB Diploma and 97% of students achieving University Entrance (UE) in 2024.

Higher Education Progression
97% of students achieved University Entrance (UE) in 2024.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school emphasises intellectual and personal development through academics, experiential learning, service and leadership. It aims to develop students who are curious, caring and responsible global citizens within an environment that supports wellbeing.
Parent Experience

History
The school was founded in 1973 by a group of parents seeking quality, holistic education. It began with 42 students. The school is owned by a charitable trust and governed by a Board of Governors with four Trustees and six Parent Governors. Founding patrons remain active and valued members of the Kristin community, providing a direct connection to the school's origins.

Community
Service and the community have always been a vital part of Kristin. Getting involved with the school community connects families with daily life at Kristin. The Kristin Family and Friends (KFF) facilitates activities and events and serves as the parent body. Founding patrons remain active and valued members of the community, and former students frequently return to Kristin with their own children. The community includes international and cultural groups, with ethnic parent committees for Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Japanese, Salaam and Hispanic communities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Kristin Family and Friends (KFF) is the parent body and facilitates activities and events on behalf of the school, providing opportunities for families to participate. Examples of events include the Summer Carnival, International Peace Night Concert, Wednesday Walks, and Second-Hand Uniform Sales.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Kristin campus spans 50 acres of park-like grounds with modern facilities. It provides well-resourced classrooms and laboratories, complemented by an extensive library, auditoriums, a media studio, and sports facilities. The grounds include gardens, age-specific playgrounds and expansive natural spaces for exploration. The campus supports intellectual, physical and emotional development. It enables a wide range of learning experiences across the sciences, technology, arts and physical education.

Sports Facilities
Kristin offers a wide range of sporting facilities. The campus includes a competition-sized hockey turf with stadium lighting, rugby and football pitches, and multiple cricket pitches and football fields. There is a multi-purpose indoor facility named Tūrama for netball, basketball or tennis. The hockey turf is located at the rear of the Junior School and is equipped with stadium lighting. Kristin has two gymnasiums—the Roy Munn Gym in the Junior School and the Old Gym near Gate 1—and a rock climbing wall used in Outdoor Education. The Institute of Golf is nearby and provides a driving range with 10 undercover bays.

Academic Facilities
The Science and Technology Centre provides 16 teaching spaces and laboratories, arranged around a central atrium with social spaces, ample natural lighting, and energy-efficient heating and cooling. The Library and Information Centre (LIC) houses the library, Information Services, a Senior Study Centre, Senior School Administration, a public gallery and conference facilities. The Senior Study Centre includes a study room and a senior common room with an external courtyard. The Canon Creative Studio is the hub of media production, featuring a blackout studio, a nine-metre-wide green screen with ARRI lighting, Apple M2 Macbooks for editing and Canon cameras and lenses.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Arts and performing arts facilities include the Dove Theatre (approximately 200 seats) and the Auditorium (over 1,000 seats), with the Arts Centre connecting to music suites, drama and dance studios. The Canon Creative Studio supports media production for student projects. The LIC provides a public gallery and conference facilities for exhibitions and events. Kristin offers co-curricular opportunities in Performing Arts, Sports, Volunteer and Leadership, and Experiential Learning.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school participates in mathematics competitions, including the European Girls' Maths Olympiad, Inter School Maths Olympiad, Auckland Maths Olympiad, Mathex, Calcex and the New Zealand Maths Olympiad. The co-curricular programme includes enrichment opportunities, workshops, futures evening and futures camp, and university visits to extend learning beyond the classroom. The school is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and offers IB Diploma pathways and international placements in line with its international curriculum.

Arts & Creative
The Performing Arts program encompasses music, art, dance and drama for students in Junior through Senior School. The program includes award-winning productions and practical theatre experiences in a fully functioning theatre environment. Our musical productions include Disney's Lion King KIDS, Frozen JR, the Addams Family and Disney's The Little Mermaid JR, among others. There are choirs, orchestras, chamber music, contemporary ensembles and itinerant music tuition across more than 20 instruments.

Cultural & Language
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Kristin offers long-term placements through its International Programme and short-term placements by arrangement. Language, cultural and service trips enrich language learning and provide immersive experiences, with the Dovetail Exchange Programme enabling Middle and Senior School students to live and study in other cultures. Kristin participates in the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning (GAIL), linking with partner schools and offering annual GAIL conventions. The International brochure is available in English, Korean, Japanese, Spanish and Italian.

