Private & international schools in Christchurch

Compare Year 11 preparation before choosing NCEA or IB

St Andrew's publishes New Zealand schooling with NCEA assessment from Year 11. Its international-student guidance advises a Term 1 start, or earlier, for Years 11–13 pupils seeking that year's NCEA qualification. Discuss completed subjects, assessment timing and an appropriate joining year before assuming a mid-year transfer will produce the intended award.

St Margaret's uses its own Foundation Diploma in Year 11 to prepare pupils for NCEA Levels 2–3 or the IB Diploma in Years 12–13. Christ's College publishes a different school Diploma across Years 10–11, followed by NCEA in Years 12–13. These local school diplomas should not be confused with the IB Diploma or automatically relabelled NCEA Level 1. Compare the actual assessment and progression requirements at the child's next stage.

Sources: St Andrew's NCEA and entry timing · St Margaret's Foundation Diploma, NCEA and senior IB · Christ's College school Diploma and NCEA phases

Match the campus and the pupil's school phase

St Andrew's identifies its coeducational campus on Papanui Road in Strowan. St Margaret's gives Winchester Street, Merivale; its preschool welcomes both girls and boys, while the later school pathway described here is for girls. Christ's College is a boys' school on Rolleston Avenue with secondary Years 9–13. A preschool place therefore does not establish the same continuing pathway for every child.

For younger St Andrew's entrants, its preparatory page announces cohort entry from 2027: first-time pupils join on designated dates after turning five, rather than individually around the birthday. Ask for the date applying to the child and any transition arrangements. For older pupils, confirm the activity return and any boarding availability separately from the offered academic place.

Sources: St Andrew's coeducational Strowan campus · St Andrew's announced 2027 cohort entry · St Margaret's coeducational preschool · St Margaret's Foundation Diploma, NCEA and senior IB · Christ's College boys' Rolleston Avenue campus

Keep domestic, international and boarding budgets separate

St Andrew's 2026 fee page labels its published annual school tuition for New Zealand residents and directs international families to a separate quotation. St Margaret's 2026 international schedule separately identifies daygirl tuition, an acceptance payment, annual building contribution, sundry charges, an IB levy for Years 12–13 and boarding charges. These are different cohorts and cost components.

Request the applicable residency category and start-year schedule in writing. Compare tuition and compulsory annual charges first, then add accommodation, joining payments, uniform, activities and agreed support. Preschool attendance and funding arrangements also need their own calculation. A 2026 published schedule is dated evidence, not a promise of the following year's bill; confirm any 2027 offer and the student's exact terms before paying.

Sources: St Andrew's 2026 resident and international fee categories · St Margaret's published 2026 international fee PDF · St Margaret's coeducational preschool

Compare documented pathways and campuses

These are the pathways recorded for each included campus. Online provision appears separately. A senior qualification does not establish provision in younger years.

Parent questions about Christchurch schools