Hutt Valley High School vs Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 9-15) schools in Wellington, New Zealand, 519 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Hutt Valley High School
Lower Hutt · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
2,001 students
Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)
Lower Hutt · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
828 students
| Measure | Hutt Valley High School Lower Hutt, Wellington | Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) Lower Hutt, Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 72 Top 25% | 73 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #14 of 46 | #11 of 46 |
| National rank | #93 of 486 | #88 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 2,001 | 828 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 421 | 444 |
| Total roll | 2,001 | 828 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 12% | 4.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 80.6% | 93.2% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 61.5% | 81.1% |
| Māori students | 14.6% | 22.7% |
| Pacific students | 6.1% | 31.5% |
| International students | 3.6% | 1% |
| suburb or town | Lower Hutt | Lower Hutt |
| region | Wellington | Wellington |
| Website | www.hvhs.school.nz | www.sacredheartcollege.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index (NZ) scores (72.0 vs 72.7).
- •Hutt Valley High School does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (421 vs 444).
- •Hutt Valley High School does better on roll size (2,001 vs 828).
- •Hutt Valley High School does better on roll growth (5 years) (12% vs 4.2%).
- •Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (93.2% vs 80.6%).
- •Hutt Valley High School is the larger school with 2,001 students compared with 828.
- •Hutt Valley High School is a state school while Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Hutt Valley High School is co-educational and Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) is girls.
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 Hutt Valley High School better than Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)?
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 Hutt Valley High School and Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)?
About 519 m in a straight line, between Lower Hutt and Lower Hutt in Wellington.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Hutt Valley High School: 421. Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt): 444. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Hutt Valley High School and Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) rank in Wellington?
Hutt Valley High School is 14th of 46 and Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) is 11th of 46 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Wellington on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).