High School Exchange in New Zealand - Preferred
Public Preferred New Zealand : Choose where you go
Why choose Public Preferred?
If you want more choice about the state school that you attend and where you will live in New Zealand, then the New Zealand Public Preferred program is for you. This program gives you the chance to choose the school that will meet your needs both educationally and personally. Whatever it is that you want from the school experience, we have the school that will fit your needs.
The Preferred program is more expensive than our classic exchange program, because fees are paid to the school for your enrolment and the host family is also paid to ensure that we can find a family close to your school. Our partner works with a number of different schools acrossNew Zealand, so ask us if you don’t see a school listed below that meets your preferences.
Benefits of the Preferred program:
- Choice! You choose a school based on your personal preferences.
- MyEducation can provide recommendations to help you choose the right school.
- Rolling admission – enrolments accepted January, April and July each year.
- Students with allergies to household pets and special dietary needs can be considered.
Below are some examples of the schools that we offer. If you would like to see a full list then please contact the office.
Please note that the preferred programme prices are subject to change.
Want choice at a lower fee?
We can now offer the option to attend a state school in New Zealand at a lower cost, with some choice available. On our Classic Preferred program, you can choose from a list of 3 schools and get guaranteed enrolment.
Public Preferred fees 2024 – 2025 || 4 terms from £19,895 || 3 terms from £16,535 || 2 terms from £12,995 || 1 term from £8,325 || Shorter program options available at select schools e.g Te Puke £7,815
* 2, 3 and 4 term fee includes orientation camp in Auckland
Kerikeri High School, Kerikeri
Kerikeri High School is a co-educational school with a strong academic record. The school is very proud of the achievements of their students. Students are encouraged through individual counseling to take courses appropriate to their abilities and their educational pathway. The school is located on a 9 hectare site with approximately half of this area devoted to sports fields. The sports that are offered at Kerikeri High School include Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Equestrian ODE, Dressage and Show Jumping, Football, Futsul, Golf, Hockey, Mountain Biking, Netball, Rugby, Softball, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball and Yachting. They encourage their students to get involved in the wider life of the school.
Special Programmes:
- Sailing Academy
- Mountain Bike Academy
- Horse Riding Academy
- Surfing Academy
Whangaporoa College, Auckland
Whangaparaoa College is a co-educational school which is located to the North of Auckland. Whangaparaoa is Maori for”Bay of Whales”. Pods of orca and dolphins can be regularly spotted in the peninsula waters. Whangaparaoa is a safe area surrounded by many beaches, parks, and reserves. It takes about 30 minutes by the motorway to get to the centre of Auckland City.
At Whangaparaoa College students will learn in one of the most modern schools in New Zealand. The school opened in 2005 on an environmentally aware site. All the buildings are in perfect condition and the facilities and technology used are leaders in New Zealand Education system. Computers are readily available and every student has access to the internet.
There are all the facilities of a large, modern well-equipped school. Dance, Drama, and Music are all part of the life at the college and many international students participate in these activities. The school is very spacious covering 19.5 hectares,with wide open spaces and large fields. It is close to the beach and classes will often walk to the beach for science or other lessons. Most students walk to school from home or use the inexpensive school bus.
Mount Roskill Grammar School, Auckland
Mount Roskill Grammar School is a co-educational school which is recognised both locally and nationally for providing education of
an outstanding quality to all its students. They have excellent programmes of learning and a willingness to evaluate and innovate. Their focus is on academic achievement for each student with flexible learning programmes designed to suit individual students needs and learning styles.
You could join one of the many co-curricular activities including Arts, Chess, Debating, Cultural Groups, Future Problem Solving, Music, Leadership, and Performing Arts. There are many sports available on offer here. All students are encouraged to participate in sporting and recreational activities from participation level through to elite players. You could choose one of many summer or winter sports including Athletics, Cricket, Cross Country, Dragon Boating, Tennis, Water Polo, Golf, Softball, Volleyball, Swimming, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Rugby, Snow Sports, Golf, Gymnastics or Table Tennis.
Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland
Mount Albert Grammar School is a semi co-educational state school with mainly boys in years 9 and 10. From years 11 to 13, the school is a mix of girls and boys.
The facilities at the school include a computer centre (with free access to e-mail and internet), excellent library, high qualityastronomical telescope, two gymnasiums with fitness centre, squash courts, playing fields, school farm and astro grass tennis/netball courts. A large aquatic centre is on campus, with two heated indoor swimming pools, two spa pools, steam room, sauna, pool shop, and food outlet complete the complex. Mount Albert Grammar is well known for its sporting excellence.
