2025 New Zealand Education Hall of Frame TOP 50

In a SHOCKING exposé that will leave parents gasping and students reeling, we’ve got the unfiltered TRUTH about New Zealand’s secondary schools! From the high-flying elites to the bottom-of-the-barrel stragglers, here’s the definitive list of the top 50 secondary schools, ranked from best to worst. This is no dry report—it’s a jaw-dropping revelation of the stark divide tearing through our education system. While some schools bask in glory, others wallow in mediocrity. Is this the future we want for our kids? Read on and decide for yourself!

The Rankings: Best to Worst

  1. Hutt International Boys' School
    Upper Hutt’s crown jewel, oozing ivy-league vibes. But is it too posh for the everyday Kiwi?
  2. Baradene College
    Auckland’s Catholic queen, churning out top-notch girls. Yet, whispers of snobbery swirl—are they above us all?
  3. Wellington Girls' College
    Thorndon’s golden child, steeped in tradition and triumph. Critics say it’s stuck in a time warp—time for a wake-up call?
  4. St Oran's College
    Lower Hutt’s little diamond, shining bright. But does its tiny size mean it’s missing the big picture?
  5. Carmel College
  6. Milford’s Catholic star, molding perfect girls. Too perfect, maybe—cut off from the real world?
  7. St Peter's College (Epsom)
    Discipline rules at this Auckland boys’ fortress. Too tough for some, just right for others.
  8. St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
    Ponsonby’s pride, rooted in old-school values. But is it stuck there?
  9. Auckland Grammar School
    The boys’ education kingpin, with an old boys’ club to match. School or secret society?
  10. Rosmini College
    Takapuna’s Catholic standout, ace in academics but dull in diversity. A one-note wonder?
  11. Macleans College
    Bucklands Beach’s co-ed giant—too big to care about the little guy?
  12. Waikato Diocesan School For Girls
    Hamilton’s rural royalty for girls. Charming, sure—but out of touch?
  13. Sancta Maria College
    Howick’s hotshot, desperate to impress. Overcompensating much?
  14. St Hilda's Collegiate
    Dunedin’s quaint Anglican gem. Too cute for the cutthroat modern world?
  15. John McGlashan College
    Dunedin’s Scottish-flavored boys’ school. Tradition’s great, but is it yesterday’s news?
  16. Glendowie College
    Auckland’s eastern suburbs’ sleeper hit. Overrated or underrated?
  17. Onslow College
    Wellington’s artsy rebel. Too woke for its own good?
  18. Sacred Heart College (Auckland)
    Glendowie’s sporty Catholic boys’ school. All brawn, no brain?
  19. Takapuna Grammar School
    North Shore’s co-ed veteran. Has it peaked too soon?
  20. Woodford House
    Havelock North’s pastoral girls’ retreat. Lovely, but lost in the countryside?
  21. Iona College
    Another Havelock North starlet. Small-town charm, small-town limits?
  22. Lindisfarne College
    Hastings’ rural boys’ haven. Strong morals, weak variety.
  23. Rangitoto College
    Auckland’s mega-school. Bigger isn’t always better—has it lost its spark?
  24. Westlake Boys High School
    Takapuna’s academic machine. Where’s the creativity?
  25. Marist College
    Mt Albert’s Catholic girls’ school. Steady, but stuck in neutral.
  26. Epsom Girls Grammar School
    Auckland’s girls’ powerhouse. Living off past hype?
  27. Aquinas College
    Tauranga’s Catholic co-ed climber. Still finding its footing.
  28. Wellington High School and Com Ed Centre
    Wellington’s quirky outlier. Too oddball to win?
  29. Westlake Girls' High School
    Takapuna’s sporty girls’ school. All muscle, no muse?
  30. St Matthew's Collegiate (Masterton)
    Masterton’s pint-sized girls’ champ. Small fish, big pond?
  31. Botany Downs Secondary College
    Howick’s flashy newbie. All glitz, no grit?
  32. Craighead Diocesan School
    Timaru’s sleepy Anglican girls’ school. Wake up, already!
  33. Mission Heights Junior College
    Flat Bush’s experimental junior high. Risky business for parents.
  34. Newlands College
    Wellington’s northern suburbs’ contender. Outshined by the city slickers?
  35. Albany Junior High School
    Albany’s modern mystery. Still figuring itself out.
  36. Villa Maria College
    Christchurch’s Catholic girls’ school. Values aplenty, variety not so much.
  37. Selwyn College
    Kohimarama’s co-ed wild card. Hit or miss?
  38. St Bede's College
    Christchurch’s rigid Catholic boys’ school. Stuck in the stone age?
  39. Mt Aspiring College
    Wanaka’s scenic co-ed. Pretty views, patchy resources.
  40. Mt Albert Grammar School
    Auckland’s sprawling co-ed. Stretched too thin?
  41. Rathkeale College
    Masterton’s rugged rural boys’ school. Rough around the edges.
  42. Wellington East Girls' College
    Wellington’s brainy girls’ school. Smart, but shabby?
  43. Liston College
    Henderson’s Catholic boys’ school. Middle of the road, at best.
  44. Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)
    New Plymouth’s provincial Catholic girls’ school. Too small-town?
  45. Christchurch Boys' High School
    Christchurch’s fading boys’ legend. Past its prime?
  46. Cashmere High School
    Christchurch’s big, messy co-ed. Jack of all trades, master of none?
  47. Wakatipu High School
    Queenstown’s tourist-town co-ed. More holiday than hardcore?
  48. Whanganui Collegiate School
    Whanganui’s historic co-ed. Living in a time capsule?
  49. Burnside High School
    Christchurch’s oversized co-ed. Too massive to manage?
  50. Christchurch Girls' High School - Te Kura o Hine Waiora
    Christchurch’s fallen girls’ giant. Struggling to rise again.