Schools in Lumsden
Otago & Southland · New Zealand
There are 2 schools in and around Lumsden (Otago & Southland) — 1 primary, 1 secondary. Lumsden 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 Lumsden 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 →
87
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory74ERO review84 - View profile →
56
/ 100 composite
Academic78Outcomes11Retention62Wellbeing75Trajectory49ERO review77
What the record says about Lumsden schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Lumsden School
Lumsden School's 2022 ERO review found staff motivated and open to purposeful change aligned with school values, strong professional leadership of teaching and learning, and committed board and staff implementation of the Structured Literacy approach. The school achieved a composite score of 84.
Full source-linked profile →Northern Southland College
An ERO review in 2022 found the college has a welcoming, inclusive culture with staff who know students and whānau well. Key areas for development include raising achievement consistently across all student groups, improving use of data gathering, and strengthening self-review processes. The college works effectively in partnership with external groups and the community.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Lumsden schools
What schools are in Lumsden?
Lumsden has 2 schools on our records (1 primary, 1 secondary): Northern Southland College, Lumsden School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Lumsden?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Lumsden School ranks highest among Lumsden schools (87/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Northern Southland 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 Lumsden?
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 Lumsden 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 Lumsden address.
Decile or EQI — how are Lumsden 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).