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School Name

Scots College New Zealand

Category

Asia-Pacific Schools

Types

Pre-Prep to Senior School

Pupil type

Co-ed

Boarding-Day

Boarding

Day

Curriculums

NCEA

IB

Pupil age range

5-18

Location

Wellington

Scots College New Zealand

Focus

Creating all-round character

Day fees 2026

$13,400-$17,300

Boarding fees 2026

$29,100-$29,700

Term dates

  • Term 1: 27 January to 2 April 2026
  • Term 2: 20 April to 3 July 2026
  • Term 3: 27 July to 25 September 2026
  • Term 4: 12 October to 4 December 2026

Ages

5-18

Pupil count

1,147

Spear’s Review

Although proud of its history, including its traditional pipe band, Scots College is focused on the future and values international education, offering the IB programme all the way through, as well as the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). It was founded in 1916 and became fully co-educational in 2021.

The college motto is virtutem paret doctrina – ‘let education build all-round character’. The school is committed to exploring and developing student potential, both inside and outside the classroom, across academia, sport, culture, service and spirituality.

Scots College welcomes students from all religions and cultures; as a Presbyterian school it sustains strong relationships with the community and with the Presbyterian Church.

Academics

Students pursue an NCEA or an IB pathway in Years 12 and 13, and the school has a tradition of academic excellence with results ranked among the top nationally.

Head teacher

Graeme Yule has been the headmaster of Scots College New Zealand since joining in 2007. 

University and college destinations

Scots College New Zealand has a strong track record of preparing students for university both domestically and internationally. In recent years, a number of students have received offers to Australian universities, as well as US and UK schools such as the University of Chicago and Loughborough University.

Admissions

When considering applications, Scots College takes into account, among other factors, a student’s character; their academic, arts and sporting achievements; whether they have a family connection to the college; and length of time they have been pre-enrolled.

Accessibility

Wellington International Airport: 5 minutes

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s School Index.

Rank: Top 100

Top 100 Spear’s Schools Index 2026, Asia-Pacific Schools

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