Birchwood School vs Nelson Intermediate
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Nelson, New Zealand, 4.1 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 Intermediate
Nelson · State intermediate · Years 7–8
415 students
| Measure | Birchwood School Stoke, Nelson | Nelson Intermediate Nelson, Nelson |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 47 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #10 of 14 | #8 of 14 |
| National rank | #955 of 1,559 | #873 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Contributing | Intermediate |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 7–8 |
| Students | 251 | 415 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 456 | 454 |
| Total roll | 251 | 415 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -0.8% | -15.5% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 27.9% | 18.3% |
| Pacific students | 7.6% | 3.9% |
| International students | 0% | 0.5% |
| suburb or town | Stoke | Nelson |
| region | Nelson | Nelson |
| Website | www.birchwood.school.nz | www.nelsonintermediate.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Nelson Intermediate scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (49.7 vs 46.7).
- •Nelson Intermediate does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (454 vs 456).
- •Nelson Intermediate does better on roll size (415 vs 251).
- •Birchwood School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-0.8% vs -15.5%).
- •Nelson Intermediate is the larger school with 415 students compared with 251.
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 Intermediate?
On the Success Index (NZ), Nelson Intermediate ranks higher (49.7 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 Intermediate?
About 4.1 km in a straight line, between Stoke and Nelson in Nelson.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Birchwood School: 456. Nelson Intermediate: 454. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Birchwood School and Nelson Intermediate rank in Nelson?
Birchwood School is 10th of 14 and Nelson Intermediate is 8th of 14 among contributing schools in Nelson on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).