Social & Hobbies
Co-curricular opportunities include Performing Arts and Sports, with more than 20 sporting codes and top-quality facilities on-site. Performing Arts spans choir, orchestras, chamber music, jazz and other ensembles, and includes major productions such as Disney's The Lion King KIDS, Frozen JR, The Addams Family and The Little Mermaid JR. Dance programmes, theatre activities and theatre productions provide broad opportunities for creative and collaborative work, including Dance in the Dove and Theatre/Drama activities. Toastmasters and other clubs operate as part of Kristin's co-curricular life.

Community & Service
Leadership and service go hand in hand at Kristin; as an IB World School, leadership and service are integrated to benefit the school and wider community. Through leadership roles and active community-minded groups, students learn to support peers and engage in service activities; programmes align with the PYP Exhibition, MYP Community Project and IB Diploma CAS. Kristin has ongoing partnerships with community organisations such as Ronald McDonald House, Restoring Rosedale Park and Wairau Special Valley School. Experiential Learning also includes service learning opportunities and overseas experiences.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and service roles are structured to provide learning and growth that complement the curriculum. Through ongoing partnerships with community organisations, students engage in meaningful service projects. The Senior School offers mentoring, enrichment opportunities, workshops, futures evening, futures camp and university visits to support career development and future planning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports are a core focus, with more than 20 sporting codes and top-quality fields, a high-performance gym, climbing wall, an all-weather hockey turf and covered tennis and netball courts. The school aims to develop lifelong physical activity through quality coaching across codes. Camp Week is a major outdoor learning experience for Years 7–13, designed to build teamwork, independence, resilience and personal development. Physical Education/Health/Learning for Life is a compulsory part of the Senior School, reinforcing wellbeing as part of Kristin's approach.
Languages

Language Provision
Mandarin Chinese and Maori are taught throughout the Kindergarten and Junior School. Language classes for Middle and Senior School include Chinese, Spanish, French and Japanese.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Apply online: Applications take about 15 minutes to complete and require documents such as the photo page of the applicant's passport or NZ birth certificate; for non-New Zealand passport holders, a visa copy; a recent head-and-shoulders photo; two most recent school reports; and copies of any educational assessments if applicable. 2. Little Doves ELC and Kristin Kindergarten: Applications are open year-round; after submission, the child is placed in an Applicant Pool and will be contacted for an interview if a place becomes available; tours are invitation-only. 3. Junior School (Year 0 and Year 1): Applications are open year-round; selected candidates are notified for an entrance interview closer to when the child turns five; tours are offered by invitation. 4. Middle School (Years 7 and 9, 2026 entries): Applications for 2026 have closed; 2027 and beyond are open; due to high demand not all applicants will be selected for an entrance interview; those not selected will be placed in the Applicant Pool and may be contacted if opportunities arise. 5. Senior School (Years 11–13, 2026 entries): Applications for 2026 have closed; 2027 and beyond are open; due to high demand and limited places not all applicants will be shortlisted; shortlisted candidates and their parent(s) or guardian(s) must attend an entrance interview with the Senior School Principal or delegate. 6. International students: Kristin generally does not accept international students under 14 unless they live in Auckland with a parent permanently present; a copy of the birth certificate and passport must be provided with the International Student application. 7. What we look for: Kristin seeks students with real potential to be intellectual and independent learners and to contribute across the co-curriculum; selection considers academics, character, interests and personality. 8. Community connections: connections to the Kristin community (such as being siblings of current students or children of alumni) are considered as part of the process, but do not guarantee a place. 9.

Scholarships
Dove Scholarships are Kristin's main scholarship program for Years 9–13 and include four categories: Dove Sports Scholarships, Dove Performing Arts Scholarships, Dove Foundation Scholarships (for Alumni/Foundation families), and Dove Emerging Leaders Scholarships. Each category offers up to 50% of tuition fees and is renewed each year if scholarship requirements are met. Dove Scholarships open for 2027 entry; applications close 31 March 2026; applicants complete an online form and are notified by email about shortlisting. Eligibility requires New Zealand Citizenship or Permanent Residency; scholarships are for new students entering Years 9–13. Shortlisted applicants and their parents attend an interview; a financial disclosure may be requested; decisions are final; if no applicants meet criteria, Kristin may not award any scholarships that year.

Waitlist
Applicants not selected for an entrance interview are placed in the Applicant Pool and may be contacted if an opportunity for an entrance interview arises at a later date.
School Events
The school has not added events
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