Schools in New Plymouth
Taranaki & Manawatū · New Zealand
There are 34 schools in and around New Plymouth (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 24 primary, 2 intermediate, 7 secondary. Taranaki Activity Centre 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.
34 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse New Plymouth schools by suburb
10 New Plymouth suburbs have their own schools page.
Top 30 schools in New Plymouth 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.
- 1Taranaki Activity Centre
New Plymouth · Activity Centre · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →90
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review82 - 2Francis Douglas Memorial College
Westown · Secondary (Year 7-15) · 732 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →83
/ 100 composite
Academic95Outcomes71Retention93Wellbeing79Trajectory48ERO review85 - View profile →
83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory56ERO review85 - 4St Pius X School (New Plymouth)
New Plymouth · Contributing · 196 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →83
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory54ERO review85 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Academic80Outcomes—Retention80Wellbeing—Trajectory100ERO review75 - View profile →
81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory57ERO review80 - 7Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)
Fitzroy · Secondary (Year 7-15) · 725 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →80
/ 100 composite
Academic89Outcomes65Retention91Wellbeing88Trajectory52ERO review85 - View profile →
80
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory48ERO review82 - View profile →
80
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory93ERO review54 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing96Trajectory50ERO review82 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory53ERO review75 - 12St John Bosco School (New Plymouth)
New Plymouth · Contributing · 275 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing90Trajectory49ERO review84 - View profile →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory35ERO review83 - View profile →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing94Trajectory64ERO review70 - 15Central School Te Kura Waenga O Ngāmotu
New Plymouth · Contributing · 270 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory28ERO review86 - View profile →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory19ERO review75 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Academic81Outcomes54Retention78Wellbeing43Trajectory69ERO review82 - 18New Plymouth Girls' High School
New Plymouth · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,302 students · EQI 420–449
View profile →67
/ 100 composite
Academic79Outcomes53Retention81Wellbeing52Trajectory49ERO review84 - 19St Joseph's School (New Plymouth)
New Plymouth · Contributing · 297 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →67
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing72Trajectory47ERO review76 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing47Trajectory56ERO review80 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing83Trajectory18ERO review70 - View profile →
60
/ 100 composite
Academic69Outcomes31Retention62Wellbeing74Trajectory77ERO review83 - View profile →
60
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing59Trajectory25ERO review82 - View profile →
57
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing43Trajectory47ERO review75 - 25Te Pi'ipi'inga Kakano Mai I Rangiatea
Spotswood · Composite · 153 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →57
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes2Retention83Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review85 - View profile →
52
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory97ERO review70 - 27Marfell Community School
New Plymouth · Contributing · 130 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →50
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory78ERO review75 - View profile →
46
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory47ERO review85 - View profile →
43
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory47ERO review78 - View profile →
40
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory47ERO review71
More schools in New Plymouth
The rest of New Plymouth'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.
- Spotswood Primary School Contributing · 231 students
- Merrilands School Contributing · 152 students
- Devon Intermediate Intermediate · 340 students
- Uruti School Full Primary · 6 students
What the record says about New Plymouth schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Taranaki Activity Centre
Taranaki Activity Centre is an activity centre serving students across Taranaki, Whanganui, and Manawatū. According to a 2017 ERO review, the centre effectively supports student outcomes, with two-thirds of students returning to school and most making significant progress in attendance, literacy, mathematics, and social-behavioural indicators. The centre maintains strong relationships with health and education professionals to support student wellbeing, with a structured behaviour management approach (composite score: 82).
Full source-linked profile →Francis Douglas Memorial College
The school's hostel (La Salle House) provides a safe physical and emotional environment for boys, with students reporting strong access to wellbeing support and valued friendships. Leadership opportunities are well-developed at senior level, with growing junior leadership being a priority. The school achieved a composite score of 85 in its March 2024 ERO review.
