Co-ed secondary schools
Wellington co-ed schools teach combined classes of boy and girl students, and have a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural activities as part of their curriculum
Find your place in Wellington
Watch our short video to see why international secondary school students have enjoyed studying in Wellington, New Zealand and found their place here.
Aotea College
Okowai Road, Aotea, Porirua
Aotea College is co-educational and caters for students from Years 9-13. They have a roll of over 1000 students, many of whom walk or cycle to school. Their diverse student population is a true reflection of NZ society. They are committed to maintaining an international programme on a scale which ensures personal care and support for each student.
With brand-new state of the art buildings that opened at the beginning of 2020, they are enjoying life in their modern and flexible learning environment that allows for a wide range of learning opportunities including specialist facilities for Art, Physical Education, Science, Technology and the Performing Arts.
Aotea College overlooks the beautiful Porirua harbour and is just 20 minutes from Wellington City. They’ve got a great lifestyle in Porirua with beaches, forests, and shopping all right on their doorstep. Porirua has over 100 km of tracks available for walkers, cyclists, and mountain bikers, 950 hectares of parks and reserves, 7 beaches and 12 hectares of shopping!
Heretaunga College
Ward Street, Upper Hutt, Wellington
Heretaunga College offers students the opportunity to learn in the best of New Zealand school facilities. The school offers the finest teachers committed to seeing their students achieve at the highest level. International students are encouraged to participate in other school activities like sports, music, drama or other school groups such as kapa haka, debating or dragon boating. Every student will have a buddy to be their guide and friend.
Their wide range of learning facilities includes their English Language Academy providing classes for students with little English and the willingness to learn. The School of Hospitality course provides a tertiary programme in a school setting. Students succeed very well in national cooking, catering, and coffee making competitions. Heretaunga College also runs a Golf Academy and Equestrian Programme to give students the opportunity to do an co-curriculum activity outside of the school with some school guidance.
Hutt Valley High School
84-114 Woburn Road , Lower Hutt, Wellington
Hutt Valley High School is a large co-educational state school with 1700 students in years 9-13 (ages 13 to 18). With more than 80 ethnicities, Hutt Valley High School is truly a multi-cultural community.
Just a 20 minute drive from Wellington, the sprawling and vibrant Hutt Valley High School offers classic academic subjects, allowing students to choose from a range of options in languages, sports, technology, art and music. There are also many extra-curricular activities and groups students can join.
The integration of international students from all over the world is important to the school, and students will quickly feel at home. Each student is assigned a carefully selected school buddy and the school's international team is always available to help. The school strives to be kind and welcoming, diverse and inclusive.
Hutt Valley High School provides a quality education that ensures that every student has the best possible chance to develop their strengths and talents and to achieve success in a way that provides them with a purposeful and rewarding future life. Students are supported in achieving the academic qualifications needed to gain entrance to New Zealand or overseas universities.
Kāpiti College
Margaret Road, Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu
Kāpiti College is a state co-ed school with a roll of 1500 boys and girls. The college hosts international students from many countries and has sister schools in Sweden, China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. It hosts short-term groups and sends groups of Kiwi students overseas. Kāpiti College is truly an international school with more than 25 years’ experience with its international programme.
Kāpiti College takes pride in the academic success of its students whose national exam results are among the highest in Wellington. Many graduates have gone on to have stellar careers in the sciences, technology, arts, and business. With its $12 million performing arts centre, students can take dance, music, drama, and film making as academic subjects. The school also has academies like aviation, golf, swimming, and equestrian.
Kāpiti is a resort town with a beautiful environment close to the sea and a short drive away from the capital city of Wellington.
Kuranui College
East Street, Greytown
Kuranui College has a clearly defined community - the Southern Wairarapa. Their students (years 9 to 13) come from a variety of different backgrounds, both rural and urban, making their community diverse and vibrant. The co-educational college offers the warmth, encouragement and intimacy of a small school whilst being able to implement some of the most innovative teaching ideas in New Zealand. The school offers places to international students from all over the world. They value other cultures and the multi-cultural perspective international students bring to the school and the Wairarapa community.
Newlands College
68 Bracken Road , Paparangi
Newlands College is a state, co-educational, secondary school situated in the capital city of Wellington. They provide an excellent education for students throughout years 9 to 13 (aged 13 to 18). Students are encouraged to build on their individual strengths and interests and are offered an extensive range of music, drama and sporting opportunities underpinned by a strong culture of pastoral care and guidance.
Students consistently achieve high standards at all levels of NCEA and are provided with an excellent foundation for tertiary study. International students over a number of years have gained entry into their chosen tertiary institution and have been recipients of numerous scholarships.
Onslow College
Burma Road, Johnsonville
Onslow College is a co-educational state secondary school for students in years 9 to 13 (aged 13 to 18). It's situated 20 minutes by train or bus from the city centre. The school has a strong tradition of academic education within a student-centred philosophy. Students are taught to be independent learners and do not wear a uniform.
