Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery

Despite the schools good intentions, this is where you send your kid if you don't mind if they don't have basic maths or English, but do have extensive knowledge of anime theory. There are awesome people at this school, but to do it again, I'd have sent mine to literally ANY other school.

From normal average at intermediate, my child went to behind in everything at this school. Teachers (LA's they are called) told me in year 12 that she was on track, where in fact she was nearly a year behind. Only discovered well into year 13 that she had only just achieved NCEA level 1. They provide loans to do illegal things (buy a moped knowing it would be used to drive to a nighttime job on a learner licence). A promised programme for elite students fell apart after 2 years with parents having to pick up the pieces of talented teenagers' ambitions. Without any discussion, she was struck from the role at the end of year 13 with only NCEA level 1 achieved without being asked whether she wanted to continue finishing NCEA. She left with a hate for learning. Worst decision ever to get sucked into this school.

My 10 year old son wakes up every morning begging to go to school. (this location is the primary school half of Ao Tawhiti, which is supposed to be united in a new building downtown in 2019). The self directed model of Ao Tawhiti really works for my boy. He's years ahead of national standards and gets to spend several hours every day focused on learning stuff he actually cares about. You know that dead-eyed look that kids can get when school is a horrible burden forced upon them? You don't see that look at Ao Tawhiti. You might see crazy hairdos, kids wearing animal onesie pajamas every day, or 9 year olds arguing about the nature of the universe, but rarely the dead eyed look.

I really enjoy this school, its helping alot to gain confidence, and much much more, anything u like doing u can basically achieve it at this school, I personally recommend this school for who ever needs help, and get very very far in life, to people who want to learn what they like in the school!!...

Im one of the students of Aotawhiti and before i used to dislike schools but after coming to aotawhiti i love schools...teachers are sweet,nice students,good study options and mostly the school building is very strong and pretty.Thank you for building this nice school!!!!!

No good. They dont accept tranferrees from other school. No sympathy on the students not being able to go to school.

My kids attended this school. It hides its failures and mediocrity behind flashy words and a nice building. The attendance rates and NCEA scores speak for themselves. Google stuff Ao Tawhiti attendance" and read the article."

Good school. New building looks great.

This school doesn't work for some people, fortunately I am not one of them. 5 stars, awesome school!

This school is great if you don't work well with the structured, all NCEA focused, year level based way of learning regular schools use and want to pursue other passions than NCEA.This school is also great if you have the knowledge, skills, and drive to start NCEA before year 11.Beware this school does require a higher level of self control and planning because you choose what NCEA opportunities to persue and passing NCEA won't be a given if you don't plan and track your NCEA to certain extent.Also parents need to more involved as they will most likely have to help their child plan their learning and NCEA progress.As a student of Aotawhiti I think if you have the knowledge, drive, and self control you will leave school better prepared for the less straight forward and structured environments of university and work.