Alternative Education

There are times when due to the nature of learning support funding, the education system and individual differences that formal schooling does not work out.

This can be a very challenging period for mokopuna and their whānau as they navigate their new normal.

There are several options that whānau and mokopuna can consider when mainstream education does not work:

1. Alternative education providors (provided for students year 9 - 11 who are at risk of disengaging from education)

   • Auckland City Education Services - you must meet specific criteria to enrol at this school (please see this web page)

   • Te Hikoi (catering for South and Central Auckland) 

   • For ages 16 and above: Youth Guarantee scheme

2. Te Kura Correspondence School - (from early childhood to year 13)

   • The correspondence school has a list of criteria for enrolment available here.

   • You can be referred by the Ministry of Education to Te Kura if your child's schooling journey is not working out

3. Private Schools

These school may be partially funded by the Ministry of Education or more require parents to pay the total cost of their child's schooling.

3. • Montessori based schools

     1. Golden Grove School (year 1 - 8) in Onehunga

     2. Meraki Montessori in Silverdale (ages 6 - 12)

     3. Auckland Montessori College in Constellation Drive & Pamnure for ages 11 - 18 years

   • Rudolf Steiner Schools - adopt a philosophy of child-led and connection based learning. 

     1. Titirangi Steiner School in Titirangi (from ages 3 - 18 years)

     2. Michael Park School in Ellerslie (catering from 3 - 18 years)

   • Timatanga School (special character democratic school) - in Whenuapai for learners aged 5 - 12 years

4. Northern Health School

   • If a student is unwell due to medical conditions and cannot attend school due to these, the Northern Health school can be applied to

   • The role of the school is to provide a teacher to ensure that learning can continue whilst your child is unwell. They may meet your child at a local library, at the hospital, in your home or at a community centre. Their role is to support the child with their learning

   • About the Northern Health School

   • Eligibility Criteria - 10 days hospitalisation, 40 days off school as predicted by specialist due to medical condition, mental health condition

5. Homeschooling:

   • Homeschooling has grown significantly within Aotearoa as a result of the pandemic and increasingly neurodiverse population for whom the mainstream education system does not work

   • Please find your way to our Homeschooling page to find out more