Auckland Girls' Grammar School vs St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Auckland, New Zealand, 1.3 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Auckland Girls' Grammar School
Newton · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,185 students
St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
Ponsonby · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
1,005 students
| Measure | Auckland Girls' Grammar School Newton, Auckland | St Mary's College (Ponsonby) Ponsonby, Auckland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 65 Top 50% | 81 Top 10% |
| Region rank | #49 of 101 | #23 of 101 |
| National rank | #140 of 486 | #38 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 1,185 | 1,005 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 485 | 388 |
| Total roll | 1,185 | 1,005 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 22.6% | -4.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 96.3% | 96.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 89.9% | 91.6% |
| Māori students | 21.9% | 12% |
| Pacific students | 67.4% | 25.6% |
| International students | 1.3% | 5.3% |
| suburb or town | Newton | Ponsonby |
| region | Auckland | Auckland |
| Website | www.aggs.school.nz | www.stmaryak.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Mary's College (Ponsonby) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (80.6 vs 64.6).
- •St Mary's College (Ponsonby) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (388 vs 485).
- •Auckland Girls' Grammar School does better on roll size (1,185 vs 1,005).
- •Auckland Girls' Grammar School does better on roll growth (5 years) (22.6% vs -4.9%).
- •St Mary's College (Ponsonby) does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (96.9% vs 96.3%).
- •Auckland Girls' Grammar School is the larger school with 1,185 students compared with 1,005.
- •Auckland Girls' Grammar School is a state school while St Mary's College (Ponsonby) is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Is Auckland Girls' Grammar School better than St Mary's College (Ponsonby)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Mary's College (Ponsonby) ranks higher (80.6 vs 64.6 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Auckland Girls' Grammar School and St Mary's College (Ponsonby)?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Newton and Ponsonby in Auckland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Auckland Girls' Grammar School: 485. St Mary's College (Ponsonby): 388. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Auckland Girls' Grammar School and St Mary's College (Ponsonby) rank in Auckland?
Auckland Girls' Grammar School is 49th of 101 and St Mary's College (Ponsonby) is 23rd of 101 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Auckland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).