Schools in Waitaki District, Otago (2026)
19 schools · 3,447 students · 17 state, 2 state integrated · median Equity Index (EQI) 461.
Waitaki District, in Otago, has 19 schools in New Zealand's 2026 data, together educating about 3,447 students. By level there are 10 full primary, 4 contributing, 3 secondary (year 9-15), 1 intermediate, 1 secondary (year 7-15); by sector 17 state, 2 state integrated.
The median Equity Index (EQI) across Waitaki District's schools is 461, above the Otago median of 441. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
15 of the 19 schools qualify for the Success Index (NZ). The highest-scoring is Maheno School (60.3, top 50% of full primary schools nationally), followed by St Kevins College (Oamaru) (59.7, top 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools nationally), and Weston School (57.2, top 50% of full primary schools nationally). Scores are percentiles within school type, so compare a primary school with other primary schools.
The largest schools are St Kevins College (Oamaru) (487 students), Waitaki Boys' High School (418 students), Waitaki Girls' High School (399 students). 2 schools are single-sex.
Schools are spread across 10 suburbs or towns, with the most in Oamaru (9), Palmerston (2), Maheno (1), Weston (1).
Ranked schools in Waitaki District
Ordered by Success Index (NZ). Rank positions shown on each profile are within New Zealand and Otago.
- 160Maheno SchoolMaheno · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 430 · 95 students
- 260St Kevins College (Oamaru)Oamaru · State integrated Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 447 · 487 students
- 357Weston SchoolWeston · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 434 · 240 students
- 455St Joseph's School (Oamaru)Oamaru · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 437 · 149 students
- 550Waitaki Girls' High SchoolOamaru · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 478 · 399 students
- 649Five Forks SchoolWaitaki · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 449 · 63 students
- 748Waitaki Boys' High SchoolOamaru · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 477 · 418 students
- 848Papakaio SchoolOamaru · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 449 · 123 students
- 946Ardgowan SchoolOamaru · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 453 · 131 students
- 1043Fenwick SchoolSouth Hill · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 465 · 287 students
- 1143Palmerston SchoolPalmerston · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 461 · 103 students
- 1238Oamaru IntermediateOamaru · State IntermediateEquity Index (EQI) 477 · 291 students
- 1337East Otago High SchoolPalmerston · State Secondary (Year 7-15)Equity Index (EQI) 488 · 196 students
- 1433Te Pākihi o MaruOamaru · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 502 · 130 students
- 1531Pembroke School (Oamaru)Oamaru · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 496 · 232 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (NZ) | Equity Index (EQI) | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maheno School Maheno · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 60.3 Top 50% | 430 | 95 |
| 2 | St Kevins College (Oamaru) Oamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State integrated | 59.7 Top 50% | 447 | 487 |
| 3 | Weston School Weston · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 57.2 Top 50% | 434 | 240 |
| 4 | St Joseph's School (Oamaru) Oamaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 54.9 Top 50% | 437 | 149 |
| 5 | Waitaki Girls' High School Oamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 49.5 Top 50% | 478 | 399 |
| 6 | Five Forks School Waitaki · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 49.2 Lower 50% | 449 | 63 |
| 7 | Waitaki Boys' High School Oamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 48.1 Top 50% | 477 | 418 |
| 8 | Papakaio School Oamaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 48.0 Lower 50% | 449 | 123 |
| 9 | Ardgowan School Oamaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 46.3 Lower 50% | 453 | 131 |
| 10 | Fenwick School South Hill · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 43.0 Lower 50% | 465 | 287 |
| 11 | Palmerston School Palmerston · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 42.6 Lower 50% | 461 | 103 |
| 12 | Oamaru Intermediate Oamaru · Intermediate · Years 7–8 | State | 37.9 Lower 50% | 477 | 291 |
| 13 | East Otago High School Palmerston · Secondary (Year 7-15) · Years 7–13 | State | 36.5 Lower 50% | 488 | 196 |
| 14 | Te Pākihi o Maru Oamaru · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 32.5 Lower 50% | 502 | 130 |
| 15 | Pembroke School (Oamaru) Oamaru · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 31.0 Lower 50% | 496 | 232 |
Other schools in Waitaki District
Schools without a rank: fewer than 60 students, no published Equity Index (EQI), or a school type that is not scored.
Compare the top 4 schools in Waitaki District side by side →
Suburb or towns in Waitaki District
Other places in Otago
- Dunedin(10)
- Oamaru(9)
- Mosgiel(5)
- Balclutha(5)
- Frankton(4)
- Wanaka(4)
- Alexandra(4)
- Queenstown(4)
- City Rise(3)
- Milton(3)
- Andersons Bay(3)
- Wakari(3)
- Cromwell(3)
- Maori Hill(2)
- Outram(2)
- Pine Hill(2)
- Ranfurly(2)
- Mornington(2)
- Musselburgh(2)
- North East Valley(2)
- Palmerston(2)
- Tapanui(2)
- Roslyn(2)
- St Clair(2)
- Green Island(2)
- Fairfield(2)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best school in Waitaki District?
Maheno School is the highest-ranked school in Waitaki District with a Success Index (NZ) of 60.3 out of 100 (Top 50% of full primary schools in New Zealand).
How many schools are in Waitaki District?
Waitaki District has 19 schools (10 full primary, 3 secondary (year 9-15), 4 contributing, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary (year 7-15)) educating 3,447 students in 2026.
What is the typical Equity Index (EQI) in Waitaki District?
The median Equity Index (EQI) across schools in Waitaki District is 461. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.