Diocesan School for Girls and Macleans College are both in Auckland, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer Bespoke programmes. Diocesan School for Girls also offers IB, and Macleans College also offers Cambridge (Secondary). Published annual fees are NZ$22,832 - 53,941 at Diocesan School for Girls and NZ$26,000 at Macleans College, which puts Diocesan School for Girls roughly 48% higher. Diocesan School for Girls takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Macleans College from 13 to 18. Macleans College is the larger school, with around 2,902 pupils to Diocesan School for Girls's 1,700.
The Diocesan School for Girls is located in Epsom, Auckland. The Clyde Street address places it in a residential suburb near the city fringe. Seven buses transport students from across Auckland to the school gates each day, with GPS-tracked routes and a pay-as-you-ride system using student IDs. The campus is accessible to a diverse families via these transport arrangements.
Location
2 Macleans Road, Bucklands Beach, Auckland 2014, New Zealand. The school is located in Bucklands Beach, Auckland. The International Department lists the address for the campus at this location. School buses are operated by Gobus; students pay their own bus fares. Public transport options are available for students as part of the Auckland Transport network.
Stages
Stages
Preschool to Year 13; Junior School Preschool - Year 6; Junior High School Years 7-10; Senior High School Years 11-13; Boarding Years 7-13.
Stages
Year 9–13 (secondary school)
School type
School type
Independent Anglican all-girls day and boarding school
School type
co-educational high school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
3,000+ students; Students come from 20+ countries, representing over 80 cultures.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
—
Additional learning support
Dedicated English language support (ESOL) for international students at all levels.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
New Zealand
Country affiliation
New Zealand
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Anglican
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
—
School day structure
The school day begins with an Early Warning Bell around 8:30, followed by Form Period, Assembly and five class periods with a mid-morning interval. Sit-down lunch occurs around midday, and lessons continue until 3:15 pm (Fridays end earlier at 2:45–3:15 pm depending on timetable).
Bus service details
Bus service details
Seven buses operate daily, transporting over 300 girls from across Auckland to the school gates. Buses are GPS-tracked, reach by 8am, and depart Dio at 3:40pm. Routes include Eastern, Grey Lynn/Herne Bay, Pt Chevalier/Herne Bay, Glendowie/St Heliers, Stonefields, Mt Roskill/Mt Eden, Helensville, Devonport Shuttle and other connections.
Bus service details
School buses are operated by Gobus; Gobus can be contacted at 09 257 7690. Students are responsible for paying their own bus fares.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Registration and Enrolment Fees - Registration fee: NZD 300.00 (all applications). This fee is non‑refundable. - Enrolment (acceptance) fee: NZD 1,750.00 (all year levels). This fee is additional to tuition and is non‑refundable.
Tuition fees by year group (2026 academic year amounts) - Foundation Class (Preschool): NZD 619.89 per week with ECE contribution; NZD 704.89 per week without ECE contribution. For four‑day attendance the published amounts are NZD 478.92 (with ECE) and NZD 563.92 (without ECE). - Junior School (Year 1–Year 6): NZD 26,786.00 per annum; billed as NZD 6,696.50 per term (quarter). - Junior High and Senior High (Year 7–Year 13): NZD 30,916.00 per annum; billed as NZD 7,729.00 per term (quarter). - Building levy (Foundation–Year 13): NZD 800.00 per annum; NZD 200.00 per term. This is charged in addition to tuition.
Course / subject fees (per student, where applicable) - Foundation Class: NZD 125.00 per year. - Junior School (Year 1–6): NZD 330.00 per year. - Year 7: NZD 335.00 per year. - Year 8: NZD 330.00 per year (additional NZD 40 for Art Pack if required). - Year 9: NZD 265.00 per year (some subjects such as Material Design, Food Design and Visual Arts carry additional costs). - Year 10: NZD 330.00 per year (additional subject costs apply for certain practical subjects). - Senior High (Years 11–13): Course fees vary by subject and options; individual senior option/course fees apply.
Boarding fees - Innes House boarding (Years 9–13): NZD 21,960.00 per annum; NZD 5,490.00 per term (quarter). Boarding is an additional charge to day tuition.
Other regular or likely costs (examples and how they are billed) - Incidental and activity charges: stationery, class trips, photographs, laptop charges, sports activities, outdoor education, specialist subject materials, and Parents & Friends Association subscriptions are charged in addition to tuition and are invoiced termly as required. - Uniform and clothing: items are sold through the school shop; typical item prices (guides) include examples such as a school blazer (around NZD 240), Dio hoodie (around NZD 85), house T‑shirt (around NZD 32), swimwear (from about NZD 75–85), and other items. Uniform prices are indicative and subject to change. Uniform purchases and any returns/exchanges are handled through the school shop. - Alumnae Association one‑off fee on entry: NZD 700.00 (non‑refundable).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing frequency options: quarterly billing (per term), annually in advance, or ten monthly instalments (automatic payments). Accounts are normally paid by direct debit/automatic payment. - Payment methods accepted: direct debit/automatic payment and internet banking (bank transfer). Credit cards and EFTPOS are not available for fee payments. The school provides bank account details for internet banking on account documentation. - Accounts are due on receipt of invoice. Parents are required to maintain current payment arrangements; unpaid accounts may incur collection costs or interest and may result in required withdrawal until fees are brought up to date.
