Cust School vs Fernside School
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 12 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Cust School
Cust · State full primary · Years 1–8
138 students
Fernside School
Fernside · State full primary · Years 1–8
271 students
| Measure | Cust School Cust, Canterbury | Fernside School Fernside, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 65 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #73 of 187 | #67 of 187 |
| National rank | #492 of 1,559 | #464 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 138 | 271 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 412 | 412 |
| Total roll | 138 | 271 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -14.9% | -2.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 12.3% | 10.3% |
| Pacific students | 1.4% | 0.4% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Cust | Fernside |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.cust.school.nz | www.fernside.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Fernside School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (66.7 vs 65.2).
- •Fernside School does better on roll size (271 vs 138).
- •Fernside School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-2.9% vs -14.9%).
- •Fernside School is the larger school with 271 students compared with 138.
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 Cust School better than Fernside School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Fernside School ranks higher (66.7 vs 65.2 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 Cust School and Fernside School?
About 12 km in a straight line, between Cust and Fernside in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Cust School: 412. Fernside School: 412. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Cust School and Fernside School rank in Canterbury?
Cust School is 73rd of 187 and Fernside School is 67th of 187 among full primary schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).