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Rangitoto College

New Zealand, Auckland

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NZ$22 - 24
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 4105
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP)
Taught languages Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, French, English
Typical class size 16
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, High School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Rangitoto College is New Zealand's largest secondary school on a 23-hectare campus in Mairangi Bay, Auckland. It serves students aged 13 to 18 and offers a dual-pathway curriculum: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and NCEA, with Year 11 Diploma replacing NCEA Level 1 in 2024. The IB cohort consistently performs above the global average, including a 95% pass rate, multiple Top IB Scholar results, and 26% of students attaining the Bilingual Diploma across seven language pairings. The school provides university pathways through University Approved Subjects and study support. Facilities include a library with over 20,000 titles and around 80 librarians, the Millennium Institute with a 50-metre pool and on-site medical services, a Performing Arts venue, and an Auditorium seating 700. Sports facilities feature an Olympic-standard hockey turf and multiple gymnasia. A broad co-curricular program spans robotics, Esports, performing arts, sport, service, and leadership, augmented by AUT Millennium partnership access globally.

564 East Coast Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand

The Essentials

Rangitoto College has 4,105 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
564 East Coast Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand. The school sits on the North Shore of Auckland. Top car park drop-offs are not allowed during 8:00–9:00am and 3:00–4:00pm; use the lower car park drop-off zone off Grahame Collins Drive. Buses run as normal from the start of the year; full bus services are available from January 29, 2025.

Stages
Years 9–13

Type
The school is a dual-pathway secondary school offering both NCEA and the IB Diploma Programme.

Additional learning support
The Learning Centre provides an inclusive mainstream environment for students with additional learning needs. In Years 9 and 10 there are targeted English and Mathematics classes with smaller student numbers and higher staff ratios to provide personalised support. The ESOL Department offers English language development courses aligned with the NZ Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate.

Country affiliation
New Zealand

School day structure
The school day starts at 8:40am for all students. Year 9 first day is 9:00am–3:00pm; Year 10–13 new students start at 9:00am and finish around 1:00pm. Day 1 of timetabled classes for all students begins at 8:40am.

Bus service
Buses will run as normal for the start of the year; full bus services are available from January 29, 2025.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school does not provide boarding; international students live with host families in homestay arranged by Rangitoto College, with full board provided by the homestay. A Designated Caregiver (DCG) option is available, where the caregiver is verified and the college checks suitability.

Uniform Requirement
All Year 9–12 Rangitoto College students must wear a school uniform. The uniform can be purchased at the on-site uniform shop; a second-hand uniform shop is open on Fridays during lunch; uniform shop hours are published and second-hand shop operates Fridays during lunch and term-time.

Food Options
Two tuckshops operate on campus. Champion Tuckshops provide a nutrition-focused Eat Smart menu in partnership with the Heart Foundation, Fuel4Life, and BioPak; tuckshops are open to all students throughout the day from 8:00 am to 2:10 pm.

House System
The college is designing and developing a house system to create smaller communities within the school and to foster belonging and connections between students and staff.

Governance and Ownership
Rangitoto College is governed by the Rangitoto College School Board, which shapes the strategic direction and governance of the college; board members include elected parent representatives, a staff representative, a student representative, and the acting principal.
Fees

Annual tuition at Rangitoto College ranges from NZD 22 to NZD 24 for 2026/27.

Application / Administration fee
- Administration fee (non‑refundable): NZD 2,750 per year.

Tuition fees (by programme and by term / year)
- Tuition for NCEA or short‑term students: NZD 19,750 per four‑term year. This is charged as NZD 4,937.50 per 10‑week term.
- Tuition for IB students: NZD 21,500 per four‑term year (IB fees are charged annually).
- Notes on year groups: tuition is quoted by programme (NCEA or IB) rather than separately by Year 9–13; the per‑term and per‑year figures above apply across the standard school year levels for international enrolment.

Estimated total fee examples (components included: tuition, administration, homestay where applicable, insurance and placement fees)
- One academic year (four terms): NZD 42,999.
- One semester (two terms): NZD 22,194.
- One term: NZD 11,373.

Homestay and accommodation‑related fees (school‑arranged homestay)
- Homestay weekly rate (paid in advance): NZD 420 per week; a different rate may apply for younger students.
- Homestay placement fee (one‑off): NZD 550.
- Designated caregiver administration fee: NZD 350.
- Homestay change administration fee: NZD 150.
- Homestay holding fee (maximum): NZD 600.
- Special dietary requirements charge (where applicable): NZD 50 per week (depending on requirements).
- Airport pickup: Free. Airport departure transfer (if offered): Free.
- Boarding: Not applicable — the College is not a boarding school and does not offer on‑site boarding accommodation.

