Schools in Lower Hutt
Wellington · New Zealand
There are 55 schools in and around Lower Hutt (Wellington) — 37 primary, 4 intermediate, 12 secondary. Kimi Ora 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.
55 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Lower Hutt schools by suburb
21 Lower Hutt suburbs have their own schools page.
- Schools in Alicetown 1
- Schools in Avalon 2
- Schools in Belmont 3
- Schools in Boulcott 1
- Schools in Days Bay 1
- Schools in Eastbourne 1
- Schools in Fairfield 1
- Schools in Gracefield 1
- Schools in Kelson 1
- Schools in Lower Hutt 1
- Schools in Maungaraki 1
- Schools in Moera 1
- Schools in Naenae 6
- Schools in Normandale 1
- Schools in Petone 6
- Schools in Stokes Valley 3
- Schools in Taita 4
- Schools in Wainuiomata 8
- Schools in Waiwhetu 1
- Schools in Waterloo 1
- Schools in Woburn 1
Top 30 schools in Lower Hutt 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 →
90
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review75 - View profile →
88
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review70 - View profile →
83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing93Trajectory72ERO review81 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Academic96Outcomes58Retention94Wellbeing96Trajectory50ERO review80 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory54ERO review84 - 6Hutt Valley Activity Centre
Petone · Activity Centre · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review64 - View profile →
80
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory61ERO review74 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Academic90Outcomes57Retention93Wellbeing94Trajectory55ERO review75 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory49ERO review79 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory54ERO review73 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory44ERO review79 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review75 - 13Sts Peter and Paul School (L Hutt)
Lower Hutt · Full Primary · 472 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review75 - View profile →
75
/ 100 composite
Academic84Outcomes57Retention90Wellbeing77Trajectory65ERO review77 - 15Encompass Education Hub (Proposed opening date: 2026-07-20)
Petone · Secondary (Year 9-15) · — students · EQI unknown
View profile →75
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention—Wellbeing—Trajectory—ERO review75 - View profile →
74
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing58Trajectory100ERO review72 - View profile →
74
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing92Trajectory54ERO review71 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Academic82Outcomes56Retention83Wellbeing77Trajectory52ERO review85 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing80Trajectory50ERO review82 - View profile →
72
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing83Trajectory52ERO review74 - View profile →
71
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing87Trajectory42ERO review75 - View profile →
69
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory38ERO review61 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing70Trajectory43ERO review83 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing81Trajectory40ERO review75 - View profile →
66
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing83Trajectory20ERO review81 - View profile →
66
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing67Trajectory52ERO review75 - View profile →
65
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing91Trajectory14ERO review75 - View profile →
64
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing—Trajectory34ERO review82 - 29Raphael House Rudolf Steiner Area School
Belmont · Composite · 278 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →63
/ 100 composite
Academic94Outcomes10Retention96Wellbeing66Trajectory22ERO review77 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Academic84Outcomes11Retention95Wellbeing74Trajectory46ERO review71
More schools in Lower Hutt
The rest of Lower Hutt'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.
- Belmont School (Lower Hutt) Contributing · 324 students
- Chilton Saint James School Composite · 251 students
- Pukeatua Primary School (Wainuiomata) Full Primary · 160 students
- Waterloo School Contributing · 538 students
- St Claudine Thevenet School Full Primary · 211 students
- Wainuiomata High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 695 students
- Wainuiomata Intermediate Intermediate · 323 students
- Muritai School Full Primary · 356 students
- Te Puni School - Te kura o Te Puni Contributing · 178 students
- Gracefield School Contributing · 212 students
- Naenae Intermediate Intermediate · 310 students
- Tui Glen School Full Primary · 174 students
- Naenae College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 814 students
- Taita College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 325 students
- Rata Street School Contributing · 319 students
- Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Māori o ngā Kōhanga Reo o Te Awa Kairangi Composite · 400 students
- Fernlea School Contributing · 216 students
- Wainuiomata Primary School Contributing · 248 students
- Tawhai School Contributing · 353 students
- Arakura School Contributing · 154 students
- Dyer Street School Contributing · 198 students
- Randwick School Full Primary · 122 students
- Taita Central School Contributing · 119 students
- Pomare School Contributing · 93 students
- Koraunui School Contributing · 186 students
What the record says about Lower Hutt schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Kimi Ora School
Kimi Ora School's 2024 ERO review found students experience a positive and supportive environment responsive to individual learning goals, with distributed leadership creating conditions for improved learner outcomes. Planning consistently reflects transdisciplinary knowledge of learners. The school is currently subject to a limited statutory manager intervention by the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Naenae School
Naenae School is a contributing primary school serving 365 students in Lower Hutt. The 2020 ERO review found a large majority of students achieving at expected curriculum levels in reading, mathematics and writing across English medium and Te Kohanga Te Ra, with notable strengths in culturally responsive practices and Māori immersion learning provision. The school has collaborative, improvement-focused leadership and achieves a composite score of 81.
