Birkenhead School vs St Mary's School (Northcote)
A head-to-head comparison of two contributing schools in Auckland, New Zealand, 1.4 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Birkenhead School
Birkenhead ยท State contributing ยท Years 1โ6
471 students
St Mary's School (Northcote)
Northcote ยท State integrated contributing ยท Years 1โ6
343 students
| Measure | Birkenhead School Birkenhead, Auckland | St Mary's School (Northcote) Northcote, Auckland |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 80 Top 10% | 79 Top 10% |
| Region rank | #82 of 390 | #108 of 390 |
| National rank | #131 of 1,559 | #185 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Contributing | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 1โ6 | Years 1โ6 |
| Students | 471 | 343 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 366 | 365 |
| Total roll | 471 | 343 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -5.2% | -18.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with University Entrance | โ | โ |
| Mฤori students | 5.1% | 7.6% |
| Pacific students | 2.5% | 7.6% |
| International students | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| suburb or town | Birkenhead | Northcote |
| region | Auckland | Auckland |
| Website | www.birkenheadprimary.school.nz/ | www.sms.school.nz/ |
The verdict
- โขBirkenhead School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (80.4 vs 78.7).
- โขSt Mary's School (Northcote) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (365 vs 366).
- โขBirkenhead School does better on roll size (471 vs 343).
- โขBirkenhead School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-5.2% vs -18.4%).
- โขBirkenhead School is the larger school with 471 students compared with 343.
- โขBirkenhead School is a state school while St Mary's School (Northcote) 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Birkenhead School better than St Mary's School (Northcote)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Birkenhead School ranks higher (80.4 vs 78.7 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 School and St Mary's School (Northcote)?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Birkenhead and Northcote in Auckland.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Birkenhead School: 366. St Mary's School (Northcote): 365. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Birkenhead School and St Mary's School (Northcote) rank in Auckland?
Birkenhead School is 82nd of 390 and St Mary's School (Northcote) is 108th of 390 among contributing schools in Auckland on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).