Ferndale Te Ahu vs Selwyn House School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 121 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ferndale Te Ahu
Merivale · State special school
140 students
Selwyn House School
Merivale · Private full primary · Years 1–8
310 students
| Measure | Ferndale Te Ahu Merivale, Canterbury | Selwyn House School Merivale, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| Region rank | – | – |
| National rank | – | – |
| Sector | State | Private |
| Type | Special School | Full Primary |
| Year range | – | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 140 | 310 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 521 | – |
| Total roll | 140 | 310 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 14.9% | 10.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 32.1% | 2.6% |
| Pacific students | 12.1% | 1.6% |
| International students | 0% | 0.6% |
| suburb or town | Merivale | Merivale |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.ferndaleschool.co.nz | www.selwynhouse.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Selwyn House School does better on roll size (310 vs 140).
- •Ferndale Te Ahu does better on roll growth (5 years) (14.9% vs 10.2%).
- •Selwyn House School is the larger school with 310 students compared with 140.
- •Ferndale Te Ahu is a state school while Selwyn House School is a private school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Ferndale Te Ahu is co-educational and Selwyn House School is girls.
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 Ferndale Te Ahu better than Selwyn House School?
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 Ferndale Te Ahu and Selwyn House School?
About 121 m in a straight line, between Merivale and Merivale in Canterbury.
How do Ferndale Te Ahu and Selwyn House School rank in Canterbury?
Ferndale Te Ahu is unranked and Selwyn House School is unranked among special school schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).