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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.
Fees
Annual tuition at Rangitoto College ranges from NZD 22 to NZD 24 for 2026/27.
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.
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.
FAQs
Where is Rangitoto College located?
Rangitoto College is at 564 East Coast Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand, on Auckland's North Shore. The campus is purpose-built with extensive facilities to support a wide range of subjects and activities. Buses operate from the start of the school year, with full services available from January 29, 2025.
What is the age range and school type at Rangitoto College?
Rangitoto College is a co-educational secondary school for students aged 13 to 18, covering Years 9–13. It offers a dual-pathway curriculum that includes both NCEA and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB).
What curriculum pathways does Rangitoto College offer and what changed in 2024?
The school provides a dual-pathway curriculum that combines NCEA with the IB Diploma Programme. In 2024, Year 11 Diploma replaced NCEA Level 1, while the IB pathway continues to be a major route to tertiary study alongside NCEA.
What are the tuition fees for NCEA vs IB students?
For NCEA or short-term students, tuition is NZD 19,750 per four-term year (NZD 4,937.50 per 10-week term). For IB students, tuition is NZD 21,500 per four-term year (IB fees charged annually). An application/administration fee of NZD 2,750 per year also applies.
How does the application process work for international students?
To apply, you submit a completed enrolment form with a host family letter, subject preferences, and medical information; provide a passport copy and academic records; and apply online. If accepted, Rangitoto issues a Conditional Offer and invoice; after fees are paid, you receive a Receipt and a Confirmed Offer of Place to support the Student Visa application.
Are there scholarships or a waitlist for international applicants?
Rangitoto offers a Scholarship Programme as part of the curriculum, with enrichment and guidance for NZQA scholarships and study abroad. In 2025, the school reported 348 NZQA Scholarships awarded, including 42 at Outstanding. Specific waitlist information is not provided in the data.
How do the two academic pathways support students' tertiary study?
Students can pursue either the IB Diploma Programme or NCEA for senior years, with University Approved Subjects and extensive study support to help progression to NZ universities and prestigious universities abroad.
What are some notable academic outcomes (IB results, UE rate, scholarships)?
The IB programme reports a 95% pass rate, with 26% of the cohort attaining the Bilingual Diploma across seven language pairings and performance about 15% above the global IB average. The University Entrance (UE) rate is 80%. NZQA Scholarships reached 324 in 2024 and 348 in 2025, including 42 Outstanding.
What enrichment or gifted programs exist at Rangitoto?
The school offers Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) with enrichment and acceleration; in Year 12 there are more than 70 subjects and 26 Scholarship subjects in Year 13, supported by a Scholarship Programme and related guidance.
What are the standout campus facilities at Rangitoto College?
Key facilities include a well-stocked library with over 20,000 titles, a Millennium Institute with a 50-metre pool and on-site medical services, a 700-seat Auditorium, and a purpose-built Performing Arts venue. The campus also features modern subject blocks and extensive digital resources.
What sports facilities does the campus offer?
Sports facilities include an Olympic-standard water-based hockey turf, three gymnasiums with full-size courts, canopy-covered netball and tennis courts, indoor cricket nets with a professional bowling machine, and access to AUT Millennium tracks and facilities nearby.
What other academic and extracurricular facilities exist on campus?
Beyond classrooms, there are six specialist music suites, rehearsal studios, a dance studio, theatres, a recording studio, computer suite, and a range of science, technology, and arts spaces to support the diverse curriculum.
What clubs and activities does Rangitoto offer beyond the classroom?
Rangitoto runs around 30 sports, 50 performing arts activities, and 30 cultural/creative activities, including robotics, Esports, language clubs, and many service and cultural groups.
Are there leadership or service programs available?
Yes. There are leadership and service opportunities such as Duke of Edinburgh, UN Youth, Rangitoto Reporter, Law Club, Emerging Entrepreneurs and Business Club, and various debating and speaking groups.
What opportunities exist for competitions or external events?
Students can participate in events like the University of Auckland Stock Pitch Competition, EVolocity competitions, and a range of local and international exchange opportunities.
What wellbeing and support services are available at Rangitoto?
The Counselling Department provides confidential support for students at all year levels, with referrals to external agencies when needed, and a pluralistic approach to therapy guided by professional standards.
What learning support is available for SEN and EAL students?
The Learning Centre offers inclusive support for students with additional learning needs, while ESOL provides ten English courses aligned with NZ Curriculum and IB, with pathways to Level 2 NCEA English and the IB Diploma.
How is safeguarding handled at Rangitoto?
Rangitoto has a Child Protection Policy guiding safeguarding, staff checks, and reporting procedures for suspected abuse to social workers or police, with confidential handling and staff induction on child protection.
Is Rangitoto College a boarding school?
No. Rangitoto College does not offer boarding; international students live with host families in school-arranged homestays, with a designated caregiver option available if needed.
What about uniforms and campus food options?
All Year 9–12 students wear a school uniform available from the on-site shop; a second-hand uniform shop is open Fridays at lunch. On-campus, two tuckshops offer nutritious options and stay open from 8:00 am to 2:10 pm.
