May 2025 marks a significant milestone for Crimson Global Academy (CGA), New Zealand鈥檚 first fully online private high school. Launched in 2020 in Auckland with just 26 students, 13 teachers, and 22 classes, CGA has rapidly evolved into a global leader in online education. Today, it serves over 2,000 students across the world, supported by more than 200 teachers and offering 250 classes.
In just five years, CGA has helped over 700 New Zealand families create personalised learning journeys tailored to each student鈥檚 needs 鈥 whether that means accelerating academic pathways or accommodating demanding extracurricular schedules.
鈥淐rimson Global Academy has always been about adapting education to meet the needs of the modern learner,鈥 says Ronan Kearney, Deputy Principal at CGA. 鈥淥ur model allows students the flexibility to thrive academically while also pursuing passions outside the classroom.鈥
In line with that mission, CGA launched a bold new initiative in Term 1 of 2025: a four-day school week pilot. The move, designed to take advantage of the flexibility offered by online learning, allows students to dedicate Fridays to holistic development activities. These include internships, leadership programs, CGA-led clubs, service projects, and independent learning.
鈥淪tudents are no longer tied to five days of back-to-back classes,鈥 says Kearney. 鈥淲ith Fridays now dedicated to holistic development, we鈥檙e seeing learners use this time to build real-world skills, explore their interests, and grow as individuals.鈥
At the heart of this new model is CGA鈥檚 LIFE programme 鈥 which stands for Lifelong learning, Interacting with others, Focus outward, and Exploration and self-agency. Integrated into form time, assemblies, and Friday enrichment, LIFE encourages students to develop in areas ranging from financial literacy and physical wellbeing to global citizenship and service learning.
Early feedback suggests the initiative is having a meaningful impact:鈥
- 鈥89.7% of students report feeling more focused during lessons.
- 鈥85.9% say they鈥檙e staying on top of their work.
- 鈥88.5% feel productive in reaching their learning goals.
- 鈥79.3% of caregivers have noticed reduced stress in their children.
- 鈥84.6% of teachers express optimism about the long-term benefits.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not just preparing students for exams 鈥 we鈥檙e preparing them for life,鈥 Kearney explains. 鈥淭his model supports greater autonomy, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate complexity 鈥 all essential traits for success at top universities and in future careers.鈥
Teachers, too, are reaping the rewards. With the restructured schedule, they now have dedicated time for lesson planning, mentoring, and professional collaboration 鈥 fostering a stronger, more supportive learning environment for everyone involved.
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