Deciding on a school.
Most children attend the school closest to where they live. These are usually listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory. Parents and caregivers can enrol their children at any state school of their choice. However, if a school has too many children wishing to enrol, the Ministry of Education may allow a school to operate an enrolment scheme to prevent over-crowding. An enrolment scheme must contain a 'home zone' with clearly defined boundaries. Students who live within the home zone have an absolute right to enrol at the school. Students living outside the zone can still apply to enrol, but if there are more applicants than available places, a ballot will be held to determine who can enrol. Brothers and sisters of current and former students and children of board employees have a higher priority for the out-of-zone places.
Parents or caregivers can telephone the schools they are interested in and ask to visit. They can ask to see the latest Education Review Office report, which is available to the public, or get a copy from the local Education Review Office or the Education Review Office's web site: www.ero.govt.nz
Many schools have a prospectus or brochure that sets out their ideals and what the school offers its students. Schools also have a school charter and you can ask to see a copy.
