Schools in Balfour
Otago & Southland · New Zealand
There is 1 school in and around Balfour (Otago & Southland) — 1 primary. Balfour 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.
1 school · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Balfour 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 →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory14ERO review78
What the record says about Balfour schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Balfour School
Balfour School maintained high achievement and progress in reading and mathematics through leadership and staffing changes, according to its 2018 ERO review. The school has identified a focus on raising boys' writing achievement and supporting students whose learning needs acceleration. Leadership emphasises supporting children's learning and development through a collaborative culture and professional practice.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Balfour schools
What schools are in Balfour?
Balfour has 1 school on our records (1 primary): Balfour School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Balfour?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Balfour School ranks highest among Balfour schools (70/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Balfour?
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 Balfour 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 Balfour address.
Decile or EQI — how are Balfour 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).