Refunds and withdrawal notice (domestic and general rules) - Registration and enrolment (acceptance) fees are non‑refundable. - Notice of withdrawal: a minimum of one term's written notice to the Principal is required to withdraw a student; if proper notice is not given, one term's fees are payable in lieu of notice. Fees remain due even if a student is unable to attend at the start of term for any reason. The Board does not undertake to remit or refund fees in lieu of notice for illness, quarantine, or other causes. - Fee Protection Scheme: on payment of the first term's fees, a Fee Protection Scheme is included which, in cases of the death or terminal illness of a fee‑paying parent or guardian (subject to conditions and age limits), provides for payment of fees for the remainder of the student's education; this scheme does not cover incidental charges and does not apply to international students.
Refunds and cancellation rules for international students - International student refund entitlements and procedures differ and are governed by the school's International Student Fees Policy. Refunds for voluntary withdrawal, failure to obtain a visa, or cancellation by the school have specified timeframes and minimum tuition‑fee deductions (for example minimum ten weeks' tuition in some circumstances) and require written notice; detailed conditions and refund calculations are set out in the International Student Fees Policy.
Practical notes on invoicing and account administration - Invoices are issued for fees and additional termly incidental charges; the school expects payment arrangements (direct debit/automatic payment) to be in place. Only one invoice is issued per student; if a third party is nominated to pay fees, that person remains additionally responsible unless otherwise agreed. Unpaid accounts may be subject to collection action.
Summary of key headline amounts (NZD) - Registration fee: NZD 300.00 (non‑refundable). - Enrolment (acceptance) fee: NZD 1,750.00 (non‑refundable). - Junior School (Y1–Y6): NZD 26,786.00 per annum / NZD 6,696.50 per term. - Year 7–13 (day tuition): NZD 30,916.00 per annum / NZD 7,729.00 per term. - Boarding (Innes House): NZD 21,960.00 per annum / NZD 5,490.00 per term.
If you require a compact extract of just the numeric fee lines (for database fields) those figures above correspond to the school's published 2026 fee schedule and the international fee policy for international‑student refund rules.
Fee details
Application / Enrollment fees
- Enrolment Fee (new international student, non‑refundable): NZD 1,000. - Administration Fee (all international students): NZD 1,000.
Tuition fees (international students) — full details by academic year
- 2026 Annual tuition and core fee (single flat amount for international students): NZD 25,000 per year. - 2027 Annual tuition and core fee (single flat amount for international students): NZD 26,000 per year.
Note: the published fee schedule for international students is expressed as an annual school fee; a per‑term or per‑New Zealand school year‑level breakdown is not published in the fee schedule.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoicing is issued in advance of the school term or the academic year. Payments must be made by the due dates shown on invoices or charge notices. - Full or partial payments are accepted. Direct debit (weekly/fortnightly/monthly) payment plans are available and will be applied to outstanding amounts according to due dates on the student account.
Boarding / Accommodation fees (homestay and caregiver options)
- Homestay Placement Fee: NZD 500 (one‑off). - Homestay Fee 2026: NZD 380 per week (budgeted for 47 weeks = NZD 17,860). - Homestay Fee 2027: NZD 400 per week (budgeted for 47 weeks = NZD 18,800). - Homestay Change Fee: NZD 500. - Designated Caregiver (DCG) Placement Fee: NZD 1,000; DCG Change Fee: NZD 1,000. These options are listed where accommodation is arranged privately or via a caregiver.
Other required or commonly expected costs
- Insurance (student travel/medical insurance): NZD 675 for 2026; NZD 750 for 2027. - Miscellaneous expenses deposit (examples given: deposit for exam fees, extra‑curricular activity fees, textbook bond — refundable on sign‑out where applicable): NZD 1,000. - School uniform and shoes (typical cost indicated): NZD 800. - Stationery (typical cost indicated): NZD 400. - Subject‑related fees, field trips, external examination fees and personal spending are additional and depend on subject choices and activities. Estimated annual total ranges are provided for budgeting: students in homestay should budget approximately NZD 48,235–NZD 50,250 per year; students living with a Designated Caregiver should budget approximately NZD 30,875–NZD 31,950 per year.
Refund information
- Payments made for school‑related charges, voluntary donations, trips, sports, tournaments and registrations are generally non‑refundable. Where a refund is approved, it will first be credited against any outstanding amounts on the student's account. Refund inquiries for school charges are handled through the school's refund procedures (inquiries directed to the Teacher in Charge or the Accounts Office). - Specific published conditions for refund of international tuition (for example, refunds related to visa refusals or early withdrawal) are not detailed in the public fee schedule; families should consult the International Department or Accounts Office for the precise refund conditions that apply to a particular enrolment.