Full source-linked profile →Green School New Zealand
Green School New Zealand's 2020 special ERO review found the school met all registration criteria for Years 1-10, with suitable premises, staffing, and equipment. The school had curriculum plans in place for Year 11 in 2021 and was developing a Diploma for Years 11-13. Policies and procedures were regularly reviewed to maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Full source-linked profile →Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth)
Sacred Heart Girls' College's most recent ERO board assurance review (February 2025) found the board has attested to compliance in board administration, curriculum, health and safety, welfare, personnel management, finance, and assets. However, non-compliance was identified in consultation with the Māori community on policies and plans for improving Māori student progress, and in reporting to the school community on Māori student progress and achievement against targets.
Full source-linked profile →Urenui School
Urenui School's recent ERO review (March 2025) found that success and progress for all learners is increasing, with high quality teaching practice improving achievement in reading, writing and mathematics. Learner outcomes are increasingly equitable and excellent, and students express a strong sense of belonging and pride in their school. The school has a composite score of 82.
Full source-linked profile →New Plymouth Adventist Christian School
The school is led by an acting principal with a permanent principal yet to be appointed. The teaching team has sound knowledge of the New Zealand Curriculum, and school culture is underpinned by its special character with developing cultural responsiveness. The diverse community brings a range of cultural knowledge, languages and practices to the school.
Full source-linked profile →Oakura School
Oakura School received a regular ERO review in November 2024. Most students are engaged and achieve very well in reading and mathematics, with strong leadership promoting a positive school culture and learner wellbeing. The school is working to improve attendance rates to meet Ministry of Education targets.
Full source-linked profile →Vogeltown School
Vogeltown School is a contributing primary school serving 371 students in New Plymouth. An ERO review in December 2022 found the school has existing systems to identify and respond to learner needs, committed leaders developing a learner profile, and a family-like atmosphere celebrating inclusivity and diversity. ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how the learner profile supports all students to achieve valued outcomes.
Full source-linked profile →Welbourn School
Welbourn School's 2018 ERO review found most students achieve well in reading and mathematics, with many exceeding expectations. The school demonstrates strong leadership with a clear vision for learner success and equity, and effectively responds to the needs of Māori and other students requiring learning acceleration. The school has a composite score of 83.
Full source-linked profile →New Plymouth Boys' High School
New Plymouth Boys' High School is a Year 9–15 secondary school with a roll of 1442 students. The school's 2022 Education Review Office assessment of its international student provision found it compliant with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, with effective self-review processes, thorough pre-enrolment and induction procedures, and experienced personnel supporting pastoral care. The school had 8 international students enrolled at the time of review.
Full source-linked profile →New Plymouth Girls' High School
In a December 2024 board assurance review, the Board attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of October 2024. All assurance areas were confirmed, including Board Administration, Curriculum, Health and Safety, Personnel Management, Finance, and Assets. No composite score is currently available.
Full source-linked profile →St Joseph's School (New Plymouth)
St Joseph's School serves 297 students in New Plymouth with a composite score of 76. The school's 2018 ERO review found that most students achieve at or above curriculum expectations in core literacy and numeracy, though disparities exist between girls and boys in literacy and for Māori students in writing. The school is noted for fostering social and emotional wellbeing, providing strategic leadership, and employing well-considered teaching approaches that have supported accelerated progress for many below-level students.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about New Plymouth schools
What schools are in New Plymouth?
New Plymouth has 34 schools on our records (24 primary, 2 intermediate, 7 secondary): New Plymouth Boys' High School, New Plymouth Girls' High School, Spotswood College, Sacred Heart Girls' College (N Plymouth), Francis Douglas Memorial College, Green School New Zealand, Bell Block School, Central School Te Kura Waenga O Ngāmotu, Devon Intermediate, Fitzroy School, Frankley School, Highlands Intermediate, and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in New Plymouth?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Taranaki Activity Centre ranks highest among New Plymouth schools (90/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Francis Douglas Memorial 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 New Plymouth?
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 New Plymouth 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 New Plymouth address.
Decile or EQI — how are New Plymouth 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).