Schools in Kurow
Otago & Southland · New Zealand
There is 1 school in and around Kurow (Otago & Southland) — 1 primary. Waitaki Valley 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 Kurow 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
Wellbeing100Trajectory47ERO review73
What the record says about Kurow schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Waitaki Valley School
Waitaki Valley School's 2022 ERO review found that while teachers effectively use research and evaluation to support target students, interventions to accelerate progress for at-risk learners have not yet achieved intended results. The school needs to focus on raising achievement for boys in reading, writing and mathematics. Strengths include teachers' use of evidence-based approaches and commitment to building staff capability.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Kurow schools
What schools are in Kurow?
Kurow has 1 school on our records (1 primary): Waitaki Valley School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Kurow?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Waitaki Valley School ranks highest among Kurow schools (76/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Kurow?
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 Kurow 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 Kurow address.
Decile or EQI — how are Kurow 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).