Ardgowan School vs St Joseph's School (Oamaru)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Otago, New Zealand, 3.5 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ardgowan School
Oamaru · State full primary · Years 1–8
131 students
St Joseph's School (Oamaru)
Oamaru · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
149 students
| Measure | Ardgowan School Oamaru, Otago | St Joseph's School (Oamaru) Oamaru, Otago |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 46 Lower 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #66 of 85 | #51 of 85 |
| National rank | #965 of 1,559 | #754 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 131 | 149 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 453 | 437 |
| Total roll | 131 | 149 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -3.7% | -7.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 13.7% | 16.1% |
| Pacific students | 4.6% | 13.4% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Oamaru | Oamaru |
| region | Otago | Otago |
| Website | www.ardgowan.school.nz/ | www.stjoseph.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School (Oamaru) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (54.9 vs 46.3).
- •St Joseph's School (Oamaru) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (437 vs 453).
- •St Joseph's School (Oamaru) does better on roll size (149 vs 131).
- •Ardgowan School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-3.7% vs -7.9%).
- •St Joseph's School (Oamaru) is the larger school with 149 students compared with 131.
- •Ardgowan School is a state school while St Joseph's School (Oamaru) 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 Ardgowan School better than St Joseph's School (Oamaru)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Joseph's School (Oamaru) ranks higher (54.9 vs 46.3 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 Ardgowan School and St Joseph's School (Oamaru)?
About 3.5 km in a straight line, between Oamaru and Oamaru in Otago.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Ardgowan School: 453. St Joseph's School (Oamaru): 437. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Ardgowan School and St Joseph's School (Oamaru) rank in Otago?
Ardgowan School is 66th of 85 and St Joseph's School (Oamaru) is 51st of 85 among full primary schools in Otago on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).