With so many different factors to consider, it's almost impossible to say which secondary school in Hamilton is the best.
Some parents may be looking for a competitive academic environment for their children where they're pushed to achieve the best results and head to university. Others may want a safe and supportive environment where children are allowed to experiment in their learning.
There's a lot to think about so in this article, we're looking at some of the secondary schools in Hamilton.
Secondary Schools in Hamilton
For secondary schools, we're looking at the schools that specifically teach children in years 7-13. Not all of these schools will cover all of these years, but they'll all cover some of them.
Generally, New Zealand classifies secondary schools by these years, but there are also secondary schools that cover years 9-13 (sometimes called high schools) or restricted composite schools that teach years 7-10.
Here are some of the schools in Hamilton and what they have going for them academically and otherwise.
Read about New Zealand's best schools.
Fairfield College
Fairfield College is a coed state secondary school covering years 9-13. In the most recent report on the school from the Education Review Office (ERO), the school was praised for its diversity and inclusion, its partnerships that provide future opportunities for its students, equitable access to learning opportunities for students, and a genuine partnership with mana whenua.
In terms of formal NCEA qualifications, however, Fairfield College tends to trail behind local and national averages when it comes to the percentage of students leaving with NCEA Level 1, 2, or 3 qualifications.
Fraser High School
Fraser High School is a mixed secondary school that teaches students in years 9 through 15 in Dinsdale, Hamilton.
The ERO reported that the school has several areas of good practice including the school-wide commitment to culturally responsive and mana-enhancing approaches.
The percentage of students leaving Fraser High School with at least NCEA Level 1 qualifications is closer to the national and regional averages than the higher levels, but all percentages are lower than elsewhere in the state and the country.
Hamilton Christian School
Hamilton Christian School is a composite school. This means it teaches students from primary, intermediate, and secondary school levels. In the case of Hamilton Christian School, this is years 1 through 13.
Hamilton Christian School is also a state-integrated school, a designation normally given to previously private schools that teach the New Zealand state curriculum while maintaining a special character, in this case, the school's religious denomination.
Remember that state and state-integrated schools follow the NZ school calendar while private schools' terms may differ.
With 50.0% of leavers in 2022 achieving an NCEA Level 3 qualification or above, the academic results for Hamilton Christian School are much closer to the national average (51.8%) than some of the other schools we've seen so far.
Learn about the best schools in Auckland.
Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a secondary school (years 9 to 13) and as you can guess from the name, it's a single-sex boys' school. It came into being when Hamilton High School split into boys' and girls' schools in 1955.
In the school's 2019 ERO report, it was praised for promoting a sense of unity and belonging within its diverse student roll of over 2,000 students, the largest secondary school in the Waikato region.
The report also highlighted the school's rich curriculum and a range of opportunities promoting students' well-being and engagement.
The academic results of Hamilton Boys' Schools for NCEA qualifications are above national, state, and secondary school (Year 9-13) averages.
Hamilton Girls' High School
Hamilton Girls' High is the corresponding girls' school and as we mentioned, was founded at the same time as the boys' school.
Much like the boys' school, Hamilton Girls' High School also caters to years 9 through 13 and it also performs above average in terms of the academic qualifications of its leavers.
ERO's 2020 report highlighted the school's culture and how it promotes students' languages, cultures, and identities while also providing extra support to those who need it.
Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School is a mixed-sex secondary school in Hamilton's Hillcrest suburb. The school teaches over 1,700 students across years 9 through 13.
Hillcrest High School's academic performance in terms of NCEA qualifications is about average, but the school's strengths include its continuous focus on improvement according to ERO.
St Paul's Collegiate School
St Paul's Collegiate School is the first of the secondary schools in and around Hamilton to feature on Crimson Education's "Top 50 New Zealand Schools 2023 For Gaining Entry to Top Universities".
Ranking 35th (down one place from 34th in 2022), the academic results of the school are still very good and way above the national and local averages.
The annual tuition fees at St Paul's Collegiate School for domestic students are NZ$25,910. The boarding fees are NZ$18,540 a year. St Paul's accepts both boarders and day students.
Discover the best secondary schools in Wellington.
St Peter's School, Cambridge
20km outside of Hamilton in Cambridge, St Peter's School, Cambridge, is a private coed Anglican secondary school.
The school also featured in the Crimson Education rankings in 2023, jumping up from 44th position in 2022 to an impressive 30th place in 2023.
The annual tuition fees at St Peter's Cambridge range between NZ$22,900 and NZ$28,400 according to the student's age with older students' fees higher than their younger counterparts.
Boarding fees for years 8 through 13 are NZ$18,975 per year.
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls was the highest-ranked school in Hamilton according to the Crimson Education rankings.
This state-integrated Anglican girls' school teaches both day students and boarders. It was first opened in 1909 and now teaches nearly 2,000 girls in years 9 through 13.
ERO praises the school for its strong special character and values while also showing a willingness to engage with te ao Māori.
According to the latest data, between 85% and 93.5% of leavers have an NCEA Level 3 qualification or above. This is way beyond the national average (between 52% and 60%) or even the average for state-integrated schools (between 71% and 77%).
Find out about Tauranga's best secondary schools.
Hamilton's Top Schools at a Glance
| School | Type | Years | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield College | State | 9-15 | Coed |
| Fraser High School | State | 9-15 | Coed |
| Hamilton Christian School | State-integrated | 1-13 | Coed |
| Hamilton Boys' High School | State | 9-13 | Boys |
| Hamilton Girls' High School | State | 9-13 | Girls |
| Hillcrest High School | State | 9-13 | Coed |
| St Paul's Collegiate School | Private | 9-13 | Boys (Years 9-13) Girls (Years 11-13) |
| St Peter's School, Cambridge | Private | 7-13 | Coed |
| Waikato Diocesan School for Girls | State-integrated | 9-13 | Girls |
Choosing the Right School
As you can see, there's a mix of different schools with both academic and non-academic strengths. Parents have a lot to think about when choosing a school for their child and as we mentioned earlier, academic results aren't the only consideration.
The same is true of elementary or primary schools, but in many cases, your choices may be limited by the area you live in and how the local schools accept students. State schools have to accept any student from the area they serve but if you want to send your child to a school whose catchment area isn't where you live, then your child may be rejected.
For state-integrated schools and private schools, acceptance may depend on several factors. For example, certain religious schools may prioritise students belonging to their particular faith or denomination.
Safety and security are also important concerns for parents so you'll want to be sure that your child will be protected from bullying and harassment and that a school does its utmost to protect its students.
Don't forget to talk to your child about their education and future, too. They may have some valid opinions on how they best learn and a school that might otherwise look good for their academic prospects mightn't be the right choice for them.
Learn more about the best schools in Christchurch.
Get Extra Help for Your Child with Private Tutoring
Schools can only do so much and in some cases, children may benefit from extra outside tuition. Whether a child is struggling in certain subjects are is just looking to get the best possible academic results, private tutoring can complement the right schooling.
On the Superprof website, private tutors can help with a range of subjects and skills. Your child can get help with subjects like maths and English or more general academic support like study skills for the NCEA exams, homework, help, etc.
You can find local tutors working in and around Hamilton but you can also broaden your search to include online tutors from across New Zealand and around the world. Naturally, it makes sense for NCEA qualifications to look for tutors who are familiar with the assessment format and the curriculum, but for more general academic assistance, you can look for tutors almost anywhere in the world.
Many of the tutors on the Superprof website offer their first session for free so why not try a few different ones out before you choose the one that's right for your child?
Browse their profiles, see what their other students had to say about them, and look for this all-important free first lesson!
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