Best primary schools in Timaru District (2026)
Contributing, full primary, intermediate and composite schools offering Years 1–8. Ranked by the Success Index (NZ) from official New Zealand data; 18 schools in Timaru District, Canterbury. Rank positions shown on each profile are within New Zealand and Canterbury.
- 179Gleniti SchoolGleniti · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 414 · 385 students
- 271Barton Rural SchoolGleniti · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 419 · 187 students
- 369Woodbury SchoolGeraldine · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 412 · 119 students
- 469St Joseph's School (Timaru)Timaru · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 403 · 218 students
- 564Sacred Heart School (Timaru)Timaru · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 438 · 232 students
- 660Timaru Christian SchoolWatlington · State integrated Composite (Year 1-10)Equity Index (EQI) 446 · 170 students
- 759Beaconsfield SchoolGleniti · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 438 · 126 students
- 855Geraldine Primary SchoolGeraldine · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 439 · 278 students
- 953Bluestone SchoolWest End · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 474 · 474 students
- 1052Pleasant Point Primary SchoolPleasant Point · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 444 · 245 students
- 1149Highfield SchoolGlenwood · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 477 · 316 students
- 1247St Joseph's School (Temuka)Temuka · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 451 · 110 students
- 1346Waimataitai SchoolTimaru · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 464 · 475 students
- 1445Winchester Rural SchoolWinchester · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 457 · 121 students
- 1538Temuka Primary SchoolTemuka · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 476 · 215 students
- 1633Timaru South SchoolParkside · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 511 · 191 students
- 1731Grantlea Downs SchoolMarchwiel · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 498 · 309 students
- 1825Oceanview Heights SchoolMarchwiel · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 523 · 102 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (NZ) | Equity Index (EQI) | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gleniti School Gleniti · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 78.8 Top 10% | 414 | 385 |
| 2 | Barton Rural School Gleniti · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 70.6 Top 25% | 419 | 187 |
| 3 | Woodbury School Geraldine · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 69.1 Top 25% | 412 | 119 |
| 4 | St Joseph's School (Timaru) Timaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 69.0 Top 25% | 403 | 218 |
| 5 | Sacred Heart School (Timaru) Timaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 64.0 Top 50% | 438 | 232 |
| 6 | Timaru Christian School Watlington · Composite (Year 1-10) · Years 1–13 | State integrated | 60.4 Top 50% | 446 | 170 |
| 7 | Beaconsfield School Gleniti · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 58.5 Top 50% | 438 | 126 |
| 8 | Geraldine Primary School Geraldine · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 55.2 Top 50% | 439 | 278 |
| 9 | Bluestone School West End · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 53.1 Top 50% | 474 | 474 |
| 10 | Pleasant Point Primary School Pleasant Point · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 52.2 Top 50% | 444 | 245 |
| 11 | Highfield School Glenwood · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 49.3 Lower 50% | 477 | 316 |
| 12 | St Joseph's School (Temuka) Temuka · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 46.7 Lower 50% | 451 | 110 |
| 13 | Waimataitai School Timaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 46.3 Lower 50% | 464 | 475 |
| 14 | Winchester Rural School Winchester · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 44.6 Lower 50% | 457 | 121 |
| 15 | Temuka Primary School Temuka · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 37.9 Lower 50% | 476 | 215 |
| 16 | Timaru South School Parkside · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 33.0 Lower 50% | 511 | 191 |
| 17 | Grantlea Downs School Marchwiel · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 30.9 Lower 50% | 498 | 309 |
| 18 | Oceanview Heights School Marchwiel · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 24.8 Lower 50% | 523 | 102 |
Gleniti School in Gleniti leads the 2026 list of primary schools in Timaru District with a Success Index (NZ) of 78.8. Of the 18 schools shown, 14 are state, 4 are state integrated.
For the full picture see the wider Canterbury primary schools rankings, every school on the Timaru District page, or the comparison tool to put a shortlist side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best primary school in Timaru District?
Gleniti School in Gleniti, Canterbury ranks first among primary schools in Timaru District with a Success Index (NZ) of 78.8 out of 100 (Equity Index (EQI): 414).
How are primary schools in Timaru District ranked?
Each school's Success Index (NZ) combines 5 factors: equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (45%), roll size (10%), roll growth (5 years) (15%), school leavers with ncea level 2+ (20%), school leavers with university entrance (10%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across New Zealand. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.
Are these 2026 rankings official?
No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official New Zealand data (Ministry of Education – Schools Directory; Ministry of Education – School leaver attainment (Find a school)). The Equity Index describes the student community, not teaching quality.