Mount Albert is approximately 7 kilometres to the Southwest of the city centre. There is easy public transport options available for students wishing to discover more of Auckland, both to the city centre and on to other areas of Auckland.
Cambridge High School, Cambridge
Cambridge High School is a co-educational school founded in 1883 and dedicated to providing the highest quality of education for its 1600 students. They have a highly trained teaching staff, modern facilities and high standards of discipline and behaviour. Cambridge High School has successfully hosted international students from around the world since 1989. Their dedicated and experienced international support staff ensure international students have a great experience while studying at school.
Cambridge is one of the few towns in New Zealand that boasts a star studded array of sporting stars of world acclaim in their events such as rowing, cycling, and horse riding. Cambridge is also home to the Avantidrome, a world class facility centered around a purpose built cycling velodrome.
Te Puke High School, Te Puke
Te Puke High School is a co-educational friendly, future focused school with approximately 1000 students. Te Puke High School places great importance on academic achievement. International students can choose their course of study from a wide range of of curriculum subjects. The school willdo the utmost to provide international students with an educational programme that meets their learning needs, including English language support, if required. In addition, international students are encouraged to get involved in the many sports and arts co-curricular activities on offer.
Te Puke, is located 20 minutes from the thriving sea-side city ofTauranga and 15 minutes from many beautiful white sand beaches. In addition to being close to stunning beaches, Te Puke is also famous for being the Kiwi fruit capital of the world. Somewhat of a horticultural hub in the Bay of Plenty, the Te Puke region is also home to over 1000 avocado orchards and Experience Comvita – a powerhouse in the manuka honey world.
8 WEEK PROGRAM AVAILABLE AT TE PUKE
Avonside Girls' High School, Christchurch
Established in 1928, Avonside Girls’ High School (AGHS) is known for its warm, caring and welcoming atmosphere and strong academic record. The school has a long and proud history in Christchurch. Established over 80 years ago, the school has developed a broad and innovative curriculum, high academic standards and a wide, interesting range of co-curricular activities.
With highly qualified and experienced staff, girls are encouraged to excel in a positive and focused learning environment. The school’s ability to be able to continue this tradition, after the disruption of the February 2011 earthquake, delights us. They have an exciting future in a newly built facility on a new campus which opened in Term 2, 2019.
The school is just 20 minutes from the city centre and shopping malls. There is a good bus system in the city and buses come to and from the school each day. From April 2019 the school has been co-located side by side with Shirley Boys’ High School on a custom built new campus. Both schools remain dedicated single sex schools with expertise in educating girls only and boys only but with opportunities for co-ed activities.
Mount Hutt College, Methven
Mount Hutt College is a co-educational Year 7-13 high school which is located in the town of Methven on the Canterbury Plains, just one hour travel by car south-west of Christchurch InternationalAirport. Mount Hutt College students are highly successful – in academic, cultural and sporting achievement.
With a multitude of sporting and cultural activities this district has on offer, whether it is in the outdoors – mountain biking, kayaking, playing golf, horseriding or ski-ing and snowboarding – or inside some of their great community facilities – playing badminton, swimming, going to a movie at the cinema, attending Scouts or St Johns, or joining drama or music groups – students will find interests that help themto make friends and become part of the Mount Hutt community.
A special feature of Mount Hutt College is its close location to NZ’s best ski field Mt Hutt (voted NZ’s best ski resort five years runningat the World Ski Awards). Mt Hutt provides skiing and snowboarding at all levels: from beginner to advanced. In Term 3 the school’s weekly Wednesday afternoon snow sports programme means students can ski and snowboard with their school friends. Easy access in the weekends and school holidays allows them to continue to learn as a beginner or enjoy more fun and challenge themself further if they already know how to ski and/or snowboard.
Cromwell College, Cromwell
Cromwell College is a welcoming school with around 500 students. The school offers a quality education in a friendly, family atmosphere. Here students will enjoy an authentic ‘Kiwi’ rural experience. Students at Cromwell College benefit from excellent modern facilities. Classrooms are fully equipped and single story with good computer access and a wide variety of courses. The school is nestled in park-like grounds which include a gymnasium and auditorium. Next to the school there is an all-weather hockey turf, 25m heated swimming pool, and an all-weather cricket wicket. Close by lies an Aquatics Centre for sailing and kayaking.
Cromwell College excels at outdoor sports courses being perfectly situated to offer a huge range of opportunities for different outdoor activities. This school will suit students looking for opportunities to experience the best of New Zealand’s outdoor environment in a small community. There are lots of opportunities for students to become involved in the life of the school, including outdoor pursuits, sports, music, drama, and other cultural events.