Schools in Christchurch
Canterbury · New Zealand
There are 139 schools in and around Christchurch (Canterbury) — 90 primary, 8 intermediate, 34 secondary. St Michael's Church 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.
139 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Christchurch schools by suburb
59 Christchurch suburbs have their own schools page.
- Schools in Addington 3
- Schools in Aidanfield 1
- Schools in Aranui 1
- Schools in Avondale 1
- Schools in Avonhead 3
- Schools in Barrington 1
- Schools in Beckenham 2
- Schools in Belfast 2
- Schools in Bishopdale 5
- Schools in Bromley 1
- Schools in Bryndwr 3
- Schools in Burnside 5
- Schools in Burwood 1
- Schools in Casebrook 1
- Schools in Cashmere 2
- Schools in Christchurch 1
- Schools in Christchurch Central 4
- Schools in Fendalton 2
- Schools in Halswell 5
- Schools in Harewood 1
- Schools in Heathcote Valley 1
- Schools in Hei Hei 1
- Schools in Hillmorton 1
- Schools in Hillsborough 1
- Schools in Hoon Hay 4
- Schools in Hornby 4
- Schools in Ilam 3
- Schools in Linwood 3
- Schools in Mairehau 1
- Schools in Marshland 1
- Schools in Merivale 6
- Schools in Mt Pleasant 1
- Schools in New Brighton 2
- Schools in North New Brighton 2
- Schools in Northcote-Christchurch 1
- Schools in Opawa 3
- Schools in Ouruhia 1
- Schools in Papanui 6
- Schools in Parklands 2
- Schools in Phillipstown 2
- Schools in Redcliffs 1
- Schools in Redwood 2
- Schools in Riccarton 5
- Schools in Richmond 2
- Schools in Shirley 2
- Schools in Sockburn 4
- Schools in Somerfield 2
- Schools in South New Brighton 1
- Schools in Spreydon 3
- Schools in St Albans 2
- Schools in St Martins 2
- Schools in Sumner 3
- Schools in Templeton 1
- Schools in Upper Riccarton 1
- Schools in Wainoni 1
- Schools in Waltham 2
- Schools in Weedons 1
- Schools in Wigram 1
- Schools in Woolston 5
Top 30 schools in Christchurch 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 →
94
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review84 - 2Our Lady Star of the Sea School (Christchurch)
Sumner · Full Primary · 109 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →91
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review78 - View profile →
87
/ 100 composite
Academic98Outcomes74Retention99Wellbeing—Trajectory63ERO review85 - 4Milns Road School (Proposed opening date: 2027-01-25)
Halswell · Full Primary · — students · EQI unknown
View profile →87
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review75 - View profile →
87
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review75 - 6Villa Maria College
Upper Riccarton · Secondary (Year 7-15) · 817 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →86
/ 100 composite
Academic97Outcomes73Retention99Wellbeing89Trajectory47ERO review85 - View profile →
86
/ 100 composite
Academic93Outcomes81Retention93Wellbeing—Trajectory58ERO review80 - View profile →
85
/ 100 composite
Academic96Outcomes74Retention96Wellbeing—Trajectory56ERO review84 - View profile →
85
/ 100 composite
Academic95Outcomes74Retention97Wellbeing—Trajectory60ERO review80 - View profile →
85
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory75ERO review79 - 11St Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Mairehau · Full Primary · 467 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →84
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing90Trajectory84ERO review78 - 12Our Lady of the Assumption School (Chch)
Hoon Hay · Full Primary · 348 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →84
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory77ERO review74 - 13Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora
Riccarton · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,301 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →83
/ 100 composite
Academic91Outcomes70Retention92Wellbeing98Trajectory55ERO review72 - 14St Mary's School (Christchurch)
Christchurch · Full Primary · 126 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory59ERO review83 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention—Wellbeing100Trajectory55ERO review81 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing68Trajectory100ERO review84 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing92Trajectory60ERO review88 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory63ERO review77 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing65Trajectory100ERO review85 - 20St Peter's School Te Kura Haoika
Beckenham · Full Primary · 172 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory58ERO review81 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory55ERO review84 - View profile →
80
/ 100 composite
Academic90Outcomes58Retention92Wellbeing99Trajectory58ERO review82 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Academic87Outcomes66Retention92Wellbeing81Trajectory54ERO review85 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory45ERO review82 - 25Christ The King School (Burnside)
Burnside · Full Primary · 337 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory48ERO review79 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory54ERO review75 - 27Te Kura o te Tauawa Halswell School
Halswell · Full Primary · 722 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing90Trajectory54ERO review85 - 28St Teresa's School (Riccarton)
Christchurch · Full Primary · 174 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review78 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory47ERO review80 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review78
More schools in Christchurch
The rest of Christchurch's schools — some scored, some without a composite score yet (often small rolls or limited scored data). Every one has a full source-linked profile.
