Ferndale Te Ahu vs St Margaret's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 227 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
St Margaret's College
Merivale · Private composite · Years 1–13
866 students
| Measure | Ferndale Te Ahu Merivale, Canterbury | St Margaret's College Merivale, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| Region rank | – | – |
| National rank | – | – |
| Sector | State | Private |
| Type | Special School | Composite |
| Year range | – | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 140 | 866 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 521 | – |
| Total roll | 140 | 866 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 14.9% | 6.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | 96.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | 90% |
| Māori students | 32.1% | 7% |
| Pacific students | 12.1% | 0.5% |
| International students | 0% | 2.3% |
| suburb or town | Merivale | Merivale |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.ferndaleschool.co.nz | www.stmargarets.school.nz/ |
The verdict
- •St Margaret's College does better on roll size (866 vs 140).
- •Ferndale Te Ahu does better on roll growth (5 years) (14.9% vs 6.4%).
- •St Margaret's College is the larger school with 866 students compared with 140.
- •Ferndale Te Ahu is a state school while St Margaret's College is a private school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Ferndale Te Ahu 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 Ferndale Te Ahu 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 Ferndale Te Ahu and St Margaret's College?
About 227 m in a straight line, between Merivale and Merivale in Canterbury.
How do Ferndale Te Ahu and St Margaret's College rank in Canterbury?
Ferndale Te Ahu is unranked and St Margaret's College is unranked among special school schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).