Schools in Dargaville
Northland · New Zealand
There are 9 schools in and around Dargaville (Northland) — 7 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary. St Joseph's Catholic School (Dargaville) 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.
9 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Dargaville schools by suburb
3 Dargaville suburbs have their own schools page.
Schools in Dargaville 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 →
76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory64ERO review63 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing75Trajectory62ERO review79 - 3Arapohue School
Arapohue · Full Primary · 35 students · EQI 475–509
View profile →70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing69Trajectory50ERO review83 - View profile →
61
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing59Trajectory81ERO review51 - View profile →
50
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory67ERO review83 - 6Dargaville High School
Dargaville · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 361 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →47
/ 100 composite
Academic68Outcomes25Retention71Wellbeing0Trajectory32ERO review65
More schools in Dargaville
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- Tangowahine School Full Primary · 25 students
- Kaihu Valley School Full Primary · 17 students
- Aranga School Full Primary · 16 students
What the record says about Dargaville 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 Joseph's Catholic School (Dargaville)
St Joseph's Catholic School (Dargaville) received a Board Assurance Review in February 2024. The Board has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements in Board Administration, Curriculum, and Management of Health, Safety and Welfare. No composite score is currently available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Dargaville Primary School
Dargaville Primary School's most recent ERO board assurance review (December 2024) found the board has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across key areas including curriculum, health and safety, personnel management, finance, and assets. One area of non-compliance was identified regarding police vetting renewal for non-teaching staff; the board has since addressed this matter.
Full source-linked profile →Arapohue School
Arapohue School's Board of Assurance Review in February 2024 confirmed the board has met regulatory and legislative requirements across all six domains. The board meets requirements for administration and curriculum. No composite score is available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Selwyn Park School
Selwyn Park School is a contributing school in Dargaville with a roll of 153 students. The Board's assurance review in March 2025 confirmed the school met all regulatory and legislative requirements as of June 2024, with Board Administration and Curriculum requirements met. No composite score was provided.
Full source-linked profile →Dargaville Intermediate
The Board of Trustees has attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of August 2022, with Board Administration and Curriculum requirements confirmed met in the March 2023 ERO board assurance review. No composite score is currently available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Dargaville High School
Dargaville High School attests compliance with the international students Code. No international students were enrolled at the time of the 2022 ERO review. The school's international student provision is reviewed annually.
Full source-linked profile →Aranga School
Aranga School's August 2024 ERO review found most students achieving at expected curriculum levels in reading, with majority achieving in writing and mathematics. Students demonstrate strong sense of belonging, cultural confidence, and positive attitudes toward te reo Māori learning. Student attendance below Ministry targets has been identified as a priority for improvement. Composite score: 63.
Full source-linked profile →Kaihu Valley School
Kaihu Valley School's 2024 ERO board assurance review identified concerns including inadequate board meeting documentation, absence of a 3-year strategic plan, and lack of community consultation on mobile phone policy. The school is currently operating under active limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Tangowahine School
Tangowahine School's July 2024 ERO review found that some students are achieving at curriculum expectations in reading, writing and mathematics, though most need accelerated progress to meet expected levels by Year 8. The school's composite score is 48. School leadership demonstrates improvement focus and purpose, actively engaging external support networks, with high expectations for learning and behaviour supporting improved student engagement and attendance, though regular attendance remains below Ministry targets.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Dargaville schools
What schools are in Dargaville?
Dargaville has 9 schools on our records (7 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 secondary): Dargaville High School, Aranga School, Arapohue School, Dargaville Intermediate, Dargaville Primary School, Kaihu Valley School, Selwyn Park School, St Joseph's Catholic School (Dargaville), Tangowahine School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Dargaville?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Joseph's Catholic School (Dargaville) ranks highest among Dargaville schools (76/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Dargaville 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 Dargaville?
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 Dargaville 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 Dargaville address.
Decile or EQI — how are Dargaville 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).