James Hargest College
🇳🇿 Official data · 2026Invercargill, Southland 9810 · Invercargill City
#1 of 14 secondary (year 7-15) schools in Southland
#130 of 486 nationally
About James Hargest College
James Hargest College is a state secondary (year 7-15) located in Invercargill, in the Invercargill City territorial authority of Southland, New Zealand. It caters for Years 7–13. In 2026 it enrolled 1,887 students. Government-funded schools, free to attend apart from donations and activity fees.
Its Success Index (NZ) is 66.0 out of 100, placing it in the top 50% of secondary (year 7-15) schools in New Zealand and 1st of 14 ranked secondary (year 7-15) schools in Southland. Its strongest component is roll size (94th percentile), and its weakest is school leavers with university entrance (45th percentile).
Other published figures: māori students 19.7%; pacific students 3.6%; international students 1.3%.
There are 15 schools in Invercargill; James Hargest College ranks 2nd of 12 scored schools there.
Success Index (NZ) breakdown
Each component is a percentile against secondary (year 7-15) schools across New Zealand.
- Equity Index (fewer barriers is higher) (45%)445
- Roll size (10%)1,887
- Roll growth (5 years) (15%)4%
- School leavers with NCEA Level 2+ (20%)82.6%
- School leavers with University Entrance (10%)56.2%
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 James Hargest College by the official sources.
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 445
- Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
- Total roll
- 1,887
- Total enrolled students.
- Roll growth (5 yrs)
- 4%
- Change in total roll over five years.
- Leavers with NCEA Level 2+
- 82.6%
- Share of school leavers who attained at least NCEA Level 2 before leaving.
- Leavers with University Entrance
- 56.2%
- Share of school leavers who attained the University Entrance award.
- Māori students
- 19.7%
- Share of roll identifying as Māori.
- Pacific students
- 3.6%
- Share of roll identifying as Pacific peoples.
- International students
- 1.3%
- Share of roll who are international fee-paying students.
Total roll trend
How total roll at James Hargest College has changed over time.
Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ trend
How leavers with ncea level 2+ at James Hargest College has changed over time.
Leavers with University Entrance trend
How leavers with university entrance at James Hargest College has changed over time.
Free academic assessment
Is your child on track for NCEA?
Success Tutoring runs personalised English and Maths tutoring for Years 1–13 in New Zealand. Start with a free assessment mapped to the New Zealand Curriculum.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Schools near James Hargest College
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (NZ).
Waverley Park School
Glengarry · State contributing · Years 1–6
263 students · 658 m away
Salford School
Hargest · State contributing · Years 1–6
250 students · 809 m away
St Theresa's School (Invercargill)
Invercargill · State integrated contributing · Years 1–6
277 students · 1.3 km away
Windsor North School
Windsor · State contributing · Years 1–6
326 students · 1.4 km away
Ascot Community School
Hawthorndale · State full primary · Years 1–8
237 students · 1.8 km away
Murihiku Young Parents' Learning Centre
Invercargill · State teen parent unit
· 1.8 km away
Southland Boys' High School
Invercargill · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
1,078 students · 2.0 km away
Waihopai School
Gladstone · State contributing · Years 1–6
354 students · 2.3 km away
St John's Girls' School (Invercargill)
Invercargill · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
126 students · 2.9 km away
Verdon College
Invercargill · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
684 students · 3.0 km away
Similar schools
State secondary (year 7-15) schools in Southland with a comparable Equity Index (EQI).
Fiordland College
Te Anau · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
307 students
Central Southland College
Winton · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
659 students
Southland Girls' High School
Georgetown · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
1,076 students
Northern Southland College
Lumsden · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
218 students
Southland Boys' High School
Invercargill · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
1,078 students
Menzies College
Wyndham · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
347 students
Frequently asked questions
Is James Hargest College a good school?
James Hargest College has a Success Index (NZ) of 66.0 out of 100 (Top 50% of secondary (year 7-15) schools in New Zealand) and ranks #1 of 14 in Southland. 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 James Hargest College rank in Southland?
James Hargest College ranks #1 of 14 secondary (year 7-15) schools in Southland and #130 of 486 nationally on the Success Index (NZ) (2026 data).
How many students attend James Hargest College?
James Hargest College had 1,887 students in 2026, a change of +4% over five years.
Is James Hargest College a primary school or a secondary school?
James Hargest College is classified as a secondary (year 7-15) covering Years 7–13. It is a state school.
What other schools are near James Hargest College?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of James Hargest College; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (NZ) and distance, and can be compared side by side.