The senior school has three main features:
- We retain a strong academic strand which prepares students for university, and we offer a full range of academic courses.
- We have a wide range of courses which are part of the Qualifications Framework. These courses allow students to gain credits in a number of employment-related areas. This gives those students a head start when moving to a polytechnic or to other institutions after leaving the College.
- Students are able to study at different levels in the senior school according to their needs and ability.
Year 11
Students gain credits towards NCEA Level 1. All students must take English, Mathematics, and three other subjects – a total of five courses.
Year 12 and Year 13
Students typically gain credits towards NCEA Level 2 and NCEA Level 3 . Students can also work towards a range of National Certificates in specialised areas such as Employment Skills and Tourism. These National Certificates enable students to begin study for a career pathway while still at school and allow them to build up a portfolio of useful qualifications.
Students preparing for university have the opportunity to sit New Zealand Scholarship examinations in a range of subjects in addition to gaining University Entrance and NCEA Level 3.
Our aim is that every student leaving One Tree Hill College will have completed a National Certificate or will continue to do so either by further study or training.
NOTE: Final subject availability is not determined until late in the year and is driven by student choice and the size of the school roll.