ACG Strathallan vs Auckland Grammar School

	A ACG Strathallan Auckland, New Zealand	A Auckland Grammar School Auckland, New Zealand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year NZ$24,420 - 29,300	Fees / year NZ$26,250
Age range	Age range 0 - 18 years	Age range 13 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Boys School, Boys School (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,018	Pupils 2,800
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1869
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Nestled on the scenic Hingaia Peninsula in Karaka, Auckland, on a 15-hectare campus beside a tidal inlet. The campus provides Preschool through Year 13 learning across three stages—Early Learning, Primary, and College. It is five minutes from the Southern Motorway and within easy reach of Auckland's Eastern Suburbs and CBD. Address: 50 Hayfield Way, Karaka, Auckland 2113, New Zealand.	Location Auckland Grammar School is located on Mountain Road in Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand. It sits on the northern slopes of Mt Eden in the central Auckland area, near Newmarket. The street address is Mountain Road, Epsom (Auckland 1023). The postal address is Auckland Grammar School, Private Bag 99930, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand.
Stages	Stages Three stages: Early Learning (Preschool), Primary (Years 1–6), and College (Years 7–13). Each stage has its own dedicated area.	Stages Year 9–13 (Form 3–7)
School type	School type independent school	School type State secondary school for boys with boarding facilities (hostel accommodation available for selected students)
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix International students represent approximately 5% of the annual School roll and come from over 20 countries.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning support is available for Preschool, Primary and College, including access to special education professionals (speech-language therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists) and external counselling. The Literacy Support Programme and Intensive English Programme support language and literacy development for non-native speakers.	Additional learning support Learning Support Department provides differentiated support within mainstream classrooms and small-group tuition in literacy and numeracy. The department coordinates Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) for examinations and supports students with learning needs through targeted programs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation New Zealand	Country affiliation New Zealand
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure 7-period day with a 9:00am assembly and a 3:15pm finish for most students. On Tuesdays Form 5 students have an 8-period day finishing at 3:30pm, while other year levels finish at 2:50pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details A safe and reliable private bus service operates five days a week with multiple routes across South and East Auckland; bus fares are charged per term and current routes can be provided by the school.	Bus service details Auckland Transport provides a regular school bus service that begins after school daily around 3:20pm.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Application fee: NZD 200 (non‑refundable). - Enrolment Acceptance Fee: NZD 1,200 to reserve a place for Years 1–10; NZD 600 for new enrolments into Years 11–13. - The school does not charge a building development levy or bond. Domestic tuition fees (day students) — published 2026 schedule Years 1–6: - Annual (lump sum): NZD 24,420 per year. - Three instalments: NZD 8,210 per instalment (NZD 24,630 total per year). - Nine monthly instalments: NZD 2,789 per month (NZD 25,101 total per year). Years 7–10: - Annual (lump sum): NZD 28,170 per year. - Three instalments: NZD 9,470 per instalment (NZD 28,410 total per year). - Nine monthly instalments: NZD 3,217 per month (NZD 28,953 total per year). Years 11–13: - Annual (lump sum): NZD 29,300 per year. - Three instalments: NZD 9,852 per instalment (NZD 29,556 total per year). - Nine monthly instalments: NZD 3,346 per month (NZD 30,114 total per year). (All domestic fees are quoted in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of GST.) International student fees and charges - International tuition (annual): Years 1–6 NZD 32,470; Years 7–13 NZD 39,700. - Annual administration fee (international): NZD 1,260. - Registration fee (one‑off): NZD 420. - Additional international charges that may apply include homestay placement and weekly homestay retainer fees, airport transfer charges, medical/insurance charges and the New Zealand Government Export Education Levy; these accommodation and ancillary charges are billed separately to tuition. Boarding / Accommodation - ACG Strathallan does not operate on‑site boarding houses; international accommodation is arranged through homestay providers. Homestay costs are charged separately to tuition and are typically in the range of approximately NZD 305–325 per week for a Regular Homestay and approximately NZD 340–360 per week for a Homestay Plus option (rates vary by location and season). Billing schedule and payment terms - Families may choose to pay tuition as a single annual (lump‑sum) payment, in three instalments, or in nine monthly instalments; the school issues invoices showing the chosen payment plan. - Published payment timing examples used in prior fee schedules require a full lump sum by mid‑January for the discounted annual payment, or three instalments with due dates in mid‑January, mid‑April and mid‑July for the three‑instalment plan. Nine‑instalment plans are structured as monthly payments. All tuition is payable in advance or by the invoiced instalment schedule. - Credit card payments are accepted but are subject to a surcharge; international fee schedules show a 2% credit‑card surcharge and provide bank transfer details for electronic payment. Payment instructions and the bank account details are provided with the school's invoice/request for payment. Other costs and commonly billed extras - Uniform, school stationery, camps, subject / examination charges and some co‑curricular activities are additional to tuition and are billed as required. - Homestay placement fee and weekly homestay retainer fees apply to international students living in homestay accommodation; airport transfer, change‑of‑homestay and similar service fees may also apply. Sample items include accommodation placement fee and airport transfer charges. Refunds and withdrawal notice - All tuition fees are payable in advance. No refunds will be made except at the discretion of the school's Board of Directors or as set out in the school's published policies. - A minimum of one term's written notice of cancellation or withdrawal is required; failure to provide the required notice may result in fees being charged for the notice period. - For international students who pay an annual tuition fee in advance and later obtain New Zealand permanent residency, a refund of the difference in fees may be applied where evidence is provided to the Registrar before the Ministry of Education return deadline (as specified in international enrolment policy). Fee payment options - Bank transfer (international telegraphic transfers accepted to the school's bank account in New Zealand) is a standard payment method; bank account and SWIFT details are provided with the offer/invoice. - Credit card payments are accepted where permitted, subject to a surcharge (example: 2% on credit‑card payments noted for ACG Schools). - Fees may also be payable in New Zealand dollars or (for international students) US dollars where arranged in the school's invoicing. Specific payment methods and any transaction surcharges are listed on the school's invoice and payment form. Notes on administration of fees - The one‑off acceptance/registration and application fees listed above are charged at application and at confirmation of place respectively and are non‑refundable unless the school's policies state otherwise. - Where additional services (homestay, insurance, transfers, special programmes) are required, those charges are invoiced separately and must be paid according to the invoice terms.	Fee details Application fees - Tibbs House (boarding) application fee: NZD 50 payable when the Tibbs House application form is submitted. - International student administration fees: New student administration fee (non‑refundable) NZD 1,000; returning student administration fee (non‑refundable) NZD 700. Tuition fees by year group and per term - Domestic (New Zealand/Australian resident) students: there is no tuition charge for domestic students; domestic students are charged for external examination entries only where applicable and asked to pay voluntary school donations and specific course charges. - International students (all year levels/Forms 3–7): tuition fee NZD 26,250 per year. For budgeting, this equates to NZD 6,562.50 per school term (annual tuition divided across four terms). Billing schedule and payment terms - International students receive an Offer of a Place accompanied by an invoice for the annual tuition and any living costs. Fees stated on the Offer must be paid in full to accept the Offer and secure the Confirmation of a Place required for visa purposes. The Offer remains valid for the period stated on the Offer. - Tibbs House boarding: when an offer of a boarding place is made a deposit (amount set by Tibbs House) must be paid to confirm the place; this deposit is non‑refundable and must be paid within four weeks of the offer. The published annual boarding fee is invoiced in accordance with Tibbs House acceptance terms. - Domestic charges and voluntary payments (donation, Pre‑Q donation, exam-related charges) are invoiced through the School's usual finance process and may be collected by periodic invoices, Parent Portal billing, or at time of event/course registration as appropriate. Parents are encouraged to use the Parent Portal for payments and invoicing. Boarding and accommodation fees - Tibbs House annual boarding fee: NZD 19,500 (published boarding fee). - Homestay for international students (where applicable): NZD 440 per week (NZD 20,240 based on 46 weeks). Homestay placement and monitoring fee NZD 450 per year; homestay change administration fee NZD 350 per change; homestay holding fee for Christmas closure NZD 350 where applicable; residential monitoring fee (Agent Homestay/Designated Caregiver/Live with Parent) NZD 400 per household. Other fixed and variable