Schools in Hillcrest
Rotorua · Bay of Plenty
There are 2 schools in and around Hillcrest, Rotorua (Bay of Plenty) — 1 primary, 1 secondary. Malfroy 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.
2 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Hillcrest 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 →
71
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing76Trajectory54ERO review77 - 2Rotorua Girls' High School
Hillcrest · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 595 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →52
/ 100 composite
Academic63Outcomes23Retention61Wellbeing46Trajectory62ERO review82
What the record says about Hillcrest schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Rotorua Girls' High School
Rotorua Girls' High School is a secondary school in Hillcrest with a composite score of 82. The school operates Te Whare Whawhao hostel, which opened in 2023 and accommodates up to 50 boarders in a purpose-built facility. ERO found policies and procedures are fit for purpose, with student wellbeing and engagement central to care provision, supported by the hostel's bicultural foundation and purposeful connections with external agencies.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Hillcrest schools
What schools are in Hillcrest?
Hillcrest, Rotorua has 2 schools on our records (1 primary, 1 secondary): Rotorua Girls' High School, Malfroy School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Hillcrest?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Malfroy School ranks highest among Hillcrest schools (71/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Rotorua Girls' 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 Hillcrest?
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 Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest address.
Decile or EQI — how are Hillcrest 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).