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Takapuna Grammar School

New Zealand, Auckland

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2069
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP)
Taught languages English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 16
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Takapuna Grammar School is a co-educational state school on Auckland's North Shore, New Zealand, serving Years 9-13. Notably, it was the first state school in New Zealand to be approved to offer the IB qualification, alongside NCEA. The school motto is "Per Angusta Ad Augusta" (Through endeavour to greatness). Extensive extracurricular opportunities include sport, music, performing arts, co-curricular clubs, and service organizations. The school maintains a Houses system and offers learning support, special education, and e-learning options.

takapuna.school.nz

Auckland North Shore, New Zealand

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Takapuna Grammar School has 2,069 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
Takapuna Grammar is located on Auckland's North Shore, New Zealand.

Stages
The school serves students in Years 9 through 13, structured into Junior and Senior levels.

Type
Co-educational state school, notably the first state school in New Zealand approved to offer the IB qualification.

Additional learning support
Special Education is available.

Country affiliation
New Zealand
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Application / Administration fees

- NZD 625.00 per term is listed as an administration/additional fee for international students in published fee summaries used for 2026.

Tuition fees (by length / per term and per year)

- 1 term (approximately one school term): NZD 4,625.00.
- 2 terms (one semester): NZD 9,250.00.
- 3 terms: NZD 13,875.00.
- 4 terms (full academic year): NZD 18,500.00. The published tuition figures for 2026 fee materials and agent summaries show the same per-term breakdown above.

- Note: Tuition is presented as a per-term charge multiplied by the number of terms attended; the full-year total above is the sum for four terms. The published tuition is stated to include student ID, NZQA examination fee (where applicable) and most routine course materials.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Applications are processed through the international office and/or a registered education agent. A placement offer is issued after approval, then an invoice is raised; payment must be made to secure the placement and a receipt is issued once payment is received. Minimum placement is two terms (six months) for long-term international students.
- Notice and forfeiture rules: one term's written notice is required for withdrawal in many international enrolment conditions; if written notice is not provided within the required timeframe, the next term's tuition may be forfeited. If a visa is declined prior to arrival, tuition paid will generally be refunded (subject to any stated non-refundable administration fee). These refund and notice rules are part of the enrolment/contract conditions used for international placements.

Boarding (hosted accommodation) fees and arrangements

- Takapuna Grammar School operates as a day school (no on-site boarding hostel). International students are placed in approved homestay or private homestay accommodation rather than a school boarding house.
- Homestay weekly rates reported in international fee summaries and agent materials: commonly shown as NZD 380.00 per week (examples in 2026 summaries), with separate homestay placement/co-ordination fees where applicable. Homestay arrangements typically require advance payment.

Other costs and routine additional fees

- Homestay placement / homestay co-ordination fee: commonly listed (examples show amounts such as NZD 300.00–400.00 per year or a one-off placement fee).
- Government / NZQA levy and NZQA examination fees (Years 11–13 where applicable): charged in addition to tuition when students sit national assessments (NZQA fees shown in comparable school schedules; NZQA fees are usually billed separately as required). Tuition summaries indicate NZQA fees for senior years are included or listed as an additional charge depending on the schedule.
- Travel and medical insurance: typically required for the entire duration of study and shown as a separate cost (examples in 2026 fee materials show a travel & medical insurance charge around NZD 597.00–698.00 for 12 months).
- Uniform and stationery (first-year cost, approximate): examples show a one-off approximate cost in the range NZD 450.00–700.00 (uniform + stationery charged in the first year).
- General living expenses / disbursement account: many international schedules require an advance disbursement for incidental charges (example balances of NZD 2,000.00–2,400.00 are used by comparable international fee schedules). These cover trips, extracurricular charges, pocket money and other personal expenses and may be refundable or reconciled at year end.
- Subject-specific or programme costs: additional consumables or subject levies (for example arts, technology, outdoor education, IB-related delivery and exam costs) can be charged separately; IB delivery/exam fees or ManageBac/IB charges may apply for IB candidates.

