Schools in Balclutha
Otago & Southland · New Zealand
There are 6 schools in and around Balclutha (Otago & Southland) — 5 primary, 1 secondary. Warepa School is the highest-scoring on the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite, which compares every school against its EQI peer group. Each profile is source-linked to Education Counts, ERO and the Ministry of Education.
6 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Balclutha schools by suburb
1 Balclutha suburb has their own schools page.
Schools in Balclutha ranked by value-added score
The SchoolsNearMe composite scores every level against its EQI peer group, so it surfaces schools that get the most out of their students — not just the most advantaged intake. How it's calculated.
- View profile →
89
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory78ERO review87 - 2St Joseph's School (Balclutha)
Balclutha · Full Primary · 70 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →88
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory78ERO review84 - View profile →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing78Trajectory96ERO review65 - View profile →
67
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing76Trajectory28ERO review84 - View profile →
58
/ 100 composite
Academic74Outcomes43Retention82Wellbeing0Trajectory73ERO review67 - View profile →
44
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing8Trajectory26ERO review86
What the record says about Balclutha schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Warepa School
Warepa School's 2019 ERO review found most students achieving at or above curriculum expectations in reading, writing and mathematics, with all students reaching expected levels by Year 8. The school demonstrates strong leadership, a collaborative culture focused on student wellbeing, and a responsive curriculum tailored to students' strengths and interests. The school has a composite score of 87.
Full source-linked profile →St Joseph's School (Balclutha)
St Joseph's School has a strong culture of care and respect with positive staff collaboration. The school is prioritising teachers' knowledge of reading assessment practices and working with ERO to evaluate how effectively the reading programme is taught and assessed. Several students learning English as a second language require additional literacy support.
Full source-linked profile →Balclutha School
Balclutha School's 2023 ERO review identified concerns about new entrant literacy development delays and a cohort of students not meeting expectations despite prior interventions. Strengths include positive relationships with whānau and community, professional development in literacy, and collaborative partnerships. The school is working to achieve more equitable literacy outcomes for students of concern.
Full source-linked profile →Romahapa School
Romahapa School's 2020 ERO review found the school is effectively achieving equitable and excellent outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics, with most students needing accelerated progress making progress over three years. Students report a strong sense of belonging and belief in themselves as successful learners. The school's strengths include clear valued outcomes guiding teaching, effective use of assessment information, and collaborative teacher practice around schoolwide data.
Full source-linked profile →South Otago High School
South Otago High School received an ERO review in February 2023 under Te Ara Huarau. The school has made progress in embedding an inclusive and respectful environment, with staff working together on positive engagement and raising student achievement. Teachers have made progress catering to diverse learner needs in classrooms. The school's composite score is 67.
Full source-linked profile →Rosebank School (Balclutha)
Rosebank School has identified that many students arrive with lower than expected oral language and literacy skills, and that phonological structures need strengthening. The school has a well-developed vision for learners and focuses on continuous improvement through professional coaching and mentoring, with teachers maintaining high expectations. The physical environment has recently undergone modernisation including new breakout spaces for learning and support.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Balclutha schools
What schools are in Balclutha?
Balclutha has 6 schools on our records (5 primary, 1 secondary): South Otago High School, Balclutha School, Romahapa School, Rosebank School (Balclutha), St Joseph's School (Balclutha), Warepa School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Balclutha?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Warepa School ranks highest among Balclutha schools (89/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, South Otago High School leads the local secondary schools. "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Balclutha?
Many New Zealand state schools operate an enrolment zone (home zone), so your home address — not just the suburb — determines which in-zone state schools you can enrol at. Living in Balclutha does not guarantee a place at any particular school. Check each school's current zone with the school directly or use our by-address tool to see which schools cover a specific Balclutha address.
Decile or EQI — how are Balclutha schools rated for socio-economic need?
New Zealand replaced the decile system with the Equity Index (EQI) in 2023. A lower EQI means a more socio-economically advantaged community; a higher EQI means greater need. EQI is a funding tool, not a quality measure — a high-EQI school can outperform a low-EQI one. The SchoolsNearMe composite controls for EQI so a school serving a more disadvantaged community isn't unfairly penalised.
Source data: Education Counts (NCEA, retention, destinations, discipline, funding) · Ministry of Education (roll, EQI, identity) · Education Review Office (reviews).