Other costs and regular extras (student's own cost unless stated)
- Travel & medical insurance: NZD 635+ per year (policy cost subject to change).
- Uniform: allow approximately NZD 400.
- Laptop: compulsory for all students; cost varies and is not included in tuition.
- Stationery and workbooks: allow approximately NZD 150; some workbook costs are included in tuition.
- IB examination fee (for IB students): listed separately where applicable (example annual IB exam charge noted).
- Subject‑specific costs, school trips, outdoor education, sports fees, music tuition and extra‑curricular activity charges: additional, user‑pays and vary by activity.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoice and offer process: a Conditional Offer of Place is issued with an invoice; once required fees are paid the school issues a Receipt and a Confirmed Offer of Place. Fees and deposits are expected to be paid before the Confirmed Offer is issued.
- Homestay fees are payable in advance for the period being booked; other components (tuition, administration, insurance) are billed as stated on the invoice.
- The Board of Trustees reviews and sets fees annually; invoices specify the exact amounts and due dates for each enrolment.

Payment methods and practical instructions
- Accepted payment channels: international bank transfer directly to the College account, and the Convera student payment platform (accepts bank transfer, credit/debit card, and certain eWallet options). Convera also provides exchange‑rate holding and a payment‑tracking service.
- Convera features: ability to pay in 140+ currencies, compare options, hold an exchange rate for a short period, and track payment status; refunds can be initiated through the platform where applicable.

Refund information and conditions
- Refunds before course start: fees will be refunded less an administration fee and any costs already incurred by the school; exact deductions depend on work already committed.
- Refunds after course start: fees are not refunded except in exceptional circumstances; such cases require written application to the Director of International Students and are considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
- Guaranteed refund circumstances: full or partial refunds are provided if a student's visa is declined, if the College ceases to offer a suitable course, or if the College ceases to be a signatory to the Code of Practice.
- Homestay fee refunds: any balance of homestay funds is refunded to parents' bank accounts in full when the student signs out of the College.

Practical notes (payment timing and inclusions)
- Tuition figures shown above include school tuition, NCEA examination fees and textbooks for each subject where noted; they generally do not include uniform, laptop, personal travel, pocket money, sports fees or voluntary extra‑curricular costs.
- Exact invoice amounts, term dates and payment due dates are specified on the invoice issued with the offer and should be followed to secure placement and homestay allocations.
Academics

Rangitoto College teaches IB (DP) for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
Rangitoto College offers a dual-pathway curriculum, combining NCEA with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). Year 11 Diploma replaced NCEA Level 1 in 2024. The IB Programme achieves a 95% pass rate, has multiple Top IB Scholar results, and 26% of the cohort (20 recipients) attained the Bilingual Diploma across seven language pairings. Rangitoto College continues to perform about 15% above the global IB average. The school also maintains NCEA for senior years alongside IB, providing two internationally recognised routes to tertiary study.

Exam Results
NZQA Scholarships reached 324 in 2024, including 32 at Outstanding. In 2025, 348 NZQA Scholarships were achieved, including 42 at Outstanding. The University Entrance (UE) rate is 80%. For 2025, top NZ scholarship reporting highlighted 348 passes and 42 Outstanding results.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have won scholarships to all New Zealand universities and a wide range of prestigious universities abroad, including Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Imperial College, UC Berkeley, Washington State University, the University of Canberra, the University of Melbourne, MIT, Harvard Medical School, Cornell University, and New York State University.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) provides enrichment, extension, and accelerated study for the most able students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a Counselling Department that provides a private and confidential service for students at all year levels. Students may self-refer, or be referred by teachers, deans, senior management, or parents. The aim is to support students to reach their full potential in education and beyond and to grow into socially aware, resilient individuals who can manage life's challenges with confidence. The Counselling Department supports students with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, anger, eating concerns, and substance use, and can refer to external agencies for acute needs. Counselling uses a pluralistic approach with modalities including Narrative Therapy, Sand Tray, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Positive Psychology, tailored to each student. All counsellors are members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and follow professional standards.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Centre provides an inclusive, mainstream environment for students with additional learning needs, to support learning access to the New Zealand Curriculum and IB at a level appropriate to each student's abilities. The Centre operates with a whole-school, inclusive and collaborative approach, working with senior leadership, Deans, subject teachers, Learning Assistants, external agencies, and families/whānau. It is managed by the Head of Learning Support (SENCO) with a team of specialist teachers, Learning Assistants, and administrative staff, and provides a safe, nurturing space for learning. Each student's strengths and needs are identified through testing, and support includes RTLB, Group Special Education, educational psychologists and therapists, with in-class support from Learning Assistants (including bilingual ones). Targeted support is offered through individualized learning plans; SAC coordination; and preparation for SAC; the Centre also runs the REACH literacy/numeracy program and offers before school and lunchtime tutoring. The Learning Centre team emphasizes personalised programmes and regular progress monitoring.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school has an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Department that offers ten courses aligned with both the English learning area of the New Zealand Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate. Eight courses align with the NZ Curriculum and prepare students for the optional IB pathway, one course is part of the International Baccalaureate programme, and one course prepares international students for the IELTS examination. ESOL is not a learning support service; it is a full curriculum subject leading to Level 2 NCEA English and the IB Diploma Programme. English is compulsory at Rangitoto College, except for Year 13. Course placement and progression are based on English language proficiency, and timetable codes may be administrative. Some ESOL courses are designed for students who are new to New Zealand high school and whose first language is not English, focusing on everyday and foundational academic language and cultural understanding of NZ schooling.

