KEY POINTS:
Onehunga High is one of eight secondary schools featured in a new Ministry of Education publication about ways to keep teenagers in class.
Education Minister Chris Carter yesterday praised the "inspiring" stories.
He said the case studies highlighted the innovations used by schools to keep children in class until they reached the legal leaving age and increased the number getting qualifications.
Last year, the number of under-16s getting permission to leave early dropped by about half, said Mr Carter, amid a push to drive down numbers.
"We want to continue to support students to stay at school beyond the age of 16 wherever possible," said Mr Carter. "Our schools are working hard to do that - this publication shows just how hard."
Onehunga High School grew its roll with out-of-zone students to increase the number of courses offered, according to the document.
Its "key lesson" included building strong partnerships with industry and business people.
The school offered vocational construction, childcare and catering courses in Year 12, approved by industry.
It opened a business school and is one of four pilot schools for a Ministry of Social Development-backed Services Academy at Year 13, for students who want to join the police, Army, Navy or Air Force.
Principal Deidre Shea said the school didn't have a big problem with students wanting to leave before turning 16.
The schools featured in Staying at School, Assisting Students to Reach Their Full Potential: Eight New Zealand Case Studies, released last month ranged from large urban secondary schools to small, rural schools.
"Rotorua Girls' High School has reduced the number of Maori students leaving school with no formal qualification from one in three six years ago to zero last year," Mr Carter said.
EARLY EXITS
* 3958 the number of under-16s who got an exemption to leave school early in 2006
* 1933 the projected number of under-16s to get the exemption in 2007
Source: Education Minister
