Schools in Palmerston North
Taranaki & Manawatū · New Zealand
There are 46 schools in and around Palmerston North (Taranaki & Manawatū) — 31 primary, 3 intermediate, 10 secondary. Mana Tamariki 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.
46 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Palmerston North schools by suburb
15 Palmerston North suburbs have their own schools page.
- Schools in Aokautere 1
- Schools in Awapuni 2
- Schools in Cloverlea 1
- Schools in Highbury 1
- Schools in Hokowhitu 3
- Schools in Kelvin Grove 2
- Schools in Longburn 2
- Schools in Milson 2
- Schools in Opiki 1
- Schools in Palmerston North 1
- Schools in Palmerston North CBD 2
- Schools in Roslyn 3
- Schools in Takaro 1
- Schools in Terrace End 1
- Schools in West End 2
Top 30 schools in Palmerston North 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.
- 1Mana Tamariki
Palmerston North CBD · Composite · 74 students · EQI 420–449
View profile →90
/ 100 composite
Academic—Outcomes—Retention100Wellbeing100Trajectory61ERO review85 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory63ERO review79 - View profile →
81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory66ERO review74 - View profile →
80
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory46ERO review84 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory69ERO review68 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing72Trajectory76ERO review85 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review75 - 8Palmerston North Girls' High School
Palmerston North · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,312 students · EQI 420–449
View profile →77
/ 100 composite
Academic85Outcomes59Retention89Wellbeing88Trajectory58ERO review85 - View profile →
76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing93Trajectory41ERO review84 - 10Manawatu Community High School - Manawatu Kura a Iwi
West End · Activity Centre · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review55 - View profile →
75
/ 100 composite
Academic87Outcomes57Retention91Wellbeing61Trajectory69ERO review80 - View profile →
75
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing93Trajectory39ERO review82 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing82Trajectory64ERO review70 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing92Trajectory53ERO review70 - View profile →
72
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory31ERO review72 - View profile →
72
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing80Trajectory37ERO review86 - 17Palmerston North Boys' High School
Palmerston North · Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,720 students · EQI 420–449
View profile →71
/ 100 composite
Academic76Outcomes57Retention85Wellbeing72Trajectory59ERO review85 - View profile →
71
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing67Trajectory53ERO review85 - View profile →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing85Trajectory86ERO review48 - View profile →
66
/ 100 composite
Academic94Outcomes12Retention91Wellbeing68Trajectory48ERO review91 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Academic82Outcomes13Retention89Wellbeing80Trajectory58ERO review76 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing52Trajectory45ERO review83 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing29Trajectory82ERO review82 - View profile →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing50Trajectory47ERO review84 - View profile →
62
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing47Trajectory59ERO review77 - View profile →
60
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing73Trajectory27ERO review70 - 27Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga
Palmerston North · Intermediate · 383 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →59
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing40Trajectory59ERO review75 - 28St James' Catholic School Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi
Hokowhitu · Contributing · 159 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →57
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing51Trajectory32ERO review77 - View profile →
56
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing59Trajectory51ERO review56 - View profile →
55
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing35Trajectory39ERO review83
More schools in Palmerston North
The rest of Palmerston North'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.
- Palmerston North Adventist Christian School Contributing · 105 students
- Freyberg High School Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1,007 students
- Whakatipuria Teen Parent Unit Teen Parent Unit
- Hiwinui School Full Primary · 135 students
- Awatapu College Secondary (Year 9-15) · 687 students
- Queen Elizabeth College Secondary (Year 7-15) · 359 students
- Kairanga School Full Primary · 167 students
- Roslyn School Full Primary · 386 students
- Terrace End School Contributing · 221 students
- Longburn Adventist College Secondary (Year 7-15) · 219 students
- Central Normal School Contributing · 492 students
- Milson School Contributing · 375 students
- Cloverlea School Contributing · 257 students
- Takaro School Full Primary · 220 students
- Longburn School Full Primary · 88 students
- Te Kura o Wairau Contributing · 178 students
What the record says about Palmerston North schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Mana Tamariki
Mana Tamariki's 2014 ERO review found students exceeded whānau aspirations, with whānau and kaimahi demonstrating strong commitment to te reo Māori transmission. The school achieved high NCEA results, particularly in te reo Māori and te reo Rangatira, and maintained te reo as the kura's primary language. With a composite score of 85, the school reflects clear vision and effective support for intergenerational leadership development.
