Ferndale Te Ahu vs St Albans School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 1.4 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ferndale Te Ahu
Merivale · State special school
140 students
St Albans School
St Albans · State contributing · Years 1–6
599 students
| Measure | Ferndale Te Ahu Merivale, Canterbury | St Albans School St Albans, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | – Not rated | 70 Top 25% |
| Region rank | – | #57 of 187 |
| National rank | – | #400 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Special School | Contributing |
| Year range | – | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 140 | 599 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 521 | 414 |
| Total roll | 140 | 599 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 14.9% | -7.1% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 32.1% | 15.2% |
| Pacific students | 12.1% | 3.8% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Merivale | St Albans |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.ferndaleschool.co.nz | www.stalbans.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Albans School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (414 vs 521).
- •St Albans School does better on roll size (599 vs 140).
- •Ferndale Te Ahu does better on roll growth (5 years) (14.9% vs -7.1%).
- •St Albans School is the larger school with 599 students compared with 140.
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 Ferndale Te Ahu better than St Albans 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 St Albans School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Merivale and St Albans in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Ferndale Te Ahu: 521. St Albans School: 414. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Ferndale Te Ahu and St Albans School rank in Canterbury?
Ferndale Te Ahu is unranked and St Albans School is 57th of 187 among special school schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).