Houghton Valley School vs Island Bay School
A head-to-head comparison of two contributing schools in Wellington, New Zealand, 1.1 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Houghton Valley School
Houghton Bay · State contributing · Years 1–6
200 students
Island Bay School
Island Bay · State contributing · Years 1–6
347 students
| Measure | Houghton Valley School Houghton Bay, Wellington | Island Bay School Island Bay, Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 77 Top 25% | 78 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #34 of 176 | #29 of 176 |
| National rank | #227 of 1,559 | #206 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State | State |
| Type | Contributing | Contributing |
| Year range | Years 1–6 | Years 1–6 |
| Students | 200 | 347 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 366 | 371 |
| Total roll | 200 | 347 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -8.2% | -18.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 11.5% | 10.7% |
| Pacific students | 1.5% | 5.2% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Houghton Bay | Island Bay |
| region | Wellington | Wellington |
| Website | www.houghton.school.nz | www.islandbay.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index (NZ) scores (77.0 vs 77.8).
- •Houghton Valley School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (366 vs 371).
- •Island Bay School does better on roll size (347 vs 200).
- •Houghton Valley School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-8.2% vs -18.9%).
- •Island Bay School is the larger school with 347 students compared with 200.
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 Houghton Valley School better than Island Bay School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (NZ). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Houghton Valley School and Island Bay School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Houghton Bay and Island Bay in Wellington.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Houghton Valley School: 366. Island Bay School: 371. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Houghton Valley School and Island Bay School rank in Wellington?
Houghton Valley School is 34th of 176 and Island Bay School is 29th of 176 among contributing schools in Wellington on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).