Mental Wellbeing
The school has a Counselling Department that provides a private and confidential service for students at all year levels. The aim is to support students to reach their full potential in education and beyond and to grow into socially aware, resilient individuals who can manage life's challenges with confidence. The Counselling Department helps students with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, anger, conflict, eating concerns, and substance use, and may refer to external agencies for acute concerns as needed. Counsellors use a pluralistic approach, drawing on methods such as Narrative Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, CBT, ACT, and Positive Psychology, with approaches tailored to the needs of each student. Counsellors are bound by the NZAC Code of Ethics and engage in ongoing professional development.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection Policy that outlines the board's commitment to safeguarding and the wellbeing of children in our care. All staff, contractors, and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the policy, its procedures and protocols, and to report suspected abuse to appropriate agencies, including social workers or the local police. The policy states the board's obligation to provide a safe environment free from physical, verbal or sexual abuse and to support investigations with NZ Police and Child Youth & Family when required. The principal must develop procedures to meet child safety requirements, ensure staff safety checks, and make the policy available; it emphasises confidentiality and information sharing guidelines and includes staff induction on child protection. The policy is designed to ensure the safety and rights of every child are paramount.
Parent Experience

History
The first day of Rangitoto College was 6 February 1956. Founded in 1956 on a 23-hectare site, the college has modern, innovative facilities. New Zealand's largest secondary school, it is recognized locally and around the world for its academic excellence, sporting achievements, performing arts, and the quality of its young people. The college is turning 70 in 2026.

Community
Students enjoy being part of a safe, inclusive, and culturally diverse school community. Cultural activities in Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Drama are complemented by sporting excellence and overseas exchange opportunities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Rangitoto College PTA leads a range of ongoing initiatives that support parents, students, and the wider school community. One key project is the Second‑Hand Uniform Shop, run by a dedicated and growing team of parent volunteers for the benefit of families and the College. We are always looking for enthusiastic parent volunteers to join us; getting involved is a rewarding way to contribute to your child's school, connect with other parents, and make a meaningful difference in our community. Stay up to date by getting in touch or joining the Rangitoto College PTA Facebook Group. PTA contacts include Chairperson: Sandra Steinberg; Vice Chairperson: Calla Cheng; Treasurer: Jaco Breytenbach; Secretary: Christine Johnson; Second-Hand Uniform Shop Manager: Jodie Reynolds.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rangitoto College sits on a large, purpose-built campus with well‑resourced subject blocks used by a wide range of courses. The library is a central learning hub with over 20,000 titles and a team of around 80 student librarians who support research and reading. The campus includes an on-site health centre and fitness centre, tuck shops, a dance studio, and a purpose-built Performing Arts venue. The Auditorium seats up to 700 for performances and assemblies, and the Millennium Institute on site provides a 50‑metre indoor swimming pool, high‑performance gym facilities, and medical services, with on‑site physiotherapy available.

Sports Facilities
Rangitoto College's sporting facilities include an Olympic‑standard water‑based hockey turf and three multi‑purpose gymnasiums with full‑sized basketball courts. Newly canopy‑covered netball and tennis courts are lit and equipped with sound systems, and indoor cricket nets feature a professional‑grade bowling machine. The Millennium Institute on site houses a 50‑metre pool, high‑performance gym facilities, and specialised medical services, with on‑site physiotherapy for students and staff. The school's partnership with AUT Millennium next door provides access to shared athletic tracks, the National Aquatic Centre, AUT Millennium pools, and high‑performance centres.

