This is a secondary school qualification, owned and quality-managed by the Federation of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Schools in New Zealand Inc, who will accredit providers (normally schools) to deliver the programme, and who will award the Steiner School Certificate level 3.

The qualification aims to certify those students who undertake, and achieve in, a learning programme in a Rudolf Steiner pedagogical context (usually a school) which seeks to develop the skills, knowledge, capabilities and attitudes required for post-secondary school life, including work and/or further university or other tertiary study.

The target student is primarily, but not exclusively, Year 13 students who have moved through 4 years (Years 9-12) of the Steiner high school curriculum, participating in a range of compulsory components, and who are wishing to have certified their achievements in the whole of the final year's learning programme, which includes compulsory courses.

Graduates of the Steiner School Certificate Level 3 will have a comprehensive foundation for leaving school as independent life-long learners who are able to be self-reflective and take initiative when required. They will typically have openness and connectedness to the world and its peoples, will demonstrate tolerance and respect for others, and have a curiosity about all aspects of life.

As part of their studies, Steiner School Certificate graduates have undertaken a year-long independent study which will have demonstrated the ability to plan, organise, research, produce, write and present their findings to meet a high level of public and educational expectation. Graduates will have demonstrated the ability to problem-solve and apply learning across a broad range of contexts. They take action to follow things through to their conclusion.

Graduates will have persisted in a very broad range of activities and subject matter, have sensitivity to independent, alternative or creative views of the world, and have developed a strong sense of personal responsibility and ambition.

Where they have pursued their chosen (elective) courses, they will have achieved those at an equivalent level to other secondary school qualifications, and, if achieved at Highly Commended or Distinction, will be well-prepared to continue higher level study in the relevant subject arrears.

Not available

Enrolled as a Year 13 (Class 12) student in a registered and approved
Steiner institution (refer QMS Accreditation Section 3);
Have gained the Steiner School Certificate Level 2, or had equivalent discretionary recognition (refer QMS section 2);


Minimum age 16 years