Schools in Picton
Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast · New Zealand
There are 4 schools in and around Picton (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) — 3 primary, 1 secondary. Waikawa Bay 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.
4 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Picton 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 →
82
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory67ERO review75 - View profile →
57
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing31Trajectory64ERO review75 - View profile →
51
/ 100 composite
Academic59Outcomes27Retention71Wellbeing48Trajectory57ERO review53
More schools in Picton
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- Waitaria Bay School Full Primary · 9 students
What the record says about Picton schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Queen Charlotte College
Queen Charlotte College's board assurance review in December 2024 found the board has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements across all major operational areas. Nine areas of non-compliance were identified during the review, and the board has taken steps to address these. The school has no active Ministry of Education intervention.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Picton schools
What schools are in Picton?
Picton has 4 schools on our records (3 primary, 1 secondary): Queen Charlotte College, Picton School, Waikawa Bay School, Waitaria Bay School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Picton?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Waikawa Bay School ranks highest among Picton schools (82/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Queen Charlotte 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 Picton?
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 Picton 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 Picton address.
Decile or EQI — how are Picton 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).