Aquinas College vs Bethlehem College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 5.2 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Aquinas College
Pyes Pa · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
833 students
Bethlehem College
Bethlehem · State integrated composite · Years 1–13
2,108 students
| Measure | Aquinas College Pyes Pa, Bay of Plenty | Bethlehem College Bethlehem, Bay of Plenty |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 86 Top 5% | 84 Top 10% |
| Region rank | #1 of 34 | #2 of 34 |
| National rank | #18 of 486 | #25 of 486 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Composite |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 833 | 2,108 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 402 | 409 |
| Total roll | 833 | 2,108 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 6% | 12.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 97.3% | 93.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 91.2% | 80.6% |
| Māori students | 16.6% | 10.4% |
| Pacific students | 3.4% | 2.4% |
| International students | 2.9% | 5.2% |
| suburb or town | Pyes Pa | Bethlehem |
| region | Bay of Plenty | Bay of Plenty |
| Website | www.aquinas.school.nz | www.beth.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Aquinas College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (85.7 vs 84.3).
- •Aquinas College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (402 vs 409).
- •Bethlehem College does better on roll size (2,108 vs 833).
- •Bethlehem College does better on roll growth (5 years) (12.5% vs 6%).
- •Aquinas College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (97.3% vs 93.5%).
- •Bethlehem College is the larger school with 2,108 students compared with 833.
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 Aquinas College better than Bethlehem College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Aquinas College ranks higher (85.7 vs 84.3 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 Aquinas College and Bethlehem College?
About 5.2 km in a straight line, between Pyes Pa and Bethlehem in Bay of Plenty.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Aquinas College: 402. Bethlehem College: 409. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Aquinas College and Bethlehem College rank in Bay of Plenty?
Aquinas College is 1st of 34 and Bethlehem College is 2nd of 34 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Bay of Plenty on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).