Griffin Academy, Kerikeri

Key facts

About Griffin Academy

Griffin Academy is a registered private school located in Northland, New Zealand, operating under the broader Griffin brand alongside a separate sport and movement programme. It is one of three fully private school options in the Northland region, according to the school's own description.

The school offers two curriculum pathways: a British and Cambridge-aligned pathway including IGCSE and A Level qualifications, and an American curriculum pathway with GED and SAT preparation. It operates with small student-to-teacher ratios and individual learning plans.

Griffin Academy integrates physical education directly into its model, incorporating gymnastics, trampolining, ballet, dance, and outdoor education alongside academic study. Career education, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and AI literacy are also described as part of the curriculum.

The school is preparing to accept international students from 2027 and has an online learning platform in development. School and sports clothing is described as being introduced as part of the school's current stage of development.

Curriculum

Griffin Academy offers curriculum pathways aligned with British, Cambridge, and American frameworks rather than NCEA.

Junior students follow a British Curriculum / Cambridge-aligned approach covering literacy, mathematics, science, critical thinking, and independent learning. Senior students can work toward IGCSE and A Level qualification pathways, depending on age, academic level, and subject choices. An American Curriculum pathway is also available, including preparation for the GED high school equivalency credential and, where appropriate, SAT preparation.

Alongside academic study, the school's programme includes gymnastics, trampolining, tumbling, calisthenics, parkour, tricking, functional fitness, Olympic lifting foundations, and primal movement, as well as ballet, dance, outdoor education, leadership, and practical life skills. The school states it creates individual learning plans for each student rather than a single fixed programme.

International Students

Griffin Academy is located in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, and is preparing to accept international students from 2027. The school is a private institution offering small class sizes, with a target teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:10 and individual learning plans for each student.

Academic Pathways

International students can follow one of two curriculum pathways:

• British Curriculum pathway, leading toward IGCSE and A Level options
• American Curriculum pathway, with GED preparation and, where appropriate, SAT preparation

Support Services

The school offers intensive English transition support for non-native speakers. Additional support services included in the international student programme are:

• Individual learning plans based on each student's level, goals and strengths
• Integrated individual tutoring
• Career education
• Pastoral support during school hours

Programme Activities

All international students participate in a movement programme covering gymnastics, trampolining, tumbling, calisthenics, parkour, tricking, functional fitness, Olympic lifting foundations and primal movement. Additional sport options may include basketball, tennis, surfing and outdoor training. Ballet and dance is available for beginners and advanced students. Outdoor education includes hiking, kayaking, horse riding, mountain biking, surfing, snorkelling, sailing and conservation-based learning.

Enrolment Packages

Two international student packages are offered for the 2027 intake. No fee figures are published. The International Day Student Package covers academic learning, English transition support, the movement programme, ballet and dance, outdoor education, career education and pastoral support during school hours. The Full International Boarding Package includes everything in the day package plus family-style boarding, meals, house parent support and pastoral care outside school hours.

Accommodation

The school is developing a family-style boarding model in which students live in supervised accommodation with house parents. Meals are provided, and students also have access to tutor, school staff and medical support. No specific accommodation address or capacity figures are stated.