- St Bede's College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 796 students
- Burnside High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 2,581 students
- Cashmere High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 2,335 students
- Knights Stream School- Mingimingi Hautoa Full Primary · 647 students
- Sacred Heart School (Christchurch) Full Primary · 189 students
- Mt Pleasant School Full Primary · 377 students
- St Patrick's School (Bryndwr) Full Primary · 172 students
- Marian College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 411 students
- Tūora Fendalton School Contributing · 440 students
- Christchurch Boys' High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,385 students
- Emmanuel Christian School Composite (Year 1-10) · 283 students
- TKKM o Te Whanau Tahi Composite · 235 students
- Sumner School Full Primary · 363 students
- Nova Montessori School Full Primary · 41 students
- Harewood School Contributing · 176 students
- Ilam School Contributing · 427 students
- St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch) Contributing · 109 students
- St Albans School Contributing · 601 students
- Christchurch North College Secondary (Year 7-15)
- Selwyn House School Full Primary · 298 students
- New Zealand IT College (Proposed) Secondary (Year 9-15)
- Te Rito Harakeke - Marshland School Full Primary · 597 students
- Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Contributing · 551 students
- Cashmere Primary Te Pae Kererū Full Primary · 483 students
- Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School Full Primary · 460 students
- St Joseph's School (Papanui) Full Primary · 435 students
- St Martins School Full Primary · 524 students
- Wharenui School Full Primary · 466 students
- Westburn Te Kura O Hereora Full Primary · 503 students
- The Cathedral Grammar School Full Primary · 262 students
- Catholic Cathedral College Secondary (Year 7-15) · 578 students
- Hornby Primary School Contributing · 273 students
- Kimihia Parents' College Teen Parent Unit
- Christchurch Adventist School Composite · 267 students
- Pītau-Allenvale School Specialist School · 139 students
- Breens Intermediate Intermediate · 266 students
- Elmwood Normal School Contributing · 529 students
- Oaklands Te Kura o Ōwaka Full Primary · 633 students
- Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School Contributing · 311 students
- Riccarton High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,103 students
- Casebrook Intermediate Intermediate · 467 students
- Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka Contributing · 461 students
- He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate Intermediate · 530 students
- Tuia Burnside Primary School Contributing · 345 students
- Te Kāpehu Riccarton School Full Primary · 379 students
- Medbury Preparatory School Full Primary · 414 students
- Hillmorton High School Secondary (Year 7-15) · 1,374 students
- Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School Intermediate · 512 students
- Redwood School (Christchurch) Contributing · 313 students
- Shirley Boys' High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,202 students
- Parkview Pārua Full Primary · 384 students
- Rudolf Steiner School (Chch) Composite · 303 students
- Wigram Primary School - Te Piki Kāhu Contributing · 510 students
- Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School Contributing · 278 students
- Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,939 students
- Avonside Girls' High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,034 students
- Te Pā o Rākaihautū Composite · 208 students
- New Brighton Catholic School (Chch) Full Primary · 208 students
- Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate Intermediate · 268 students
- Hornby High School Secondary (Year 7-15) · 994 students
- Addington Te Kura Taumatua Contributing · 363 students
- Papanui High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,469 students
- Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery Composite · 658 students
