Darfield High School vs Rolleston College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 26 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Darfield High School
Darfield · State secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
821 students
Rolleston College
Rolleston · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,963 students
| Measure | Darfield High School Darfield, Canterbury | Rolleston College Rolleston, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 64 Top 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #21 of 57 | #20 of 57 |
| National rank | #142 of 486 | #138 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 821 | 1,963 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 447 | 449 |
| Total roll | 821 | 1,963 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 2.8% | 94.3% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 88.1% | 83.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 50.5% | 56.6% |
| Māori students | 14.1% | 14.3% |
| Pacific students | 3.3% | 6.6% |
| International students | 3.3% | 1.4% |
| suburb or town | Darfield | Rolleston |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.darfield.school.nz | www.rollestoncollege.nz |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index (NZ) scores (64.4 vs 65.0).
- •Darfield High School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (447 vs 449).
- •Rolleston College does better on roll size (1,963 vs 821).
- •Rolleston College does better on roll growth (5 years) (94.3% vs 2.8%).
- •Darfield High School does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (88.1% vs 83.2%).
- •Rolleston College is the larger school with 1,963 students compared with 821.
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 Darfield High School better than Rolleston College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (NZ). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Darfield High School and Rolleston College?
About 26 km in a straight line, between Darfield and Rolleston in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Darfield High School: 447. Rolleston College: 449. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Darfield High School and Rolleston College rank in Canterbury?
Darfield High School is 21st of 57 and Rolleston College is 20th of 57 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).