Karori West Normal School vs Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Wellington, New Zealand, 1.9 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Karori West Normal School
Karori · State full primary · Years 1–8
444 students
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
Karori · Private composite · Years 1–13
396 students
| Measure | Karori West Normal School Karori, Wellington | Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Karori, Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 77 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| Region rank | #32 of 176 | – |
| National rank | #221 of 1,559 | – |
| Sector | State | Private |
| Type | Full Primary | Composite |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–13 |
| Students | 444 | 396 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 381 | – |
| Total roll | 444 | 396 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -14.9% | -14.6% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | 95% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | 92.5% |
| Māori students | 10.4% | 3.8% |
| Pacific students | 4.1% | 1.5% |
| International students | 0% | 2% |
| suburb or town | Karori | Karori |
| region | Wellington | Wellington |
| Website | www.kwns.school.nz | www.marsden.school.nz |
The verdict
- •Karori West Normal School does better on roll size (444 vs 396).
- •Samuel Marsden Collegiate School does better on roll growth (5 years) (-14.6% vs -14.9%).
- •Karori West Normal School is the larger school with 444 students compared with 396.
- •Karori West Normal School is a state school while Samuel Marsden Collegiate School is a private school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Karori West Normal School is co-educational and Samuel Marsden Collegiate School 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 Karori West Normal School better than Samuel Marsden Collegiate 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 Karori West Normal School and Samuel Marsden Collegiate School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Karori and Karori in Wellington.
How do Karori West Normal School and Samuel Marsden Collegiate School rank in Wellington?
Karori West Normal School is 32nd of 176 and Samuel Marsden Collegiate School is unranked among full primary schools in Wellington on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).