Maniototo Area School principal Melissa Bell said she was delighted the school was selected as a finalist from a shortlist of 10 schools from around the country.
The award was for schools which identified key challenges or areas for development to improve student attendance at their school.
Ms Bell said the recognition reflected the deep commitment of the school’s staff, Board of Trustees and wider school community to improving attendance and engagement with the students.
Initiatives including breakfast club, the year 10 Strive programme and a positive shift in school culture had all made a significant difference to students.
The Strive programme, introduced last year, encouraged students to dream big, make the most of all school opportunities and develop leadership skills.
To complete the programme students had to meet academic, service and extra-curricular goals as well as achieve at least 85% attendance each term.
Maniototo Area School, with a roll of about 145 students from year 1 to 13, is up against Nelson College for Girls, a single-sex state school for girls year 9 to 13.
The school roll was about 950, with about 40 international students and up to 120 boarders.
