Nelson Central School vs St Joseph's School (Nelson)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Nelson, New Zealand, 163 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Nelson Central School
Nelson · State contributing · Years 1–6
380 students
St Joseph's School (Nelson)
Nelson · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
376 students
| Measure | Nelson Central School Nelson, Nelson | St Joseph's School (Nelson) Nelson, Nelson |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 63 Top 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #4 of 14 | #1 of 14 |
| National rank | #546 of 1,559 | #352 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Contributing | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 380 | 376 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 425 | 401 |
| Total roll | 380 | 376 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -15.3% | -10.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 13.7% | 9.3% |
| Pacific students | 3.9% | 7.2% |
| International students | 0.5% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Nelson | Nelson |
| region | Nelson | Nelson |
| Website | www.nelsoncentral.school.nz | www.stjosephsnelson.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School (Nelson) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (71.6 vs 63.3).
- •St Joseph's School (Nelson) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (401 vs 425).
- •Nelson Central School does better on roll size (380 vs 376).
- •St Joseph's School (Nelson) does better on roll growth (5 years) (-10.6% vs -15.3%).
- •Nelson Central School is the larger school with 380 students compared with 376.
- •Nelson Central School is a state school while St Joseph's School (Nelson) 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 Nelson Central School better than St Joseph's School (Nelson)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Joseph's School (Nelson) ranks higher (71.6 vs 63.3 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 Nelson Central School and St Joseph's School (Nelson)?
About 163 m in a straight line, between Nelson and Nelson in Nelson.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Nelson Central School: 425. St Joseph's School (Nelson): 401. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Nelson Central School and St Joseph's School (Nelson) rank in Nelson?
Nelson Central School is 4th of 14 and St Joseph's School (Nelson) is 1st of 14 among contributing schools in Nelson on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).