Cornerstone Christian School vs Whakarongo School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand, 2.2 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Cornerstone Christian School
Kelvin Grove · State integrated composite · Years 1–13
612 students
Whakarongo School
Palmerston North · State full primary · Years 1–8
490 students
| Measure | Cornerstone Christian School Kelvin Grove, Manawatū-Whanganui | Whakarongo School Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 80 Top 10% | 65 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #1 of 33 | #13 of 111 |
| National rank | #50 of 486 | #497 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State integrated | State |
| Type | Composite | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–13 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 612 | 490 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 417 | 424 |
| Total roll | 612 | 490 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 6.5% | -10.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 95.1% | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 78% | – |
| Māori students | 11.1% | 19.4% |
| Pacific students | 8.8% | 3.9% |
| International students | 0% | 0.6% |
| suburb or town | Kelvin Grove | Palmerston North |
| region | Manawatū-Whanganui | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Website | www.cornerstone.ac.nz | www.whakarongo.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Cornerstone Christian School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (79.5 vs 65.1).
- •Cornerstone Christian School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (417 vs 424).
- •Cornerstone Christian School does better on roll size (612 vs 490).
- •Cornerstone Christian School does better on roll growth (5 years) (6.5% vs -10.5%).
- •Cornerstone Christian School is the larger school with 612 students compared with 490.
- •Cornerstone Christian School is a state integrated school while Whakarongo School is a state 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 Cornerstone Christian School better than Whakarongo School?
On the Success Index (NZ), Cornerstone Christian School ranks higher (79.5 vs 65.1 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 Cornerstone Christian School and Whakarongo School?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Kelvin Grove and Palmerston North in Manawatū-Whanganui.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Cornerstone Christian School: 417. Whakarongo School: 424. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Cornerstone Christian School and Whakarongo School rank in Manawatū-Whanganui?
Cornerstone Christian School is 1st of 33 and Whakarongo School is 13th of 111 among composite schools in Manawatū-Whanganui on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).