Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki vs Thornton School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 5.7 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki
Edgecumbe · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
127 students
Thornton School
Thornton · State full primary · Years 1–8
163 students
| Measure | Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki Edgecumbe, Bay of Plenty | Thornton School Thornton, Bay of Plenty |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 16 Lower 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #30 of 34 | #49 of 101 |
| National rank | #465 of 486 | #929 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 127 | 163 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 530 | 451 |
| Total roll | 127 | 163 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -30.1% | -6.8% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 56.4% | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 38.5% | – |
| Māori students | 64.6% | 35% |
| Pacific students | 4.7% | 1.8% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Edgecumbe | Thornton |
| region | Bay of Plenty | Bay of Plenty |
| Website | rangitaikicollege.school.nz/ | www.thornton.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Thornton School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (47.9 vs 15.5).
- •Thornton School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (451 vs 530).
- •Thornton School does better on roll size (163 vs 127).
- •Thornton School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-6.8% vs -30.1%).
- •Thornton School is the larger school with 163 students compared with 127.
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 Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki better than Thornton School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Thornton School ranks higher (47.9 vs 15.5 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 Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki and Thornton School?
About 5.7 km in a straight line, between Edgecumbe and Thornton in Bay of Plenty.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki: 530. Thornton School: 451. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki and Thornton School rank in Bay of Plenty?
Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki is 30th of 34 and Thornton School is 49th of 101 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Bay of Plenty on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).