Refund information (key points)

- If a student's visa application is declined prior to the start date and appropriate evidence is provided, tuition fees already paid are generally refundable subject to any stated non-refundable administration fee and the school's enrolment contract conditions.
- Withdrawal after arrival: the current term's fees are commonly forfeited; tuition paid for future terms may be refunded pro rata subject to the enrolment conditions and any administrative deductions. Refund requests must be submitted in writing with supporting documentation and bank details for payment.
- Termination for misconduct or breach of enrolment conditions typically carries no refund for the current term and may forfeit further fees as set out in the enrolment conditions.

Fee payment options and practical payment details

- Invoices for accepted international placements are issued to the student/agent; payment is required to confirm placement. A receipt is issued once payment is received. International payments are handled by the school via the invoicing process and through the student's registered agent where applicable.
- Payment is normally made into the school's bank account (telegraphic/bank transfer) as shown on invoices and on enrolment/contract paperwork; school and comparable New Zealand international programmes also accept or arrange payment via agents and may provide other options for card payment or electronic transfer on request. The enrolment/contract materials reference bank account details for refunds and invoicing.

Summary of typical 2026 international student cost components (examples shown)

- Tuition (full year, 4 terms): NZD 18,500.00 (NZD 4,625.00 per term).
- Administration / application fee: NZD 625.00 per term (examples in published fee summaries).
- Homestay: NZD 380.00 per week (homestay placement/co-ordination fee charged separately).
- Travel & medical insurance (12 months): commonly shown around NZD 597.00–698.00.
- Uniform & stationery (first year estimate): NZD 450.00–700.00.
- NZQA / examination fees for Years 11–13 where applicable (charged as required).

If you are preparing a database entry, use the tuition-per-term and tuition-per-year figures above (NZD 4,625.00 per term; NZD 18,500.00 per year) and list the recurring additional items: administration/application fee (example NZD 625.00 per term), homestay weekly rate (example NZD 380.00/week), travel & medical insurance (approx. NZD 597.00–698.00 per year), uniform & stationery (first-year estimate NZD 450.00–700.00), and potential NZQA/IB exam or subject levies.
Academics

Takapuna Grammar School teaches IB (DP) for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers both NCEA and the IB Diploma Programme. It was the first state school in New Zealand approved to offer the IB Diploma.

Higher Education Progression
Two qualification pathways support higher education: NCEA and the IB Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme provides University Entrance (UE). Takapuna Grammar School was the first public NZ school accredited to offer the Diploma Programme in 2013. NCEA is the official NZ secondary school qualification, recognised by employers and used for university and polytechnic selection.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
Online enrolment is available. International students are welcomed.

Scholarships
Takapuna Grammar School encourages eligible Year 12 and 13 students to sit New Zealand Scholarship examinations. Subjects offering Scholarship provide a challenging programme with workshops; most assessments are a three-hour written examination at year's end, with some subjects using portfolios or recorded performances assessed by external examiners. Awards include: Premier Award of $10,000 per year for up to three years (top 7–12 candidates who achieve three Scholarships at Outstanding level in the same year); Outstanding Scholar Award of $5,000 per year for up to three years (top 40–60 candidates with three Scholarships including at least two Outstanding or more than three Scholarships with at least one Outstanding); Scholarship Award of $2,000 per year for up to three years (three or more Scholarships or two Scholarships at Outstanding level in the same year); Top Subject Scholar Award of $2,000 per year for up to three years (top candidate in each Scholarship subject); Single Subject Awards of $500 per subject (up to two subjects, maximum $1,000). Eligibility requires New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, enrollment in tertiary study, maintaining a B average, and meeting criteria within one year. Nationally, NZQA data indicate about 3% of Year 13 candidates achieve Scholarship in a subject, with roughly 0.3% achieving Outstanding Scholarships.

Waitlist
Out-of-zone enrolments are determined through an annual selective ballot for students living outside the school zone. The Board confirms whether a 2026 Year 9 out-of-zone ballot will take place in June; applications open 1 July, close 27 August, and the ballot is held on 3 September for attendance in the following year. Priority under Ministry of Education guidelines goes to siblings of currently enrolled students, siblings of former students, children of former students, and children of board employees; all other applicants are considered after those with priority. Ballot results are communicated by email within a couple of days. In-zone enrolments proceed automatically once criteria are met and the student begins attendance.
School Events
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