Hamilton West School vs St Pius X Catholic School (Melville)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 1.6 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Hamilton West School
Hamilton West · State full primary · Years 1–8
713 students
St Pius X Catholic School (Melville)
Melville · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
277 students
| Measure | Hamilton West School Hamilton West, Waikato | St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) Melville, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 74 Top 25% | 86 Top 5% |
| Region rank | #18 of 179 | #5 of 179 |
| National rank | #309 of 1,559 | #52 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 713 | 277 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 433 | 378 |
| Total roll | 713 | 277 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 10.9% | 19.1% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 16.5% | 6.5% |
| Pacific students | 6.7% | 6.1% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Hamilton West | Melville |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.hamwest.school.nz/ | www.stpius.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (85.8 vs 73.5).
- •St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (378 vs 433).
- •Hamilton West School does better on roll size (713 vs 277).
- •St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) does better on roll growth (5 years) (19.1% vs 10.9%).
- •Hamilton West School is the larger school with 713 students compared with 277.
- •Hamilton West School is a state school while St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) 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 Hamilton West School better than St Pius X Catholic School (Melville)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) ranks higher (85.8 vs 73.5 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 West School and St Pius X Catholic School (Melville)?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Hamilton West and Melville in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Hamilton West School: 433. St Pius X Catholic School (Melville): 378. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Hamilton West School and St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) rank in Waikato?
Hamilton West School is 18th of 179 and St Pius X Catholic School (Melville) is 5th of 179 among full primary schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).