Highlands Intermediate vs St Pius X School (New Plymouth)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Taranaki, New Zealand, 598 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Highlands Intermediate
New Plymouth · State intermediate · Years 7–8
714 students
St Pius X School (New Plymouth)
New Plymouth · State integrated contributing · Years 1–6
188 students
| Measure | Highlands Intermediate New Plymouth, Taranaki | St Pius X School (New Plymouth) New Plymouth, Taranaki |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 57 Top 50% | 79 Top 10% |
| Region rank | #17 of 56 | #2 of 56 |
| National rank | #692 of 1,559 | #161 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Intermediate | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 7–8 | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 714 | 188 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 444 | 391 |
| Total roll | 714 | 188 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -2.4% | 3.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 21.7% | 13.8% |
| Pacific students | 3.1% | 4.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | New Plymouth | New Plymouth |
| region | Taranaki | Taranaki |
| Website | www.highlands.school.nz/ | www.stpiusx.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Pius X School (New Plymouth) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (79.4 vs 56.9).
- •St Pius X School (New Plymouth) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (391 vs 444).
- •Highlands Intermediate does better on roll size (714 vs 188).
- •St Pius X School (New Plymouth) does better on roll growth (5 years) (3.4% vs -2.4%).
- •Highlands Intermediate is the larger school with 714 students compared with 188.
- •Highlands Intermediate is a state school while St Pius X School (New Plymouth) 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 Highlands Intermediate better than St Pius X School (New Plymouth)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Pius X School (New Plymouth) ranks higher (79.4 vs 56.9 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 Highlands Intermediate and St Pius X School (New Plymouth)?
About 598 m in a straight line, between New Plymouth and New Plymouth in Taranaki.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Highlands Intermediate: 444. St Pius X School (New Plymouth): 391. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Highlands Intermediate and St Pius X School (New Plymouth) rank in Taranaki?
Highlands Intermediate is 17th of 56 and St Pius X School (New Plymouth) is 2nd of 56 among intermediate schools in Taranaki on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).