Hilltop School vs St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 3.7 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Hilltop School
Taupo ยท State full primary ยท Years 1โ8
580 students
St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo)
Taupo ยท State integrated full primary ยท Years 1โ8
233 students
| Measure | Hilltop School Taupo, Waikato | St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo) Taupo, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 78 Top 25% | 64 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #9 of 179 | #35 of 179 |
| National rank | #195 of 1,559 | #518 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1โ8 | Years 1โ8 |
| Students | 580 | 233 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 421 | 418 |
| Total roll | 580 | 233 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 4.6% | -15.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with University Entrance | โ | โ |
| Mฤori students | 16% | 12.4% |
| Pacific students | 2.6% | 6.9% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Taupo | Taupo |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.hilltop.org.nz | www.stpatstaupo.school.nz |
The verdict
- โขHilltop School scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (78.3 vs 64.4).
- โขSt Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (418 vs 421).
- โขHilltop School does better on roll size (580 vs 233).
- โขHilltop School does better on roll growth (5 years) (4.6% vs -15.2%).
- โขHilltop School is the larger school with 580 students compared with 233.
- โขHilltop School is a state school while St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo) 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 Hilltop School better than St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo)?
On the Success Index (NZ), Hilltop School ranks higher (78.3 vs 64.4 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 Hilltop School and St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo)?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Taupo and Taupo in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Hilltop School: 421. St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo): 418. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Hilltop School and St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo) rank in Waikato?
Hilltop School is 9th of 179 and St Patrick's Catholic School (Taupo) is 35th of 179 among full primary schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).