- Merrin School Ngā Whetū Kohara Full Primary · 478 students
- Te Oraka Intermediate · 193 students
- TKKM o Waitaha Composite · 214 students
- Te Kura o Ōpāwaho – Opawa School Full Primary · 367 students
- Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Full Primary · 507 students
- Te Kōmanawa Rowley School Contributing · 242 students
- Wairakei School (Christchurch) Contributing · 225 students
- Heathcote Valley School Full Primary · 197 students
- Paparoa Street School Contributing · 378 students
- Ferndale Te Ahu Specialist School · 137 students
- Gilberthorpe School Contributing · 243 students
- Mairehau High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 410 students
- Rāwhiti School Full Primary · 566 students
- Bishopdale School Te Kura o Papakōhatu Contributing · 174 students
- Te Hiwa Shirley Primary School Contributing · 382 students
- Te Kura o Mōkihi Spreydon School Contributing · 284 students
- Te Aratai College Secondary (Year 7-15) · 1,248 students
- Papanui Primary School Contributing · 227 students
- Te Waka Unua School Full Primary · 502 students
- Te Manu Tukutuku South Hornby School Contributing · 295 students
- St James School (Aranui) Contributing · 109 students
- Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate Intermediate · 648 students
- Te Huarahi Linwood Avenue School Contributing · 356 students
- Pareawa Banks Avenue School Contributing · 407 students
- Pūtahi Belfast School Full Primary · 466 students
- Te Kura o Matarangi - Northcote School Contributing · 157 students
- Waltham School Full Primary · 266 students
- Te Ahuwai Bromley School Contributing · 370 students
- Waitākiri Primary School Contributing · 563 students
- Haeata Community Campus Composite · 579 students
- Whītau School Contributing · 327 students
- Waimairi School Contributing · 362 students
- Christchurch East School Full Primary · 325 students
- Templeton School Full Primary · 307 students
- South New Brighton School Full Primary · 401 students
- Tamariki School Full Primary · 52 students
- Queenspark Te Hua Mānuka Full Primary · 461 students
- Ko Taku Reo - Deaf Education New Zealand Specialist School · 108 students
- Te Kura o Te Mātāpuna Isleworth School Contributing · 241 students
- Aidanfield Christian School Composite · 475 students
- Chisnallwood Intermediate Intermediate · 423 students
- Ngutuawa School Full Primary · 147 students
- Mairehau Primary School Full Primary · 363 students
- Ōuruhia Model School Full Primary · 27 students
- Southern Health School Specialist School · 21 students
- Halswell Residential College Specialist School · 7 students
What the record says about Christchurch schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
St Michael's Church School
St Michael's Church School is a full primary school in Christchurch Central serving 149 students. The ERO special review in July 2024 found that all eight criteria for registration as a private school are met, with suitable premises, staffing, and curriculum documentation available to parents.
Full source-linked profile →Our Lady Star of the Sea School (Christchurch)
The ERO review (March 2025) found that success and progress for all learners is increasing, with learners benefiting from high quality teaching practice in reading, writing and mathematics. The school maintains consistent achievement levels, with teachers knowing learners well and leadership building strong relational trust. The school needs to ensure a physically and emotionally safe learning environment. A limited statutory manager is currently active at the school.
Full source-linked profile →Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Rangi Ruru Girls' School received a special ERO review in November 2024 and meets all registration criteria except for pending Ministry of Education assessment of managers as 'Fit and Proper Persons'. The school demonstrates effective pastoral care systems for international students, maintains a safe and supportive hostel environment, and has suitable premises and staffing for curriculum delivery. The school's composite score is 85.
