Berkley Normal Middle School vs St John's College (Hillcrest)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 1.5 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Berkley Normal Middle School
Hillcrest · State restricted composite (year 7-10) · Years 7–10
770 students
St John's College (Hillcrest)
Hillcrest · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
933 students
| Measure | Berkley Normal Middle School Hillcrest, Waikato | St John's College (Hillcrest) Hillcrest, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 80 Top 10% | 77 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #8 of 179 | #3 of 58 |
| National rank | #155 of 1,559 | #64 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Restricted Composite (Year 7-10) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 7–10 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 770 | 933 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 420 | 428 |
| Total roll | 770 | 933 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 2.3% | 15.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | 93.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | 68.7% |
| Māori students | 17.1% | 18.4% |
| Pacific students | 6.1% | 8.5% |
| International students | 0.9% | 1.7% |
| suburb or town | Hillcrest | Hillcrest |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.berkley.school.nz | www.stjohns-hamilton.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Berkley Normal Middle School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (79.6 vs 77.1).
- •Berkley Normal Middle School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (420 vs 428).
- •St John's College (Hillcrest) does better on roll size (933 vs 770).
- •St John's College (Hillcrest) does better on roll growth (5 years) (15.6% vs 2.3%).
- •St John's College (Hillcrest) is the larger school with 933 students compared with 770.
- •Berkley Normal Middle School is a state school while St John's College (Hillcrest) is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Berkley Normal Middle School is co-educational and St John's College (Hillcrest) is boys.
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 Berkley Normal Middle School better than St John's College (Hillcrest)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Berkley Normal Middle School ranks higher (79.6 vs 77.1 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 Berkley Normal Middle School and St John's College (Hillcrest)?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Hillcrest and Hillcrest in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Berkley Normal Middle School: 420. St John's College (Hillcrest): 428. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Berkley Normal Middle School and St John's College (Hillcrest) rank in Waikato?
Berkley Normal Middle School is 8th of 179 and St John's College (Hillcrest) is 3rd of 58 among restricted composite (year 7-10) schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).