costs - School uniform (by Form): Form 3 uniform NZD 673; Form 4 uniform NZD 648; Form 5–7 uniform NZD 613. Stationery and art pack (Form 3) NZD 60 (subject dependent). - Extracurricular activity fee (refundable if unused): NZD 200. School camp fee (Form 4): NZD 695. - Travel and medical insurance for international students (external provider): NZD 633 per year. Additional stationery and specific uniform items: NZD 100–210 depending on subject. Extracurricular activity costs vary (examples given by the School range NZD 20 up to NZD 4,000 depending on activity). - External examination fees: NCEA standard examination fee NZD 383.30 per year (where applicable); Cambridge AS/A2 examination fees are charged per subject (example figure shown NZD 210.50 per subject) — domestic students are not invoiced for NCEA external entry in the same way as international students. - Voluntary School donation: published School donation for 2026 is NZD 1,825 (paid by many families to support additional school services and staff). The School accepts donations and other voluntary contributions via the standard payment methods. Refund information and fees protection - International tuition: there is generally no refund of tuition fees except in very exceptional circumstances. If withdrawal occurs prior to arrival in New Zealand, fees paid will be refunded in full minus a NZD 1,000 administration fee. Once a student has arrived and commenced study, no refund is made except where the student is required to return home due to serious illness or the bereavement of an immediate family member; in such cases refunds are calculated according to the Board's procedures addressing costs already incurred. No refunds are made for dismissal due to misconduct, poor attendance, poor performance, withdrawal to transfer schools, visa cancellation, or if the student becomes a permanent resident after enrolment. The School operates a fees protection procedure for international fees paid in advance. - Homestay fees: homestay fees are refundable in proportion to unused weeks, less two weeks' written notice and less placement/monitoring fees and any other prescribed fees. Fee payment options - Parent Portal (online billing and payments) is the School's preferred channel for many routine payments and invoicing. Additional accepted payment methods include: - Cash, credit card or EFTPOS at the School Finance Office. - Internet banking to the School account (example banking reference used by the School: 12-3011-0156506-00 with instructions to reference the student's name and form class). Cheques may be sent to Auckland Grammar School (Private Bag address) where required. Notes on scholarships and fee variations - Tibbs House offers a small number of boarding scholarships (full or partial) that reduce or cover boarding fees for selected recipients; scholarship availability and application conditions are published by the School. Boarding fees and other charges are reviewed annually and may change in subsequent years.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Cambridge International programmes form the core curriculum from Primary through College, with some inspiration from the New Zealand NCEA from Primary level onwards. The Cambridge core curriculum supports Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels and aims to develop an international mindset and qualifications that open university opportunities worldwide. From Early Learning to College, teachers bring out each student's abilities, and the school emphasizes creative and critical thinking, a positive work ethic and a love of learning that prepares students for global study. Learning is supported by extensive sports, arts and technology programmes and modern facilities that enhance the academic experience.	Curriculum details Auckland Grammar School offers a dual qualifications pathway with the New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and Cambridge International Examinations (AS and A Levels). From Form 6 onwards, students choose either Cambridge or NCEA as a coherent two-year programme leading to Form 7 examinations and University Entrance. Form 5 introduces the Pre-Q programme to bridge the move to senior Cambridge AS Level and NZQA Level 2 courses. Full details of the pathways, progression criteria, subject options and University Entrance are contained in the Course Handbook issued annually. Languages offered include French, Japanese, Spanish and Te Reo Māori. The school operates a seven-period day (eight periods on Tuesdays) and uses GrammarNet as its learning management system; School Examinations are held three times a year to classify students into appropriate classes.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results ACG Strathallan reports a 100% pass rate in Cambridge International examinations for the eighth consecutive year, with a significant proportion of work earning A* or A grades and Cambridge Awards including Top in the World. The school highlights Top in the World recognitions and strong performance across subjects, reflecting its Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level outcomes.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression 90% of ACG Strathallan students are accepted to their first-choice university in New Zealand and abroad, reflecting strong university admissions support and connection to top international universities.	