Full source-linked profile →St Oran's College
St Oran's College received a te ara huarau review from ERO in September 2023. The school has proactive curriculum and qualifications planning, well-established professional development systems aligned with priorities, and developing structures for Māori whānau and student consultation. The school achieved a composite score of 80.
Full source-linked profile →Hutt Valley Activity Centre
Hutt Valley Activity Centre is an activity centre in Petone supporting students with alternative education pathways. The 2017 ERO review found positive outcomes in student transitions (89% progressing to education or employment) and improving attendance rates, with strong staff relationships and wellbeing support. However, the centre had not yet demonstrated positive academic outcomes at the time of review. Composite score: 64.
Full source-linked profile →St Michael's School (Taita)
St Michael's School (Taita) is a full primary school in Taita, Lower Hutt. The Board of Trustees has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across all six key areas: Board Administration, Curriculum, Health/Safety/Welfare, Personnel Management, Finance, and Assets, as confirmed in the June 2023 board assurance review. The school is currently subject to a limited statutory manager intervention.
Full source-linked profile →Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)
Sacred Heart College is a secondary school in Lower Hutt with a roll of 820 students. An ERO review in June 2022 examined the school's compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. The school is a signatory to the Code and attested compliance with all aspects; no international students were enrolled at the time of review.
Full source-linked profile →Our Lady of the Rosary School (Waiwhetu)
Our Lady of the Rosary School (Waiwhetu) is a full primary school serving 282 students in Lower Hutt. The October 2023 ERO review found that while most learners achieve at or above expectations in reading, writing and mathematics, some groups need acceleration in literacy. The school's strengths include strongly embedded virtues guiding relationships and behaviour, reflective learning across the school community, and culturally responsive literacy practices.
Full source-linked profile →Maranatha Christian School
Maranatha Christian School's latest ERO review in March 2024 found that leadership encourages innovation and excellence in teacher practice, and that the school actively participates in the Lower North Island Christian Kahui Ako to support professional learning. The school community is described as united in Christ, supportive, diverse and engaged. The school's composite score is 73.
Full source-linked profile →Sacred Heart School (Petone)
Sacred Heart School is a full primary school in Petone with 163 students. The school's 2023 ERO review identified strong relational trust between students, teachers and whānau as a key strength, alongside a committed board focused on learner achievement and wellbeing. The school is prioritising the development of a refreshed, responsive localised curriculum framework.
Full source-linked profile →Hutt Valley High School
Hutt Valley High School's 2023 ERO review found the school has a structured Professional Learning Plan informed by culturally responsive teaching practices, with positive classroom relationships supporting calm and purposeful learning. The school maintains a culture of continuous student-centered and staff review to inform outcomes.
Full source-linked profile →St Bernard's College
St Bernard's College was reviewed by ERO in 2022 on international student support and found to have sound processes supporting international students' settlement and belonging. The school maintains small numbers of international students and provides personalised pastoral care, academic tracking, and regular communication with families and staff. The school has a composite score of 85.
Full source-linked profile →Boulcott School
Boulcott School is a contributing primary school in Lower Hutt with a roll of 345 students. The most recent board assurance review in February 2025 confirmed the board has met regulatory and legislative requirements, with board administration and curriculum requirements confirmed as of May 2024. No composite ERO score is currently available.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Lower Hutt schools
What schools are in Lower Hutt?
Lower Hutt has 55 schools on our records (37 primary, 4 intermediate, 12 secondary): Raphael House Rudolf Steiner Area School, Taita College, Naenae College, St Bernard's College, Hutt Valley High School, Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt), Chilton Saint James School, St Oran's College, Wainuiomata High School, Kimi Ora School, Maranatha Christian School, Wā Ora Montessori, and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Lower Hutt?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Kimi Ora School ranks highest among Lower Hutt schools (90/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, St Oran's College 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 Lower Hutt?
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 Lower Hutt 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 Lower Hutt address.
Decile or EQI — how are Lower Hutt 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).