Riccarton High School vs Villa Maria College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 849 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Riccarton High School
Sockburn · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,111 students
Villa Maria College
Upper Riccarton · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
831 students
| Measure | Riccarton High School Sockburn, Canterbury | Villa Maria College Upper Riccarton, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 62 Top 50% | 77 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #22 of 57 | #10 of 57 |
| National rank | #156 of 486 | #62 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 1,111 | 831 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 440 | 411 |
| Total roll | 1,111 | 831 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 1.7% | -2.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 75.2% | 98.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 55.4% | 89.3% |
| Māori students | 10% | 12.9% |
| Pacific students | 7.7% | 8.4% |
| International students | 4.1% | 3.1% |
| suburb or town | Sockburn | Upper Riccarton |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.riccarton.school.nz | www.villa.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Villa Maria College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (77.2 vs 61.8).
- •Villa Maria College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (411 vs 440).
- •Riccarton High School does better on roll size (1,111 vs 831).
- •Riccarton High School does better on roll growth (5 years) (1.7% vs -2.4%).
- •Villa Maria College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (98.5% vs 75.2%).
- •Riccarton High School is the larger school with 1,111 students compared with 831.
- •Riccarton High School is a state school while Villa Maria College is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Riccarton High School is co-educational and Villa Maria 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 Riccarton High School better than Villa Maria College?
On the Success Index (NZ), Villa Maria College ranks higher (77.2 vs 61.8 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 Riccarton High School and Villa Maria College?
About 849 m in a straight line, between Sockburn and Upper Riccarton in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Riccarton High School: 440. Villa Maria College: 411. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Riccarton High School and Villa Maria College rank in Canterbury?
Riccarton High School is 22nd of 57 and Villa Maria College is 10th of 57 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).