Lepperton School vs St Joseph's School (Waitara)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Taranaki, New Zealand, 6.5 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Lepperton School
Lepperton · State full primary · Years 1–8
129 students
St Joseph's School (Waitara)
Waitara · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
91 students
| Measure | Lepperton School Lepperton, Taranaki | St Joseph's School (Waitara) Waitara, Taranaki |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 61 Top 50% | 24 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #15 of 56 | #51 of 56 |
| National rank | #612 of 1,559 | #1444 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 129 | 91 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 423 | 510 |
| Total roll | 129 | 91 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -24.9% | -1.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 19.4% | 51.6% |
| Pacific students | 2.3% | 6.6% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Lepperton | Waitara |
| region | Taranaki | Taranaki |
| Website | www.lepperton.school.nz | – |
The verdict
- •Lepperton School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (60.7 vs 24.3).
- •Lepperton School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (423 vs 510).
- •Lepperton School does better on roll size (129 vs 91).
- •St Joseph's School (Waitara) does better on roll growth (5 years) (-1.4% vs -24.9%).
- •Lepperton School is the larger school with 129 students compared with 91.
- •Lepperton School is a state school while St Joseph's School (Waitara) 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 Lepperton School better than St Joseph's School (Waitara)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Lepperton School ranks higher (60.7 vs 24.3 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 Lepperton School and St Joseph's School (Waitara)?
About 6.5 km in a straight line, between Lepperton and Waitara in Taranaki.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Lepperton School: 423. St Joseph's School (Waitara): 510. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Lepperton School and St Joseph's School (Waitara) rank in Taranaki?
Lepperton School is 15th of 56 and St Joseph's School (Waitara) is 51st of 56 among full primary schools in Taranaki on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).