Academic Facilities
The school's facilities include a well-stocked library and dedicated support spaces; our library features extensive print and digital resources and is supported by librarians who guide student research. Students move between purpose‑built subject blocks, which are well resourced for the wide range of subjects offered. Technology is integrated as a core part of the curriculum to foster practical, design‑based learning. Rangitoto College provides university‑oriented pathways through University Approved Subjects and extensive study support, including academic mentoring, NCEA revision and related workshops.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Rangitoto College offers an extensive range of co‑curricular activities across music, drama, dance and cultural groups, with performing arts facilities including six specialist music suites, rehearsal studios, a purpose‑built dance studio, a performing arts venue, an theatrette, computer suite, auditorium, and recording studio. The school provides around 30 different sports and a wide variety of clubs and activities beyond the classroom, including robotics, Esports, and numerous language and culture groups. The Sport Performance Academy (S.P.A.) supports high‑performance junior athletes with sport‑specific training and development, and there are additional opportunities such as EVolocity competitions and other service/leadership activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Robotics Club, Mathematical Olympiad Club, Maths Club and Maths Competition Club provide STEM and mathematical problem-solving opportunities. Science and Engineering Student Association (SESA) brings together students with interests in science and engineering. Informatics Club and Programming Club support computing and digital literacy. The University of Auckland Stock Pitch Competition gives students a finance-style competition experience.

Arts & Creative
Music and Performing Arts offer a range of opportunities, including membership in the orchestra, choir, concert band, and jazz band, with access to private tuition and practice rooms. Students can take part in the school show, drama productions, theatresports, and dance showcases. Art Club, Photography Club, Creative Writing Club, Novel Writing Club, and Junior Shakespeare provide additional creative avenues. Kapa Haka and other performing groups are also part of Performing Arts.

Cultural & Language
Korean Language Club, New Zealand Sign Language Club, Korean Culture Club, Korean Night and Japan Day are among cultural and language activities. Rangitoto College also hosts community cultural groups, such as the Rangitoto Islamic Association and various language clubs.

Social & Hobbies
Board Game Club and Trading Card Games Club support strategic and social play. Dungeons and Dragons Club and Juggle Rangi offer fantasy and hobby activities. Esports provides competitive gaming.

Community & Service
Cure Kids, Platform for the Needy (PLANE) Club and UN Youth are active service and civic engagement clubs. Letters to Strangers (L2S) offers outreach opportunities, while Rangitoto Reporter (Journalism Club) contributes to community awareness and engagement.

Leadership & Professional
Emerging Entrepreneurs and Business Club provides entrepreneurial activities; Duke of Edinburgh offers a leadership and outdoor adventure program; Law Club explores legal topics; Rangitoto Reporter (Journalism Club) provides media experience; UN Youth and other debating and speaking clubs develop communication and leadership skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Rangitoto College offers 40 different sports and 50 different performing arts activities, and 30 cultural/creative activities. Facilities include an Olympic-standard all-weather hockey turf, three gymnasiums, a weights room, an athletics track, five sports fields, a dance studio and a large swimming pool. Netball, Rugby, Basketball, Hockey, Cricket and other sports are part of the school's active lifestyle offerings.
Languages

Language Provision
All languages are available for study from Year 9 through to Year 13: Te Reo Māori, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish.

Bilingual Teaching
IB bilingual diplomas are awarded in seven world languages.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit a completed enrolment form (including letter for host family, subjects, medical information). This enrolment form is part of the online application available at rangitoto.enrol.school.nz. 2. Provide a copy of the student's passport. 3. Provide a copy of the student's academic record. 4. Apply online at rangitoto.enrol.school.nz.

1. If accepted, Rangitoto College issues a Conditional Offer of Place and an invoice. Agents are sent two invoices: a net invoice that includes commission and a tax invoice that does not.

2. Fees can be paid online or at the bank; there is information about payment on the invoice and links to online payment methods on the International Fees page.

3. After the fees have been paid, the International office sends the Receipt and Confirmed Offer of Place.

4. The Confirmed Offer of Place is used to apply for a Student Visa through Immigration New Zealand.

Scholarships
The Scholarship Programme is part of the Curriculum: Scholarship Programme and challenges and inspires students to reach their full potential. Dedicated classes are built into the timetable to extend abilities and prepare students to excel in NZQA Scholarship exams and beyond. A scholarship room in the library provides a dedicated space for scholars to work individually or with peers.

Scholarship enrichment includes speakers, workshops, and real‑world insights; students intending to study abroad receive advice on entry requirements, scholarship applications, SATs, and interviews.

In Year 10, students begin to explore specialised subjects; in the senior years, the college offers a wide breadth of study with more than seventy subjects at Year 12 and twenty‑six Scholarship subjects at Year 13.

The school has achieved NZQA scholarship success, with a total of 348 Scholarships awarded in 2025, including 42 at outstanding level; premier awards and other scholarship recognitions are also noted.

Support for students aiming to study abroad includes guidance on entry requirements, scholarship applications, SATs, and interviews.
School Events
The school has not added events
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