Hamilton Girls' High School vs Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham)
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 1.6 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Hamilton Girls' High School
Hamilton · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
1,783 students
Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham)
Hamilton East · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
933 students
| Measure | Hamilton Girls' High School Hamilton, Waikato | Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) Hamilton East, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 66 Top 50% | 73 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #11 of 58 | #4 of 58 |
| National rank | #128 of 486 | #81 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 1,783 | 933 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 463 | 439 |
| Total roll | 1,783 | 933 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 5.8% | 19.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 89.5% | 90.3% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 67% | 75.1% |
| Māori students | 31.6% | 17.9% |
| Pacific students | 14.2% | 11.9% |
| International students | 1.7% | 3.2% |
| suburb or town | Hamilton | Hamilton East |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.hghs.school.nz | www.shgcham.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (73.0 vs 66.3).
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (439 vs 463).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School does better on roll size (1,783 vs 933).
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) does better on roll growth (5 years) (19.2% vs 5.8%).
- •Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (90.3% vs 89.5%).
- •Hamilton Girls' High School is the larger school with 1,783 students compared with 933.
- •Hamilton Girls' High School is a state school while Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) 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.
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 Hamilton Girls' High School better than Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) ranks higher (73.0 vs 66.3 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 Hamilton Girls' High School and Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham)?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Hamilton and Hamilton East in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Hamilton Girls' High School: 463. Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham): 439. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Hamilton Girls' High School and Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) rank in Waikato?
Hamilton Girls' High School is 11th of 58 and Sacred Heart Girls' College (Ham) is 4th of 58 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).