Ministry of Education data suggests four of the top six primary schools to experience growth between 2015 and last year were schools with a special character: St Mary’s (Kaikorai), Dunedin Rudolf Steiner, Sacred Heart and Liberton Christian schools.
Amana Christian School had the largest growth for a school that covers secondary education with a 218% increase in roll size.
It went from 16 students in 2015 to 51 students last year and began this year with 65 students.
Principal Jana Magens said it offered a values-based education grounding in long-standing Christian standards.
Parents who sent their children to the school were not necessarily Christian, but they found the school built good character.
"They understand that our curriculum is very personal and every student is working in their own speed."
Students could sit tests when they were ready rather than at a single scheduled time for everyone.
The curriculum in the school had aspects of Christianity woven into it in different ways.
Sacred Heart School had an increase of 60% in roll size between 2015 and last year, from 43 pupils to 69.
Principal Ellen Devaney said the school had a huge emphasis on teaching the "whole child", integrating faith with strong values, social development and high academic expectations.
"Being a ‘smaller’ school means that we build and foster stronger, more supportive relationships with students and the wider community."
She believed more parents were sending their children to Sacred Heart because of its warm and welcoming environment.
"Parents are hearing and seeing positive things happening and want their children to be a part of this safe, caring and educational experience."
Sacred Heart started this year with a roll of 61 students and was expecting it to grow through the year.
