Schools in Petone
Lower Hutt · Wellington
There are 6 schools in and around Petone, Lower Hutt (Wellington) — 4 primary, 1 secondary. Petone Central 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.
6 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Petone 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 →
88
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory100ERO review70 - View profile →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory54ERO review84 - 3Hutt Valley Activity Centre
Petone · Activity Centre · — students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory—ERO review64 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review75 - 5Encompass 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 →
65
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing91Trajectory14ERO review75
What the record says about Petone schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's 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 →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 →Frequently asked questions about Petone schools
What schools are in Petone?
Petone, Lower Hutt has 6 schools on our records (4 primary, 1 secondary): Korokoro School, Petone Central School, Sacred Heart School (Petone), Wilford School, Encompass Education Hub (Proposed opening date: 2026-07-20), Hutt Valley Activity Centre. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Petone?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Petone Central School ranks highest among Petone schools (88/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Petone?
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 Petone 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 Petone address.
Decile or EQI — how are Petone 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).