Birchwood School vs Nelson Christian Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Nelson, New Zealand, 2.0 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Birchwood School
Stoke · State contributing · Years 1–6
251 students
Nelson Christian Academy
Stoke · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
316 students
| Measure | Birchwood School Stoke, Nelson | Nelson Christian Academy Stoke, Nelson |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 47 Lower 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #10 of 14 | #6 of 14 |
| National rank | #955 of 1,559 | #599 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Contributing | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 251 | 316 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 456 | 449 |
| Total roll | 251 | 316 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -0.8% | 28% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 27.9% | 7.6% |
| Pacific students | 7.6% | 5.7% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Stoke | Stoke |
| region | Nelson | Nelson |
| Website | www.birchwood.school.nz | www.nca.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Nelson Christian Academy scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (61.4 vs 46.7).
- •Nelson Christian Academy does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (449 vs 456).
- •Nelson Christian Academy does better on roll size (316 vs 251).
- •Nelson Christian Academy does better on roll growth (5 years) (28% vs -0.8%).
- •Nelson Christian Academy is the larger school with 316 students compared with 251.
- •Birchwood School is a state school while Nelson Christian Academy 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 Birchwood School better than Nelson Christian Academy?
On the Success Index (NZ), Nelson Christian Academy ranks higher (61.4 vs 46.7 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 Birchwood School and Nelson Christian Academy?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Stoke and Stoke in Nelson.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Birchwood School: 456. Nelson Christian Academy: 449. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Birchwood School and Nelson Christian Academy rank in Nelson?
Birchwood School is 10th of 14 and Nelson Christian Academy is 6th of 14 among contributing schools in Nelson on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).