Full source-linked profile →Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College's 2023 ERO review found the school identifies and responds to learners' needs with equity in achievement outcomes. The school uses systematic approaches to review and evaluate initiatives, and staff are increasing their use of te reo, mātauranga Māori, and Pacific cultural competencies. The school's Catholic and Mercy charism forms the foundation for learning review and design.
Full source-linked profile →St Margaret's College
St Margaret's College underwent a special ERO review in May 2024 and meets all criteria for registration as a private school under the Education and Training Act 2020. The school demonstrates robust internal self-review processes and comprehensive pastoral care systems for all students. The school achieved a composite score of 80.
Full source-linked profile →St Andrew's College (Christchurch)
St Andrew's College is a private composite school in Christchurch with a roll of 1,609 students. An ERO special review in 2021 found the school meets all criteria for registration under the Education and Training Act 2020. The school has suitable premises, staffing, and equipment for curriculum delivery, and has regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for students.
Full source-linked profile →Christ's College
Christ's College is a secondary school in Christchurch Central serving 729 students. A special ERO review in March 2024 confirmed the school meets all eight criteria for private school registration, with suitable premises, staffing, equipment and curriculum provisions. The school maintains regularly reviewed policies and procedures to provide a physically and emotionally safe environment, with strong support systems for international students and boarders. The school has a composite score of 80.
Full source-linked profile →Our Lady of Victories
Our Lady of Victories, a full primary school in Sockburn, Christchurch, works towards equitable outcomes with most students achieving at or above reading expectations, though the school faces ongoing disparities in writing achievement for boys and declining achievement for Māori students in writing and mathematics. The school has implemented effective schoolwide processes, uses learning information to monitor individual student progress, and aligns charter goals with classroom programmes. Over half of students in accelerated programmes made accelerated progress in 2018-2019.
Full source-linked profile →St Francis of Assisi Catholic School
St Francis of Assisi Catholic School is a full primary school in Mairehau, Christchurch, with a composite score of 78. The school demonstrates strong engagement and wellbeing among learners, who interact positively with each other and staff. Leadership is research-based and data-driven, with strategic focus on curriculum change and explicit teaching practices in reading, writing and maths.
Full source-linked profile →Our Lady of the Assumption School (Chch)
The school's Board Assurance Review (March 2024) found the Board had met regulatory and legislative requirements across most key areas as of June 2023. One area of non-compliance was identified regarding community consultation and health curriculum delivery statements, which the Board has since addressed. Board administration, curriculum delivery, and management of health, safety and welfare were attested to.
Full source-linked profile →Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora
The school demonstrates good progress in ensuring equitable outcomes, with almost all students gaining NCEA qualifications at Levels 1, 2 and 3. However, disparities remain for Māori and Pacific students in reading, writing, mathematics and UE achievement. The school has a broad curriculum, collaborative leadership focused on improvement, and strong support for student wellbeing and transitions (ERO 2020, composite score 72).
Full source-linked profile →St Mary's School (Christchurch)
St Mary's School is a full primary school with a roll of 126 students in Christchurch. The 2022 ERO review found that learners experience a positive social and spiritual learning climate with wellbeing support, that effective teaching strategies help priority learners make accelerated progress, and that the school operates as a learning-oriented professional community focused on continuous improvement. The school has a composite score of 83.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Christchurch schools
What schools are in Christchurch?
Christchurch has 139 schools on our records (90 primary, 8 intermediate, 34 secondary): Aidanfield Christian School, St Bede's College, Papanui High School, Christchurch Adventist School, St Andrew's College (Christchurch), Burnside High School, Mairehau High School, Shirley Boys' High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa, Avonside Girls' High School, Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Villa Maria College, Christchurch Boys' High School, and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Christchurch?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Michael's Church School ranks highest among Christchurch schools (94/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Rangi Ruru Girls' 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 Christchurch?
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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch address.
Decile or EQI — how are Christchurch 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).