Hillcrest High School
🇳🇿 Official data · 2026Hillcrest, Waikato 3251 · Hamilton City
#13 of 58 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato
#155 of 486 nationally
About Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School is a state secondary (year 9-15) located in Hillcrest, in the Hamilton City territorial authority of Waikato, New Zealand. It caters for Years 9–13. In 2026 it enrolled 1,801 students. Government-funded schools, free to attend apart from donations and activity fees.
Its Success Index (NZ) is 61.8 out of 100, placing it in the top 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand and 13th of 58 ranked secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato. Its strongest component is roll size (93th percentile), and its weakest is school leavers with ncea level 2+ (41th percentile).
Other published figures: māori students 14.9%; pacific students 4.9%; international students 2.5%.
There are 8 schools in Hillcrest; Hillcrest High School ranks 5th of 8 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%)451
- Roll size (10%)1,801
- Roll growth (5 years) (15%)2.6%
- School leavers with NCEA Level 2+ (20%)79.2%
- School leavers with University Entrance (10%)56%
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 Hillcrest High School by the official sources.
- Equity Index (EQI)
- 451
- Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
- Total roll
- 1,801
- Total enrolled students.
- Roll growth (5 yrs)
- 2.6%
- Change in total roll over five years.
- Leavers with NCEA Level 2+
- 79.2%
- Share of school leavers who attained at least NCEA Level 2 before leaving.
- Leavers with University Entrance
- 56%
- Share of school leavers who attained the University Entrance award.
- Māori students
- 14.9%
- Share of roll identifying as Māori.
- Pacific students
- 4.9%
- Share of roll identifying as Pacific peoples.
- International students
- 2.5%
- Share of roll who are international fee-paying students.
Total roll trend
How total roll at Hillcrest High School has changed over time.
Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ trend
How leavers with ncea level 2+ at Hillcrest High School has changed over time.
Leavers with University Entrance trend
How leavers with university entrance at Hillcrest High School has changed over time.
Free academic assessment
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Schools near Hillcrest High School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (NZ).
Silverdale Normal School
Hillcrest · State contributing · Years 1–6
412 students · 268 m away
TKKM o Toku Mapihi Maurea
Hillcrest · State full primary · Years 1–8
97 students · 552 m away
St John's College (Hillcrest)
Hillcrest · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
933 students · 802 m away
Hillcrest Normal School
Hillcrest · State contributing · Years 1–6
643 students · 979 m away
Berkley Normal Middle School
Hillcrest · State restricted composite (year 7-10) · Years 7–10
770 students · 1.0 km away
Knighton Normal School
Hillcrest · State contributing · Years 1–6
699 students · 1.4 km away
Hamilton Seventh-Day Adventist School
Hillcrest · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
121 students · 1.8 km away
Patricia Avenue School
Hamilton East · State special school
210 students · 2.3 km away
Peachgrove Intermediate
Hamilton East · State intermediate · Years 7–8
531 students · 2.6 km away
Tai Wananga
Hamilton · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
165 students · 2.7 km away
Similar schools
State secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato with a comparable Equity Index (EQI).
Rototuna Senior High School
Rototuna · State secondary (year 11-15)
1,008 students
Raglan Area School
Raglan · State composite · Years 1–13
611 students
Cambridge High School
Cambridge · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,743 students
Whangamata Area School
Whangamata · State composite · Years 1–13
561 students
Taupo-nui-a-Tia College
Taupo · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,186 students
Hamilton Girls' High School
Hamilton · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,783 students
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillcrest High School a good school?
Hillcrest High School has a Success Index (NZ) of 61.8 out of 100 (Top 50% of secondary (year 9-15) schools in New Zealand) and ranks #13 of 58 in Waikato. 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 Hillcrest High School rank in Waikato?
Hillcrest High School ranks #13 of 58 secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato and #155 of 486 nationally on the Success Index (NZ) (2026 data).
How many students attend Hillcrest High School?
Hillcrest High School had 1,801 students in 2026, a change of +3% over five years.
Is Hillcrest High School a primary school or a secondary school?
Hillcrest High School is classified as a secondary (year 9-15) covering Years 9–13. It is a state school.
What other schools are near Hillcrest High School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of Hillcrest High School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (NZ) and distance, and can be compared side by side.