Whanganui Collegiate School has been accepted as a Round Square candidacy school, joining Christchurch's Christ's College and Auckland's King's College.
Round Square is a network of schools in 50 countries that are committed to developing young people.
It aims to develop not only academic excellence, but the global mindset to face adversity, to value service to others and to uphold both the courage and hunger to achieve more.
This is built around the six ideals of international understanding, democracy, environmental stewardship, adventure, leadership and service.
Whanganui Collegiate School headmaster Wayne Brown said Round Square's ethos complements the thinking of WCS.