Elmwood Normal School vs St Margaret's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 837 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Elmwood Normal School
Merivale · State contributing · Years 1–6
564 students
St Margaret's College
Merivale · Private composite · Years 1–13
866 students
| Measure | Elmwood Normal School Merivale, Canterbury | St Margaret's College Merivale, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 91 Top 5% | – Not rated |
| Region rank | #2 of 187 | – |
| National rank | #19 of 1,559 | – |
| Sector | State | Private |
| Type | Contributing | Composite |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 564 | 866 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 376 | – |
| Total roll | 564 | 866 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 1% | 6.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | 96.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | 90% |
| Māori students | 6% | 7% |
| Pacific students | 3.7% | 0.5% |
| International students | 1.1% | 2.3% |
| suburb or town | Merivale | Merivale |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.elmwood.school.nz | www.stmargarets.school.nz/ |
The verdict
- •St Margaret's College does better on roll size (866 vs 564).
- •St Margaret's College does better on roll growth (5 years) (6.4% vs 1%).
- •St Margaret's College is the larger school with 866 students compared with 564.
- •Elmwood Normal School is a state school while St Margaret's College is a private school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Elmwood Normal School is co-educational and St Margaret's College is girls.
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 Elmwood Normal School better than St Margaret's 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 Elmwood Normal School and St Margaret's College?
About 837 m in a straight line, between Merivale and Merivale in Canterbury.
How do Elmwood Normal School and St Margaret's College rank in Canterbury?
Elmwood Normal School is 2nd of 187 and St Margaret's College is unranked among contributing schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).