Pārāwai School vs St Francis School (Thames)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 1.8 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Pārāwai School
Parawai · State full primary · Years 1–8
246 students
St Francis School (Thames)
Thames · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
78 students
| Measure | Pārāwai School Parawai, Waikato | St Francis School (Thames) Thames, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 41 Lower 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #118 of 179 | #27 of 179 |
| National rank | #1079 of 1,559 | #450 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 246 | 78 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 468 | 409 |
| Total roll | 246 | 78 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -8% | 27.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 30.5% | 6.4% |
| Pacific students | 4.9% | 11.5% |
| International students | 1.6% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Parawai | Thames |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.parawai.school.nz | www.stfrancis-thames.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Francis School (Thames) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (67.8 vs 41.4).
- •St Francis School (Thames) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (409 vs 468).
- •Pārāwai School does better on roll size (246 vs 78).
- •St Francis School (Thames) does better on roll growth (5 years) (27.7% vs -8%).
- •Pārāwai School is the larger school with 246 students compared with 78.
- •Pārāwai School is a state school while St Francis School (Thames) 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 Pārāwai School better than St Francis School (Thames)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Francis School (Thames) ranks higher (67.8 vs 41.4 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 Pārāwai School and St Francis School (Thames)?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Parawai and Thames in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Pārāwai School: 468. St Francis School (Thames): 409. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Pārāwai School and St Francis School (Thames) rank in Waikato?
Pārāwai School is 118th of 179 and St Francis School (Thames) is 27th of 179 among full primary schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).