Palmerston North Boys' High School
🇳🇿 Official data · 2026Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui 4442 · Palmerston North City
#6 of 33 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui
#123 of 486 nationally
About Palmerston North Boys' High School
Palmerston North Boys' High School is a state secondary (year 9-15) located in Palmerston North, in the Palmerston North City territorial authority of Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand. It caters for Years 9–13 and is a boys' school. In 2026 it enrolled 1,794 students. Government-funded schools, free to attend apart from donations and activity fees.
Its Success Index (NZ) is 66.7 out of 100, placing it in the top 25% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand and 6th of 33 ranked secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui. Its strongest component is roll size (93th percentile), and its weakest is school leavers with ncea level 2+ (47th percentile).
Other published figures: māori students 24%; pacific students 10.1%; international students 2%.
There are 22 schools in Palmerston North; Palmerston North Boys' High School ranks 4th of 21 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%)441
- Roll size (10%)1,794
- Roll growth (5 years) (15%)7.5%
- School leavers with NCEA Level 2+ (20%)81.2%
- School leavers with University Entrance (10%)57.8%
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 Palmerston North Boys' High School by the official sources.
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 441
- Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
- Total roll
- 1,794
- Total enrolled students.
- Roll growth (5 yrs)
- 7.5%
- Change in total roll over five years.
- Leavers with NCEA Level 2+
- 81.2%
- Share of school leavers who attained at least NCEA Level 2 before leaving.
- Leavers with University Entrance
- 57.8%
- Share of school leavers who attained the University Entrance award.
- Māori students
- 24%
- Share of roll identifying as Māori.
- Pacific students
- 10.1%
- Share of roll identifying as Pacific peoples.
- International students
- 2%
- Share of roll who are international fee-paying students.
Total roll trend
How total roll at Palmerston North Boys' High School has changed over time.
Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ trend
How leavers with ncea level 2+ at Palmerston North Boys' High School has changed over time.
Leavers with University Entrance trend
How leavers with university entrance at Palmerston North Boys' High School has changed over time.
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Schools near Palmerston North Boys' High School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (NZ).
Queen Elizabeth College
Palmerston North · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
408 students · 463 m away
Mana Tamariki
Palmerston North CBD · State composite · Years 1–13
70 students · 547 m away
Central Normal School
Palmerston North · State contributing · Years 1–6
485 students · 630 m away
Russell Street School
Palmerston North · State contributing · Years 1–6
334 students · 930 m away
Carncot Independent School
Palmerston North · Private full primary · Years 1–8
128 students · 1.0 km away
Palmerston North Adventist Christian School
Palmerston North · State integrated contributing · Years 1–6
103 students · 1.5 km away
Terrace End School
Terrace End · State contributing · Years 1–6
222 students · 1.5 km away
St Mary's School (P North)
Roslyn · State integrated contributing · Years 1–6
222 students · 1.5 km away
Palmerston North Intermediate
Palmerston North · State intermediate · Years 7–8
751 students · 1.5 km away
St Peter's College (Palmerston North)
Milson · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
789 students · 1.6 km away
Similar schools
State secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui with a comparable Equity Index (EQI).
Mana Tamariki
Palmerston North CBD · State composite · Years 1–13
70 students
Palmerston North Girls' High School
Palmerston North · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,318 students
Feilding High School
Feilding · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,650 students
Whanganui High School
Whanganui · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,475 students
Freyberg High School
Roslyn · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
936 students
Awatapu College
West End · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
869 students
Frequently asked questions
Is Palmerston North Boys' High School a good school?
Palmerston North Boys' High School has a Success Index (NZ) of 66.7 out of 100 (Top 25% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand) and ranks #6 of 33 in Manawatū-Whanganui. 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 Palmerston North Boys' High School rank in Manawatū-Whanganui?
Palmerston North Boys' High School ranks #6 of 33 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Manawatū-Whanganui and #123 of 486 nationally on the Success Index (NZ) (2026 data).
How many students attend Palmerston North Boys' High School?
Palmerston North Boys' High School had 1,794 students in 2026, a change of +8% over five years.
Is Palmerston North Boys' High School a primary school or a secondary school?
Palmerston North Boys' High School is classified as a secondary (year 9-15) covering Years 9–13. It is a state school.
What other schools are near Palmerston North Boys' High School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of Palmerston North Boys' High School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (NZ) and distance, and can be compared side by side.