Schools in Timaru, Canterbury (2026)
6 schools · 2,357 students · 3 state integrated, 3 state · median Equity Index (EQI) 464.
Timaru, in Canterbury, has 6 schools in New Zealand's 2026 data, together educating about 2,357 students. By level there are 3 full primary, 3 secondary (year 9-15); by sector 3 state integrated, 3 state.
The median Equity Index (EQI) across Timaru's schools is 464, above the Canterbury median of 440. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
6 of the 6 schools qualify for the Success Index (NZ). The highest-scoring is St Joseph's School (Timaru) (69.0, top 25% of full primary schools nationally), followed by Sacred Heart School (Timaru) (64.0, top 50% of full primary schools nationally), and Roncalli College (58.1, top 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools nationally). Scores are percentiles within school type, so compare a primary school with other primary schools.
The largest schools are Roncalli College (500 students), Timaru Girls' High School (484 students), Waimataitai School (475 students). One school is single-sex.
Ranked schools in Timaru
Ordered by Success Index (NZ). Rank positions shown on each profile are within New Zealand and Canterbury.
- 169St Joseph's School (Timaru)Timaru · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 403 · 218 students
- 264Sacred Heart School (Timaru)Timaru · State integrated Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 438 · 232 students
- 358Roncalli CollegeTimaru · State integrated Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 446 · 500 students
- 449Timaru Girls' High SchoolTimaru · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 474 · 484 students
- 546Waimataitai SchoolTimaru · State Full PrimaryEquity Index (EQI) 464 · 475 students
- 636Mountainview High SchoolTimaru · State Secondary (Year 9-15)Equity Index (EQI) 494 · 448 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (NZ) | Equity Index (EQI) | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Joseph's School (Timaru) Timaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 69.0 Top 25% | 403 | 218 |
| 2 | Sacred Heart School (Timaru) Timaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State integrated | 64.0 Top 50% | 438 | 232 |
| 3 | Roncalli College Timaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State integrated | 58.1 Top 50% | 446 | 500 |
| 4 | Timaru Girls' High School Timaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 48.5 Top 50% | 474 | 484 |
| 5 | Waimataitai School Timaru · Full Primary · Years 1–8 | State | 46.3 Lower 50% | 464 | 475 |
| 6 | Mountainview High School Timaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) · Years 9–13 | State | 35.6 Lower 50% | 494 | 448 |
Compare the top 4 schools in Timaru side by side →
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best school in Timaru?
St Joseph's School (Timaru) is the highest-ranked school in Timaru with a Success Index (NZ) of 69.0 out of 100 (Top 25% of full primary schools in New Zealand).
How many schools are in Timaru?
Timaru has 6 schools (3 full primary, 3 secondary (year 9-15)) educating 2,357 students in 2026.
What is the typical Equity Index (EQI) in Timaru?
The median Equity Index (EQI) across schools in Timaru is 464. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.