Highfield School vs St Joseph's School (Timaru)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 1.6 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Highfield School
Glenwood · State full primary · Years 1–8
316 students
St Joseph's School (Timaru)
Timaru · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
218 students
| Measure | Highfield School Glenwood, Canterbury | St Joseph's School (Timaru) Timaru, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 49 Lower 50% | 69 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #141 of 187 | #60 of 187 |
| National rank | #888 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 | 316 | 218 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 477 | 403 |
| Total roll | 316 | 218 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 13.6% | -0.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 22.2% | 11% |
| Pacific students | 10.8% | 2.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Glenwood | Timaru |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.highfield.school.nz | www.stjosephstimaru.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School (Timaru) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (69.0 vs 49.3).
- •St Joseph's School (Timaru) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (403 vs 477).
- •Highfield School does better on roll size (316 vs 218).
- •Highfield School does better on roll growth (5 years) (13.6% vs -0.5%).
- •Highfield School is the larger school with 316 students compared with 218.
- •Highfield 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 Highfield School better than St Joseph's School (Timaru)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Joseph's School (Timaru) ranks higher (69.0 vs 49.3 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 Highfield School and St Joseph's School (Timaru)?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Glenwood and Timaru in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Highfield School: 477. St Joseph's School (Timaru): 403. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Highfield School and St Joseph's School (Timaru) rank in Canterbury?
Highfield School is 141st of 187 and St Joseph's School (Timaru) is 60th of 187 among full primary schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).