CGA's 5-Year Anniversary: Celebrating Innovation, Excellence, and Global Learning

5 Years of Inspiring Minds and Reimagining Education

Five years ago, Crimson Global Academy (CGA) began with a mission: to provide high-quality education to students anywhere in the world. Today, we celebrate our incredible journey that has redefined what learning can look like through a truly innovative and global model.

We've achieved remarkable growth: expanding our student body to nearly 2,000 learners from over 70 countries, securing accreditations from Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment, and College Board, and being recognised as a Top 3 Finalist for the World's Best School Prize for Innovation.

Explore our anniversary timeline - the important milestones that shape not only our story but the Crimson Global Academy achievements that continue to inspire students and families worldwide.

April 2020 — The First Class

In response to a changing world, CGA launched its first pioneering class. Our fully online, flexible approach gave rise to the now-celebrated CGA online learning model — combining academic rigour, global accessibility, and personalisation like never before.

CGA CEO Penelope Barton remembers the exciting early days of the school:

At the very beginning there were no private online schools whatsoever in New Zealand. And the idea for CGA was inherently a revolutionary one where we were going to enable students to access these amazing international credentials in a totally new way they hadn't done before.

From December 2022 — Top University Admissions

A hallmark of CGA university admissions, our students continue to secure offers from the most competitive institutions, a testament to our strong academic foundation and dedicated university counselling.

One of these students, Anna, from rural New Zealand, studied International A Levels part-time alongside her local curriculum. With CGA's rigorous curriculum, advanced classes, and support navigating the UK admissions system, Anna scored A* A* A grades - and was accepted to study Medicine at the The University of Oxford.

Read more about our outstanding 2024-2025 university offers.

January 2023 — A New Academic Pathway

With full-time enrolments into the US Diploma and AP courses, CGA now provides more options for students pursuing international goals — enhancing our educational philosophy of flexible, personalised learning.

Interested in studying the US curriculum? Discover how our US Diploma students are getting into top universities.

July 2023 - The Rise of Personalised Instruction

Over 40% of our students now benefit from CGA’s 1:1 Da Vinci programme. These small, personalised class settings reflect our belief in the power of tailored teaching and optimal CGA class sizes.

Learn how Da Vinci classes help US student Jacob to succeed in his education and sports.

August 2023 — First Global Social Day

Beyond academics, CGA places emphasis on social growth and global citizenship. Our first-ever CGA extracurricular activity brought students together virtually and in person — forming friendships across continents.

Read more about our monthly community events.

September 2023 — Global Recognition for Innovation

CGA was recognised among the world’s best for innovation in education, reflecting our continued leadership in transforming how students learn. This marked a proud moment for CGA innovation in education, adding to robust rankings and accreditations.

February 2024 — WASC Accreditation

With accreditation from WASC, our school’s academic integrity, innovation, and quality were affirmed — a major validation of our CGA teaching methods and practice.

CGA CEO Penelope Barton, reflects on this key milestone:

It was a huge milestone. Thinking back to how we started - to working with the largest global accrediting body - saying here is our model, here is our proof. They gave us a six-year accreditation, which is their longest. It was a huge affirmation of the work the team has been putting in.

April 2024 — Primary Programme Launch

CGA now offers a full pathway from Primary to High School. Our 1:1 primary classes uphold the same high standards of care, personalisation, and academic focus seen throughout the school.

April 2024 — Smart, AI-Enhanced Learning

With AI summaries built into CGA Home, students now have powerful tools to study smarter and achieve more. These innovations are key to improving CGA academic results while keeping students at the centre.

May 2024 — First Virtual US Diploma Graduation

Students from across the globe celebrated their academic success through our first US Diploma graduation — a moment that showcased the heart of CGA: opportunity, excellence, and global unity.

June 2024 — A World-First in Exams

CGA student Max became the first in the world to take an A Level exam via Pearson Edexcel’s remote invigilation. A historic achievement and proof of our bold vision for education access.

December 2024 - CGA’s First International School Trip

From Vietnam to the US and New Zealand, CGA's global trips combine cultural immersion and community-building — enriching the lives of students far beyond the classroom.

Deputy Principal Ronan Kearney, who led the trip to Vietnam, commented:

We were so impressed at how easily the students connected and made friendships and engaged in every activity! A real example of how online learning allows students to develop socially.

The Future Is Just Getting Started

From our first class to global university admissions, from personalised learning to cultural exchange — Crimson Global Academy achievements continue to shape the future of online learning.

As we celebrate the CGA 5-year anniversary, we thank the families, students, and staff who have believed in this vision from day one. Here’s to another five years of innovation, growth, and impact!