Elstow-Waihou Combined School vs St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 6.7 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Elstow-Waihou Combined School
Te Aroha · State full primary · Years 1–8
175 students
St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha)
Te Aroha · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
63 students
| Measure | Elstow-Waihou Combined School Te Aroha, Waikato | St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha) Te Aroha, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 56 Top 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #65 of 179 | #87 of 179 |
| National rank | #740 of 1,559 | #915 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 175 | 63 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 449 | 446 |
| Total roll | 175 | 63 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 10.5% | -40.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 21.1% | 6.3% |
| Pacific students | 4% | 22.2% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Te Aroha | Te Aroha |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.elstow-waihou.school.nz | www.stjosephs-tearoha.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Elstow-Waihou Combined School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (55.5 vs 48.4).
- •St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (446 vs 449).
- •Elstow-Waihou Combined School does better on roll size (175 vs 63).
- •Elstow-Waihou Combined School does better on roll growth (5 years) (10.5% vs -40.4%).
- •Elstow-Waihou Combined School is the larger school with 175 students compared with 63.
- •Elstow-Waihou Combined School is a state school while St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha) 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 Elstow-Waihou Combined School better than St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Elstow-Waihou Combined School ranks higher (55.5 vs 48.4 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 Elstow-Waihou Combined School and St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha)?
About 6.7 km in a straight line, between Te Aroha and Te Aroha in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Elstow-Waihou Combined School: 449. St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha): 446. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Elstow-Waihou Combined School and St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha) rank in Waikato?
Elstow-Waihou Combined School is 65th of 179 and St Joseph's Catholic School (Te Aroha) is 87th of 179 among full primary schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).