Riverdale School (Gisborne) vs Sonrise Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Gisborne, New Zealand, 899 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Riverdale School (Gisborne)
Gisborne · State contributing · Years 1–6
159 students
Sonrise Christian School
Gisborne · State integrated composite · Years 1–13
145 students
| Measure | Riverdale School (Gisborne) Gisborne, Gisborne | Sonrise Christian School Gisborne, Gisborne |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 16 Lower 50% | 45 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #18 of 18 | #2 of 15 |
| National rank | #1543 of 1,559 | #265 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Contributing | Composite |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 159 | 145 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 552 | 480 |
| Total roll | 159 | 145 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -21.3% | 31.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 83% | 40.7% |
| Pacific students | 8.2% | 11.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Gisborne | Gisborne |
| region | Gisborne | Gisborne |
| Website | riverdalegis.school.nz/ | www.sonrise.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Sonrise Christian School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (45.3 vs 16.0).
- •Sonrise Christian School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (480 vs 552).
- •Riverdale School (Gisborne) does better on roll size (159 vs 145).
- •Sonrise Christian School does better on roll growth (5 years) (31.4% vs -21.3%).
- •Riverdale School (Gisborne) is the larger school with 159 students compared with 145.
- •Riverdale School (Gisborne) is a state school while Sonrise Christian School 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 Riverdale School (Gisborne) better than Sonrise Christian School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Sonrise Christian School ranks higher (45.3 vs 16.0 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 Riverdale School (Gisborne) and Sonrise Christian School?
About 899 m in a straight line, between Gisborne and Gisborne in Gisborne.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Riverdale School (Gisborne): 552. Sonrise Christian School: 480. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Riverdale School (Gisborne) and Sonrise Christian School rank in Gisborne?
Riverdale School (Gisborne) is 18th of 18 and Sonrise Christian School is 2nd of 15 among contributing schools in Gisborne on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).