Te Aute College is making a comeback.

A report by the Education Review Office (ERO) says the school is "now well placed to sustain and continue to improve and review its performance".

The Te Aute Trust board was starved of funding up until last year, when it succeeded in repaying a $9.2 million debt.

Repayment of the debt, incurred on the trust's farming operations, removed a severe interest burden and helped the school to concentrate on improving boarding and learning facilities.

The ERO report says there are "good systems and processes" in place for the governance, leadership and management of the college.

The chairman of the school's ministry-appointed board of trustees, Moana Jackson, believes the report is cause for celebration.

"Our principal, Shane Hiha, has done a fantastic job of holding the ship on course and we continue to make gains in the school and hostel."

The long-established secondary school for boys in Pukehou, Central Hawke's Bay, is state integrated and has a distinctly Maori and Anglican character.

Enrolments at the school are up almost 25 per cent on last year.

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