Onslow College has excellent cultural and sports facilities and academic results are well above the national average. They offer a wide range of subjects including Media Studies, Art Photography, Earth and Space Science as well as additional courses in Outdoor Education, Cafe Cuisine, and Sewing for beginners. The school is known for its strengths in the Sciences, Mathematics, Digital Technology, Fashion and Design, and Social Sciences. Students can learn a variety of different languages: Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Maori as well as high-quality English language courses at all levels. Students who have English language needs are supported by in-class subject support from Years 9 to 11. There is also support classes each week for senior Mathematics and Year 11 Science.
Ōtaki College
233 Mill Road, Otaki
Ōtaki is a beautiful town, just one-hour's drive from Wellington and Palmerston North. Ōtaki College is a school committed to meeting the needs of the community. Graduates continue to achieve in a variety of areas. They believe this success is based on many factors unique to their school. Many senior classes contain fewer than 9 students allowing extra contact with teachers. The College offers many opportunities for overseas students to participate in cultural, sporting and language activities. In this way, the language comes alive for them and they also get to know about New Zealand customs. Homestays are carefully selected and have close links with the community.
Paraparaumu College
151 Mazengarb Road, Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu College is a caring community of great learners based in Paraparaumu on Wellington’s Kāpiti Coast. The co-educational secondary school caters to students from years 9-13 (ages 13-18).
Aspiring to be collaborative and active learners, respectful in relationships with others, and effective self-managers, the "PC way" places emphasis on personalising learning around student interest and need.
A variety of subjects including art, photography, textiles, hospitality and catering, outdoor education, sports leadership, and music are available.
Paraparaumu College has a strong record of student academic achievement and success in sports and the performing arts.
Students live near the beach and college with caring homestay families. A dedicated team of international staff is committed to ongoing care and support for each international student.
Scots College
1 Monorgan Road, Strathmore Park , Wellington
Scots College is a co-educational, independent day and boarding school from Years 1-13 (ages 5 to 18). Located a short 20-minute drive from the Wellington CBD, the campus offers state of the art, modern facilities. The school is well-positioned to provide world-class education and promote an international outlook which allows students to contribute as global citizens. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Scots College delivers the IB Primary and Middle Years Programmes with a dual qualification pathway for Senior Students of the IB Diploma Programme or NCEA. The curriculum is viewed holistically and students are encouraged to extend their academic study through cultural, sporting and service commitments. Preparing students for competitive universities and career pathways.
International students who enrol at Scots College are looked after from the moment they arrive in the country. Scots College has a team of dedicated staff to ensure students settle into life in New Zealand.
Tawa College
38 Duncan Street, Tawa, Wellington
Tawa College is a co-educational state secondary school of around 1450 students in years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18). The 100 teaching staff and 45 support staff aim to develop quality all-round students. Due to its size, a broad curriculum is offered including a wide range of academic subjects and sporting endeavours. The Arts, in particular Music, is a real strength of the school.
Tawa College welcomes enrolments from international students. This is limited to 40 students to encourage these students to integrate fully into the wider school community. Kind, supportive host families from the community provide homestays which are usually within walking distance of the College, but bus and train services are also available.
Upper Hutt College
Moonshine Road, Trentham, Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt College, located north of Wellington City, is a co-educational, state secondary school for years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18). It is a school with a tradition of excellence in academic, sport, and cultural activities as well as in the performing arts. A number of different learning career pathways are available to suit the goals of all international students. Whether this is to gain an academic qualification, learn English or experience a different culture.
International students are an important and valued aspect of our school culture. All students will have a "kiwi buddy" who will introduce them to the school and our host families are carefully selected to ensure students are placed in loving and caring home environments.
Wainuiomata High School
Parkway, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt
Wainuiomata High School is a state co-educational secondary school for students in years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18) that is committed to providing students with high-quality, individualised education. They are an achievement-oriented school that sets, expects and maintains high standards. International students at Wainuiomata High School can expect to be supported throughout their time with the school. A dedicated team of international staff, ESOL classes and quality homestays ensure all needs of international students are met. There is a wide range of subjects to choose from in order to gain University Entrance or to have a fulfilling New Zealand school experience.
Wellington High School
249 Taranaki Street, Mount Cook, Wellington
Established in 1886, Wellington High School is a non-uniformed, co-educational state school in central Wellington with a roll of 1400. The well-established international programme caters for 70+ students from Year 9 - 13 (ages 13 - 18). Liberal and forward thinking, the school is well known for its innovative curriculum and student management approach. High expectations and inspiring, collaborative classrooms promote resilience and learners who are passionate about making the world a better place.
The extensive curriculum has particular strengths in technology, art and design, science and outdoor education. The large English Language department provides classes for all levels. Students are encouraged to get involved in a wide choice of co-curricular cultural and sporting activities where they can become part of the school community.
Students are housed with longstanding, caring homestay families and the International staff provide a welcoming and supportive hub for students from more than 16 countries, who attend the school from one term to five years.