Birkenhead College vs Glenfield College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 9-15) schools in Auckland, New Zealand, 2.5 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Birkenhead College
Birkenhead · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
487 students
Glenfield College
Glenfield · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
782 students
| Measure | Birkenhead College Birkenhead, Auckland | Glenfield College Glenfield, Auckland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 50 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #70 of 101 | #54 of 101 |
| National rank | #231 of 486 | #165 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 487 | 782 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 464 | 466 |
| Total roll | 487 | 782 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -2.4% | 56.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 82.2% | 85.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 68.2% | 72.1% |
| Māori students | 21.4% | 13.9% |
| Pacific students | 23% | 11.6% |
| International students | 6.8% | 1.9% |
| suburb or town | Birkenhead | Glenfield |
| region | Auckland | Auckland |
| Website | www.birkenhead.school.nz/ | www.gc.ac.nz/ |
The verdict
- •Glenfield College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (60.7 vs 50.2).
- •Birkenhead College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (464 vs 466).
- •Glenfield College does better on roll size (782 vs 487).
- •Glenfield College does better on roll growth (5 years) (56.9% vs -2.4%).
- •Glenfield College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (85.7% vs 82.2%).
- •Glenfield College is the larger school with 782 students compared with 487.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Birkenhead College better than Glenfield College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Glenfield College ranks higher (60.7 vs 50.2 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 Birkenhead College and Glenfield College?
About 2.5 km in a straight line, between Birkenhead and Glenfield in Auckland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Birkenhead College: 464. Glenfield College: 466. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Birkenhead College and Glenfield College rank in Auckland?
Birkenhead College is 70th of 101 and Glenfield College is 54th of 101 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Auckland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).