Full source-linked profile →Our Lady of Lourdes School (P North)
ERO's 2019 review found most students achieving at or above curriculum expectations in reading, writing and mathematics. The school has strengthened support for at-risk students through Priority Learner Intervention Plans and maintains strong community relationships focused on child and family wellbeing. The school achieved a composite score of 79.
Full source-linked profile →Aokautere School
Aokautere School's 2023 ERO review identified a positive school environment reflecting shared values and encouraging student engagement. The school's collaborative leadership approach and staff involvement in literacy professional learning are supporting capability development. The school is currently operating under limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →St Mary's School (P North)
ERO's 2023 review found the school has implemented mathematics curriculum changes over 24 months, with leaders and teachers gathering regular achievement data to evaluate impact. Strengths include inclusive practice reflecting shared values, a positive school environment, and systematic information gathering on learner progress and support outcomes. The school expects to achieve equity and excellence with accelerated progress for students in mathematics.
Full source-linked profile →Bainesse School
Bainesse School's most recent ERO review (May 2025) found that learners experience high levels of success with excellent progress and equitable outcomes across all groups in reading, writing and mathematics. The school provides well-integrated curriculum with breadth and depth across learning areas, including te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori. Students report a strong sense of belonging, and leaders foster high-quality teaching through strong community connections and professional development opportunities.
Full source-linked profile →Palmerston North Girls' High School
ERO's 2024 review found that respectful relationships and a positive learning environment support learners' sense of belonging, and that leadership prioritises continuous improvement for equitable outcomes. Teachers show shared commitment to improving literacy outcomes through collective capability building.
Full source-linked profile →Riverdale School (P North)
Riverdale School achieved very good outcomes in 2017, with over half of learners exceeding curriculum expectations in reading and a third in mathematics. The school implements robust processes to support students with additional needs and demonstrates strong leadership focused on excellence and equity. ERO noted effective teaching practices, professional collaboration, and meaningful inquiry contributing to school improvement and success for Māori students.
Full source-linked profile →Manawatu Community High School - Manawatu Kura a Iwi
This activity centre achieved a composite score of 55 following a 2017 special review. The ERO identified significant concerns about the centre's data collection practices, incomplete reporting to the Ministry of Education, and lack of systematic governance and leadership. Strengths included strong cultural values grounded in tikanga Māori, effective transition support for new students, and culturally responsive practices for Māori learners.
Full source-linked profile →St Peter's College (Palmerston North)
St Peter's College is a Year 7-15 secondary school in Palmerston North with a roll of 757 students. A board assurance review in February 2023 confirmed the board had met all regulatory and legislative requirements as of May 2022, with board administration and curriculum requirements met. No composite score is currently available.
Full source-linked profile →Winchester School (P North)
Winchester School supports most students to achieve equitable outcomes, with almost all students including Māori achieving at or above curriculum expectations in reading, writing and mathematics as of 2017. The school demonstrates consistently good achievement levels across a broad curriculum. Leaders are aware that boys are not achieving as well as girls in writing and have shown a considered approach to change management supporting school-wide improvement.
Full source-linked profile →Newbury School
Newbury School's 2019 ERO review found most students achieve at or above expected levels in reading, writing and mathematics, though Māori student achievement was slightly below peers in literacy and showed increased disparity in mathematics. The school has strengthened systems to promote equity and excellence aligned to its vision and values. The school demonstrates good student achievement outcomes and effective leadership managing school improvement.
Full source-linked profile →Russell Street School
Russell Street School's September 2024 ERO review found the board attested to most regulatory requirements being met, with strengths in board administration, curriculum requirements, and personnel management. Non-compliance was identified in health, safety and welfare management, particularly regarding physical restraint implementation, including gaps in written parental permission, staff authority, incident tracking and reporting, and board communication to the school community.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Palmerston North schools
What schools are in Palmerston North?
Palmerston North has 46 schools on our records (31 primary, 3 intermediate, 10 secondary): Longburn Adventist College, Awatapu College, Freyberg High School, Queen Elizabeth College, Palmerston North Boys' High School, Palmerston North Girls' High School, St Peter's College (Palmerston North), Mana Tamariki, Manukura, Cornerstone Christian School, Aokautere School, Awapuni School (P North), and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Palmerston North?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Mana Tamariki ranks highest among Palmerston North schools (90/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Manukura 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 Palmerston North?
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 Palmerston North 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 Palmerston North address.
Decile or EQI — how are Palmerston North 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).