Schools in Oamaru
Otago & Southland · New Zealand
There are 10 schools in and around Oamaru (Otago & Southland) — 6 primary, 1 intermediate, 3 secondary. Papakaio 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.
10 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Oamaru 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 →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory43ERO review79 - View profile →
75
/ 100 composite
Academic80Outcomes50Retention86Wellbeing100Trajectory64ERO review85 - View profile →
60
/ 100 composite
Academic77Outcomes29Retention84Wellbeing51Trajectory49ERO review60 - View profile →
60
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing58Trajectory40ERO review74 - View profile →
58
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory100ERO review82 - View profile →
57
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing49Trajectory44ERO review71 - View profile →
52
/ 100 composite
Academic67Outcomes31Retention74Wellbeing0Trajectory67ERO review85 - View profile →
44
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory45ERO review83 - View profile →
43
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory38ERO review84 - View profile →
43
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory41ERO review81
What the record says about Oamaru schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Papakaio School
Papakaio School's Board has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across Board Administration, Curriculum, Health/Safety/Welfare, Personnel Management, Finance, and Assets. One area of non-compliance was identified: the school needs to work towards offering year 7 and 8 students opportunities for learning second or subsequent languages. The Board has taken steps to address this.
Full source-linked profile →St Kevins College (Oamaru)
St Kevins College's hostel provides a safe environment for boarders with comprehensive systems to monitor students' whereabouts and leave. The trust board receives wide-ranging monthly reporting on student wellbeing, compliance, and safety matters. The school has a composite score of 85.
Full source-linked profile →Waitaki Girls' High School
Waitaki Girls' High School's February 2025 board assurance review found the school met regulatory and legislative requirements across six areas, with one identified non-compliance regarding identity document checks under the Children's Act 2024 that the board has since addressed. The school is currently operating under a limited statutory manager appointment from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →St Joseph's School (Oamaru)
St Joseph's School (Oamaru) has identified declining achievement trends in literacy and is developing structured explicit teaching approaches in literacy and mathematics. The school maintains strong mana-enhancing relationships with teachers, students, families and whānau, and fosters an inclusive culture that values all students' identities and languages. The school supports a significant number of English language learners and continues to work on equitable achievement support.
Full source-linked profile →Te Pākihi o Maru
Te Pākihi o Maru's three-year literacy strategy has successfully improved progress rates in this area. The school's leaders model a collaborative, culturally responsive approach that creates inclusive learning environments. However, ERO identified that all students' progress rates in mathematics need to improve, particularly for students requiring accelerated learning.
Full source-linked profile →Oamaru Intermediate
Oamaru Intermediate has an inclusive learning culture with clear expectations that support students' sense of belonging and positive relationships. The school uses targeted programmes and community partnerships to respond to diverse learning needs. ERO findings from September 2023 identified that a significant proportion of students need targeted learning support in reading and writing.
Full source-linked profile →Waitaki Boys' High School
Waitaki Boys' High School's hostel received a positive ERO review in March 2023, with findings noting high-quality pastoral care, effective monitoring systems for boarder wellbeing, and significant improvements in management following staffing changes. Strengths include strong collaboration between hostel and school staff and robust formal and informal support systems for student health and wellbeing. The school has a composite score of 85.
Full source-linked profile →Ardgowan School
Ardgowan School received a Te Ara Huarau review in March 2023. A new principal began in March 2022 and is leading school-wide tikanga Māori practices, with partnerships being forged with local experts and rūnaka to support Mātauranga Māori. The school demonstrates strengths in culturally aware learning, effective teaching programmes responsive to diverse learners, and positive relationships supporting wellbeing. The school is currently under limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Fenwick School
Fenwick School's 2022 ERO review found that teachers and leaders collaborate effectively to identify learners' needs and implement appropriate teaching practices. The school has embedded systems supporting quality teaching and learning, and has developed strong relationships with whānau and community.
Full source-linked profile →Pembroke School (Oamaru)
Pembroke School's Board of Trustees attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across six key administrative areas. The 2023 ERO review identified three areas of non-compliance: employment of a person without a current practising certificate, inadequate safety checking records, and missing written records on physical restraint use. The Board has taken steps to address these areas.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Oamaru schools
What schools are in Oamaru?
Oamaru has 10 schools on our records (6 primary, 1 intermediate, 3 secondary): Waitaki Boys' High School, Waitaki Girls' High School, St Kevins College (Oamaru), Ardgowan School, Fenwick School, Pembroke School (Oamaru), Oamaru Intermediate, Te Pākihi o Maru, Papakaio School, St Joseph's School (Oamaru). Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Oamaru?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Papakaio School ranks highest among Oamaru schools (77/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, St Kevins College (Oamaru) 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 Oamaru?
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 Oamaru 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 Oamaru address.
Decile or EQI — how are Oamaru 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).