Higher education progression University Entrance is the minimum standard for entry to New Zealand universities and can be gained through either the Cambridge or the NCEA pathway. Admission to many university courses, particularly restricted-entry programmes, depends on achieving higher grades and meeting subject requirements as detailed in the Course Handbook.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented New Zealand Scholarships are available for Auckland Grammar School students, with a wide range of options to support tertiary study. Careers and Counselling staff assist students with scholarship questions and applications.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Applications are submitted online via the admissions pages. Mid-year starts are welcome and accepted at any time, but spaces are limited. After the application is received, families are invited to an interview with the Principal to discuss needs and fit. An Offer Letter is issued after assessing the application; a level of English fluency is required to understand classroom instruction, with ESOL support available for students whose first language is not English. The result of the application is notified within seven days of the interview. If a place is offered, acceptance must be confirmed in writing and the acceptance fee paid.	Admissions International student admissions follow a six-step process. 1) Complete the Application Form. The form is submitted through the online system (enroller.app). An application is a prerequisite for admission but not a guarantee of admission, and the school acknowledges receipt after submission. 2) Attend an Admission Interview. The interview is conducted via WeChat, Zoom, Skype or in‑person and lasts about 15 minutes; it is an opportunity to learn more about the applicant's interests and goals, and for parents to ask questions. 3) Receive an Offer of Place. The Offer specifies the year level and the start and end dates of enrolment and includes the International Student Tuition Agreement and other relevant policies. 4) Accept the Offer. Tuition and homestay fees are paid to the School; the Tuition Agreement, Code of Conduct, Statement of Designated Caregiver Arrangements/ or Homestay Contract, ICT Acceptable Use Policy and Health Record are signed and returned to acknowledge acceptance. 5) Apply for a Student Visa. The student or their representative must apply online for a New Zealand student visa and ensure a valid visa before enrolment. 6) Attend Orientation. The student attends Orientation as part of the enrolment process.
Scholarships	Scholarships ACG Strathallan provides scholarships to new students in Years 7 to 13 (11 to 18 years old) in Academic, Sports and Performing Arts (Music and Drama). Scholarships cover part of tuition fees and are awarded for ability, work ethic and performance. 2027 Scholarship Application Dates: Closing Date Thursday 2 April 2026; Interviews for 2027 in Term 1 and Term 2 2026. Scholarships have a maximum value of up to 20% of tuition fees. An online admissions application must accompany scholarship applications, and a full student CV is required. Performing Arts scholarships require a link to a 3–5 minute video; applicants should demonstrate leadership, commitment and communication and be active in the co-curricular life of the school; scholarships are subject to annual review and may be withdrawn for unsatisfactory performance. The ACG Founders Scholarship honours the founders of ACG; since 2018, one scholarship has been awarded annually to a current student planning to start a university course the following year, and it may be held with other awards. Sibling Scholarships apply to large families; if four children attend simultaneously, the youngest may receive a full tuition scholarship; a scholarship of 25% of total fees may be awarded to families with five or more children. Nsouli Scholars Programme enables up to 50 students at Inspired schools to attend on full scholarship at any one time, including Lebanese-origin recipients.	Scholarships Auckland Grammar School offers four Tibbs House boarding scholarships: Cooper-Connell Boarding Scholarship (for applicants outside the Grammar zone; half boarding at Tibbs House for up to five years, renewable). Sir John Buchanan Boarding Scholarship (for Year 8 entrants; full five-year boarding). Sports Scholarship (for an outstanding sportsman; full or partial Tibbs House boarding). ASAP Finance Pathway Scholarship (for applicants outside the zone with financial hardship and leadership potential; scholarship applications must be posted as a hardcopy form; note that the ASAP Pathway Scholarship is closed for 2027).
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Out-of-zone places are allocated by priority groups and then by ballot when there are more applicants than places. The School publishes the likely number of out-of-zone places and the ballot dates each year. In the 2027 Out-of-Zone ballot held on 9 September 2026, all Form 3 priority applicants were offered places; Form 4–7 priority applicants were placed on waitlists, and the School will contact waitlist applicants directly if places become available.
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