ACG Schools: A Cut above… Again.

ACG Schools have once again achieved student outcomes that place them amongst the world’s best. ACG Schools, New Zealand’s largest independent school group has long been the gold standard for academic achievement – but their 2023 results have surpassed even their own high benchmarks.

The 2023 results for the Cambridge Assessment have just been announced and ACG has set a new record with forty-six of their students winning individual achievement. To put that into context the Cambridge Assessment is a global measuring stick aimed at high achievers and students destined for premier higher educational institutions. Remarkably, one in every three awarded students in the country is an ACG student. Moreover, fourteen of the awards were Top in World Awards, eighteen were Top in New Zealand awards and twelve for High Achievement. This is not just an impressive accomplishment by itself, but also a significant improvement from the previous year when they won ‘only’ thirty-three awards.

It’s been a turbulent time in education. The pandemic had a massive impact on the student experience – globally. All students have faced challenges that none of us expected them to have to endure on their scholastic journey. The students achieving these impressive results have had to endure disruption and the mental challenges that we all faced during that tumultuous time. To achieve this level of excellence on the global stage truly deserves high praise.

ACG understands that the Cambridge Assessment is a valuable tool for students looking to gain acceptance to the highest echelon of higher educational institutions in both New Zealand and overseas, such as Stanford, MIT and Oxford. As an international standard, the Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE) sets an international benchmark – key for Kiwis as it’s always challenging for overseas institutions to assess how even our best and brightest stack up.

Mike McFadden, CEO of ACG Schools, remarks, “The internationally recognised CAIE curriculum is robust in its methods, and because of this, it better enables students to gain entrance into world-leading universities. As New Zealand’s largest independent school group, it’s a significant achievement that collectively our schools have outperformed every other school in the country that offers the Cambridge curriculum, in either Top in New Zealand or Top in World status.”

ACG, with its seven schools across Aotearoa isn’t just focused on senior students. They shepherd students on their full educational journey from pre-school to university-ready. Their holistic approach to education allows students to flourish in a variety of disciplines. Maths and science are, of course, a tried and true focus – but the humanities, languages, art and design are baked into the DNA of the curriculum.

An emphasis on creating well-rounded individuals – not just students who achieve well in the exam room – is paramount to the approach. This emphasis on the whole and not just the part is crucial in modern education. As our world evolves; young people prepare for careers that aren’t just different from that of their parents – but in many cases, simply don’t yet exist. Being proficient in a breadth of skills that encompass not just the traditional educational pillars but the skills needed to converse, create and connect in the modern world are the hallmarks of an institution that is moulding the leaders of tomorrow.

Mike McFadden continues, “Inspiring academic excellence and fostering a passion for lifelong learning are at the heart of ACG Schools’ mission. As we celebrate these exceptional achievements, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering an education that prepares students for the next step in their academic journey and their future careers.”

Once again ACG has raised the bar and their students have put in the hard work to achieve at an impressive level – clearing that bar with air to spare. And while ACG continues to build from strength to strength is when you drill down and look at the individual achievements. Stats and numbers tell an impressive story, but when you consider the work, sacrifice and dedication of these students it transforms an impressive set of stats into a truly inspiring group of young people.

What’s perhaps even more inspiring is what these students have the potential to achieve in the future. Secondary education, an internationally standardised curriculum, high-level testing and stellar achievement are not the ends – they are the means. The course that has been set will lead them to great places and the work and achievement that they will give back to our society will see all of New Zealand benefit. Their results are our future – and that future is looking bright.