Rongotai College vs St Catherines College (Kilbirnie)
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary (year 9-15) schools in Wellington, New Zealand, 803 m apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Rongotai College
Kilbirnie · State secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
701 students
St Catherines College (Kilbirnie)
Kilbirnie · State integrated secondary (year 9-15) · Years 9–13
206 students
| Measure | Rongotai College Kilbirnie, Wellington | St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) Kilbirnie, Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 66 Top 50% | 75 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #24 of 46 | #8 of 46 |
| National rank | #129 of 486 | #73 of 486 |
| Sector | State | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 9-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 9–13 | Years 9–13 |
| Students | 701 | 206 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 428 | 435 |
| Total roll | 701 | 206 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | -1% | 8.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 88.1% | 100% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 75.4% | 91.4% |
| Māori students | 19.1% | 11.7% |
| Pacific students | 17% | 24.8% |
| International students | 3.4% | 4.4% |
| suburb or town | Kilbirnie | Kilbirnie |
| region | Wellington | Wellington |
| Website | www.rongotai.school.nz | www.stcatherinescollege.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (75.2 vs 66.2).
- •Rongotai College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (428 vs 435).
- •Rongotai College does better on roll size (701 vs 206).
- •St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) does better on roll growth (5 years) (8.9% vs -1%).
- •St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (100% vs 88.1%).
- •Rongotai College is the larger school with 701 students compared with 206.
- •Rongotai College is a state school while St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) is a state integrated school, so fees and admission rules differ.
- •Rongotai College is boys and St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) 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 Rongotai College better than St Catherines College (Kilbirnie)?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) ranks higher (75.2 vs 66.2 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 Rongotai College and St Catherines College (Kilbirnie)?
About 803 m in a straight line, between Kilbirnie and Kilbirnie in Wellington.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Rongotai College: 428. St Catherines College (Kilbirnie): 435. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Rongotai College and St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) rank in Wellington?
Rongotai College is 24th of 46 and St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) is 8th of 46 among secondary (year 9-15) schools in Wellington on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).