Western Heights High School
🇳🇿 Official data · 2026Rotorua Central, Bay of Plenty 3040 · Rotorua District
#20 of 34 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Bay of Plenty
#342 of 486 nationally
About Western Heights High School
Western Heights High School is a state secondary (year 9-15) located in Rotorua Central, in the Rotorua District territorial authority of Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. It caters for Years 9–13. In 2026 it enrolled 1,187 students. Government-funded schools, free to attend apart from donations and activity fees.
Its Success Index (NZ) is 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the lower 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand and 20th of 34 ranked secondary (year 9-15) schools in Bay of Plenty. Its strongest component is roll size (81th percentile), and its weakest is roll growth (5 years) (14th percentile).
Other published figures: māori students 52.5%; pacific students 7.7%; international students 1.7%.
There are 3 schools in Rotorua Central; Western Heights High School ranks 3rd of 3 scored schools there.
Success Index (NZ) breakdown
Each component is a percentile against secondary (year 9-15) schools across New Zealand.
- Equity Index (fewer barriers is higher) (45%)499
- Roll size (10%)1,187
- Roll growth (5 years) (15%)-2.7%
- School leavers with NCEA Level 2+ (20%)72%
- School leavers with University Entrance (10%)50.8%
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published data about a school community. It is not a measure of teaching quality. Read the methodology.
Published measures
All figures published for Western Heights High School by the official sources.
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 499
- Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
- Total roll
- 1,187
- Total enrolled students.
- Roll growth (5 yrs)
- -2.7%
- Change in total roll over five years.
- Leavers with NCEA Level 2+
- 72%
- Share of school leavers who attained at least NCEA Level 2 before leaving.
- Leavers with University Entrance
- 50.8%
- Share of school leavers who attained the University Entrance award.
- Māori students
- 52.5%
- Share of roll identifying as Māori.
- Pacific students
- 7.7%
- Share of roll identifying as Pacific peoples.
- International students
- 1.7%
- Share of roll who are international fee-paying students.
Total roll trend
How total roll at Western Heights High School has changed over time.
Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ trend
How leavers with ncea level 2+ at Western Heights High School has changed over time.
Leavers with University Entrance trend
How leavers with university entrance at Western Heights High School has changed over time.
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Schools near Western Heights High School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (NZ).
Rotorua Specialist School - Te Kura Pūkenga o Rotorua
Selwyn Heights · State special school
111 students · 388 m away
Selwyn School
Rotorua · State contributing · Years 1–6
339 students · 511 m away
Kaitao Intermediate
Western Heights · State intermediate · Years 7–8
257 students · 663 m away
TKKM o Te Koutu
Rotorua Central · State composite · Years 1–13
383 students · 1.2 km away
St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua)
Western Heights · State integrated contributing · Years 1–6
110 students · 1.3 km away
Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)
Western Heights · State contributing · Years 1–6
432 students · 1.4 km away
Te Rangihakahaka Centre for Science and Technology
Rotorua · State composite (year 1-10) · Years 1–13
105 students · 1.5 km away
Kawaha Point School
Kawaha Point · State contributing · Years 1–6
230 students · 1.6 km away
Aorangi School (Rotorua)
Pukehangi · State contributing · Years 1–6
81 students · 1.8 km away
Awhina School/ Activity Centre
Pukehangi · State activity centre
· 2.1 km away
Similar schools
State secondary (year 9-15) schools in Bay of Plenty with a comparable Equity Index (EQI).
Te Kura o Te Moutere O Matakana
Matakana Island · State composite · Years 1–13
32 students
Te Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai
Hannahs Bay · State composite · Years 1–13
106 students
Trident High School
Whakatane · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
829 students
Rotorua Boys' High School
Rotorua · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,138 students
TKKM o Ruamata
Rotokawa · State composite · Years 1–13
272 students
Te Puke High School
Te Puke · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,078 students
Frequently asked questions
Is Western Heights High School a good school?
Western Heights High School has a Success Index (NZ) of 34.9 out of 100 (Lower 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand) and ranks #20 of 34 in Bay of Plenty. The index summarises published data about the school community and, where available, attainment; it does not measure teaching quality, so visit the school and ask about support at your child's level.
Where does Western Heights High School rank in Bay of Plenty?
Western Heights High School ranks #20 of 34 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Bay of Plenty and #342 of 486 nationally on the Success Index (NZ) (2026 data).
How many students attend Western Heights High School?
Western Heights High School had 1,187 students in 2026, a change of -3% over five years.
Is Western Heights High School a primary school or a secondary school?
Western Heights High School is classified as a secondary (year 9-15) covering Years 9–13. It is a state school.
What other schools are near Western Heights High School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of Western Heights High School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (NZ) and distance, and can be compared side by side.