There are 13 years in the New Zealand school system. Schooling begins at primary school – the first year at primary school is referred to as ‘Year 1’. Primary school covers years 1 to 8 if it is a ‘full’ primary school, or years 1 to 6 if it is a ‘contributing’ primary school. If your child enrols in a contributing primary school, they will attend an intermediate school to complete years 7 and 8.
After finishing primary or intermediate school, your child will attend secondary school (also called ‘college’ or ‘high school’) to complete their final school years (years 9 to 13). They may leave secondary school before reaching Year 13, but not until their 16th birthday.