Francis Douglas Memorial College vs Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 7-15) schools in Taranaki, New Zealand, 5.3 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Francis Douglas Memorial College
Westown · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
779 students
Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)
Fitzroy · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
729 students
| Measure | Francis Douglas Memorial College Westown, Taranaki | Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) Fitzroy, Taranaki |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 72 Top 25% | 81 Top 10% |
| Region rank | #2 of 16 | #1 of 16 |
| National rank | #95 of 486 | #37 of 486 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 7–13 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 779 | 729 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 418 | 414 |
| Total roll | 779 | 729 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -1.3% | 1.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 94.8% | 94.8% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 77.3% | 77.4% |
| Māori students | 20.4% | 15.2% |
| Pacific students | 3% | 3% |
| International students | 0% | 0.1% |
| suburb or town | Westown | Fitzroy |
| region | Taranaki | Taranaki |
| Website | www.fdmc.school.nz | www.shgcnp.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (80.7 vs 71.9).
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (414 vs 418).
- •Francis Douglas Memorial College does better on roll size (779 vs 729).
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) does better on roll growth (5 years) (1.2% vs -1.3%).
- •Francis Douglas Memorial College is the larger school with 779 students compared with 729.
- •Francis Douglas Memorial College is boys and Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) is girls.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Francis Douglas Memorial College better than Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) ranks higher (80.7 vs 71.9 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 Francis Douglas Memorial College and Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)?
About 5.3 km in a straight line, between Westown and Fitzroy in Taranaki.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Francis Douglas Memorial College: 418. Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth): 414. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Francis Douglas Memorial College and Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) rank in Taranaki?
Francis Douglas Memorial College is 2nd of 16 and Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth) is 1st of 16 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Taranaki on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).