Top 15 state schools in Nelson (2026)
Government schools across all year levels. Ranked by the Success Index (NZ) from official New Zealand data; 15 schools shown.
- 169Clifton Terrace SchoolNelson · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 406 · 280 students
- 266Nelson College For GirlsNelson · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 442 · 956 students
- 365Hampden Street SchoolNelson · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 424 · 451 students
- 463Nelson Central SchoolNelson · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 425 · 380 students
- 562Enner Glynn SchoolStoke · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 425 · 329 students
- 661Nayland CollegeStoke · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 462 · 1,270 students
- 755Nelson CollegeNelson · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 441 · 1,009 students
- 854Te Puna Wānanga o Te Wairepo – Victory Primary SchoolNelson · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 469 · 366 students
- 950Nelson IntermediateNelson · State IntermediateEquity Index (EQI) 454 · 415 students
- 1049Tahunanui SchoolTahunanui · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 474 · 278 students
- 1147Birchwood SchoolStoke · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 456 · 251 students
- 1246Nayland Primary SchoolStoke · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 462 · 389 students
- 1343Broadgreen IntermediateStoke · State IntermediateEquity Index (EQI) 471 · 490 students
- 1435Stoke SchoolStoke · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 484 · 199 students
- 1527Auckland Point SchoolNelson · State ContributingEquity Index (EQI) 501 · 85 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (NZ) | Equity Index (EQI) | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clifton Terrace School Nelson · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 68.5 Top 25% | 406 | 280 |
| 2 | Nelson College For Girls Nelson · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 66.0 Top 50% | 442 | 956 |
| 3 | Hampden Street School Nelson · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 64.7 Top 50% | 424 | 451 |
| 4 | Nelson Central School Nelson · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 63.3 Top 50% | 425 | 380 |
| 5 | Enner Glynn School Stoke · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 62.3 Top 50% | 425 | 329 |
| 6 | Nayland College Stoke · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 60.5 Top 50% | 462 | 1,270 |
| 7 | Nelson College Nelson · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 55.3 Top 50% | 441 | 1,009 |
| 8 | Te Puna Wānanga o Te Wairepo – Victory Primary School Nelson · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 53.8 Top 50% | 469 | 366 |
| 9 | Nelson Intermediate Nelson · Intermediate · Years 7–8 | State | 49.7 Top 50% | 454 | 415 |
| 10 | Tahunanui School Tahunanui · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 49.4 Top 50% | 474 | 278 |
| 11 | Birchwood School Stoke · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 46.7 Lower 50% | 456 | 251 |
| 12 | Nayland Primary School Stoke · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 46.1 Lower 50% | 462 | 389 |
| 13 | Broadgreen Intermediate Stoke · Intermediate · Years 7–8 | State | 43.4 Lower 50% | 471 | 490 |
| 14 | Stoke School Stoke · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 34.8 Lower 50% | 484 | 199 |
| 15 | Auckland Point School Nelson · Contributing · Years 1–6 | State | 27.1 Lower 50% | 501 | 85 |
Clifton Terrace School in Nelson leads the 2026 list of state schools in Nelson with a Success Index (NZ) of 68.5. Of the 15 schools shown, 15 are state.
Scores are percentiles within school type, so a primary school and a secondary school with the same score sit at the same point in their own distributions. Use the rankings to build a shortlist, then visit the schools and ask how they support students at your child's level.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best state school in Nelson?
Clifton Terrace School in Nelson ranks first among state schools in Nelson with a Success Index (NZ) of 68.5 out of 100 (Equity Index (EQI): 406).
How are state schools in Nelson 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.