Grantlea Downs School vs St Joseph's School (Timaru)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 947 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Grantlea Downs School
Marchwiel · State full primary · Years 1–8
309 students
St Joseph's School (Timaru)
Timaru · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
218 students
| Measure | Grantlea Downs School Marchwiel, Canterbury | St Joseph's School (Timaru) Timaru, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 31 Lower 50% | 69 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #180 of 187 | #60 of 187 |
| National rank | #1305 of 1,559 | #420 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 309 | 218 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 498 | 403 |
| Total roll | 309 | 218 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -8.2% | -0.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 29.8% | 11% |
| Pacific students | 6.8% | 2.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Marchwiel | Timaru |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.grantleadowns.school.nz | www.stjosephstimaru.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School (Timaru) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (69.0 vs 30.9).
- •St Joseph's School (Timaru) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (403 vs 498).
- •Grantlea Downs School does better on roll size (309 vs 218).
- •St Joseph's School (Timaru) does better on roll growth (5 years) (-0.5% vs -8.2%).
- •Grantlea Downs School is the larger school with 309 students compared with 218.
- •Grantlea Downs School is a state school while St Joseph's School (Timaru) is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
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 Grantlea Downs School better than St Joseph's School (Timaru)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Joseph's School (Timaru) ranks higher (69.0 vs 30.9 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Grantlea Downs School and St Joseph's School (Timaru)?
About 947 m in a straight line, between Marchwiel and Timaru in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Grantlea Downs School: 498. St Joseph's School (Timaru): 403. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Grantlea Downs School and St Joseph's School (Timaru) rank in Canterbury?
Grantlea Downs School is 180th of 187 and St Joseph's School (Timaru) is 60th of 187 among full primary schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).