Fee payment options
- Preferred payment method: Parent Secure Portal (online), which accepts secure direct bank transfer (account‑to‑account) and credit card payments processed via the school's payment processor (Windcave). - Other accepted methods: direct bank deposit (include student ID/surname as reference) and direct debit arrangements. Internet banking details and further payment instructions are provided on the school's payment pages and on invoices.
Additional notes about published information and gaps
- The school's published international fee schedule gives annual flat tuition fees for international students (NZD 25,000 for 2026; NZD 26,000 for 2027) and detailed accommodation and ancillary charges, but it does not publish a per‑term or per‑New Zealand year‑level (Year 9–13) breakdown of tuition. Billing is stated to occur in advance of terms or the year, and payment methods and general refund handling are described, but detailed, itemised refund conditions for international tuition are not published in the publicly displayed fee pages. For exact invoice due dates, payment deadlines and any case‑specific refund conditions, the Accounts Office or International Department administers the student account.
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
Junior High School follows the New Zealand Curriculum; Senior High School offers two senior qualification pathways: the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). In 2025 Year 11 draws on Level 1 NCEA content and the NZ Curriculum to prepare for NCEA Levels 2 and 3 or the IB Diploma, providing a coherent pathway to either qualification.
Curriculum details
The school delivers a knowledge-rich curriculum with a wide range of subject choices and clear academic progression from junior to senior levels. Students develop strong subject knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and academic confidence and independence. The curriculum prepares students for success in both national and international qualifications. Senior students can follow flexible qualification pathways, including NCEA, NZQA Scholarship, Cambridge International Education (CIE) and Vocational pathways, allowing alignment with future goals. English language support (ESOL) is available for international students.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Junior High School has small class sizes with low teacher-to-student ratios.
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
In 2024, 98.3% of leavers attained NCEA Level 3 and 97.2% attained University Entrance.
Exam results
The school has a strong and consistent record of academic achievement. It reports consistently high NCEA achievement rates, strong NZQA Scholarship results, and outstanding Cambridge International results, including Top in the World and Top in New Zealand awards. Graduates are accepted into leading universities worldwide.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
100% university entrance in 2025; IB Diploma graduates continue their studies in New Zealand and overseas.
Higher education progression
The school regularly supports graduates to progress to leading universities in New Zealand and around the world. The Careers Department assists with subject selection and pathway planning, university applications and scholarship opportunities.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Gifted students have mentoring opportunities, including performance and composition programmes with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and dance and choreography workshops with the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Gifted and talented
The school offers a scholarship programme for high-achieving students, including NZQA Scholarship results. Music scholarships are available for instrumentalists Grade 6 or above. Cambridge International Education (CIE) pathways are available as part of flexible qualification routes.
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
1. Intake years and availability. Main intake years are Preschool, Year 0/1, Year 4, Year 7, Year 9 and Year 11. Availability to admit new students exists throughout the year if vacancies arise. Diocesan can accept students at other year levels when places are available. 2. Apply online and deadlines. Complete the online application form. The closing date for applications is approximately 18 months prior to the entry year; for 2028 intake, it closes on Friday 29 May 2026. The application requires a non-refundable NZ$300 fee and your daughter's NZ birth certificate or NZ passport, or current passport and visa, along with a recent photo and her latest school report. If there are educational assessments, upload these with the application. 3. Documentation and review. Around 18 months ahead of entry, the Admissions Team will request additional supporting documentation. When all requested documentation has been received it will be reviewed by the Senior Academic Team. Timelines depend on the closing date and the volume of applications. 4. Interview. Following the review of your daughter's application and supporting documentation you will be advised if your daughter has been selected for an interview. 5. Offer and enrolment. Students are offered a place formally in writing. You will have a week to accept. When you accept you will be asked to pay a non-refundable enrolment fee of NZ$1,750. This represents your commitment to accepting the place offered to you. 6. Start of process. If you haven't yet applied but are interested, contact Admissions to find out availability. Please read the Selection Criteria for Enrolment and the Terms & Conditions.
Admissions
—
Scholarships
Scholarships
Diocesan offers an internal scholarship programme that invests in current students by recognising high achievers. Consideration for a scholarship or bursary will also be given to a limited number of students who are new to Diocesan. Sports and Music scholarships are offered from Years 11-13 and will only be made available if there are places in these year levels. Diocesan Alumnae Association bursaries and Buchanan Foundation scholarship are available from Year 7. One Ko Tātou scholarship is offered to a Year 9 student, covering Years 9-13. Applications for 2027 scholarships and bursaries are now closed. Applications for 2028 scholarships and bursaries will open in January 2027. Scholarships at a glance: Sports and Music scholarships have a maximum value of 50% of the tuition fees. The Diocesan Alumnae Association Bursary was established for girls whose Mother or Grandmother is a Diocesan Alumna, with selection criteria including financial circumstances and the Dio Alumna's past involvement in the school, for up to 50% of tuition fees. The Ko Tātou Scholarship was established in 2022 to open the doorway for students to attend Diocesan who would not otherwise be able to. One scholarship is offered each year to a Year 9 student, covering Years 9-13. Scholarships for Boarding: 2028 will be available, with applications opening in 2027.
