Mosgiel's Amana Christian School has completed its secondary education trial period and has been permitted to continue teaching secondary pupils indefinitely.
Under provisional registration in February 2014, the school was permitted to teach secondary pupils until this month, and the Ministry of Education recently approved a continuation of the expanded education programme.
The Christian education facility has a primary school (years 1 to 8), which was established in 2001, and an early learning centre, which was opened five years ago.
The expansion into secondary education came following several years of planning, and was driven by parents of pupils at the school who were keen to extend their schooling with strong Christian character.
Principal Liz Bishop said the approval of the secondary programme was ''wonderful news''.
''It's the next step to providing a continuing education for all the pupils that come into the school for Christian education.
''Now, they can continue their education all the way through until they go to university. It means they can follow their spiritual journey.''
The school believed about 60% of pupils from the Taieri area travelled to Dunedin for secondary education, and it hoped the new college would provide another opportunity for pupils from the area to gain a quality, internationally recognised education closer to home.
Mrs Bishop said there were five secondary pupils on the roll last year, and expected eight this year.
The total roll, including primary pupils, was expected to be 24. The school had the potential to educate up to 100 pupils, she said.
Primary and secondary pupils are taught using the accelerated Christian education curriculum.
Year 11, 12 and 13 pupils are credited with certificates that are recognised in 147 countries.
Year 13 pupils can receive honours certificates for achieving an average of 90% or higher in all subjects, which is at a similar level to the top Cambridge qualification and gives entrance to all universities throughout New Zealand.
