Schools in Ponsonby
Auckland · Auckland — Central
There are 4 schools in and around Ponsonby, Auckland (Auckland — Central) — 1 primary, 1 intermediate, 2 secondary. St Mary's College (Ponsonby) 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 Ponsonby 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.
- 1St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
Ponsonby · Secondary (Year 7-15) · 1,001 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →86
/ 100 composite
Academic95Outcomes77Retention96Wellbeing98Trajectory44ERO review85 - View profile →
76
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory31ERO review82 - View profile →
73
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing85Trajectory40ERO review82 - View profile →
61
/ 100 composite
Academic94Outcomes8Retention93Wellbeing5Trajectory96ERO review68
What the record says about Ponsonby schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
St Mary's College is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 and has attested compliance with all aspects of the Code. The school's international student provision is well supported, with 36 international students attending at the time of review. International students have good opportunities to participate in leadership, sport and cultural activities, and the school is effectively reviewing its provision against the Code.
Full source-linked profile →Richmond Road School
Richmond Road School's December 2024 ERO review found increasingly equitable and excellent outcomes for most learners across reading, mathematics and writing. The school has developed a collaborative culture with strong relational trust, well-aligned professional learning, and responsive curriculum pathways that celebrate learners' identities and cultures. The school achieved a composite score of 82.
Full source-linked profile →Ponsonby Intermediate
Ponsonby Intermediate's 2023 ERO review identified embedded values that create connectedness and belonging for students, staff and community. The school's 'Ponsonby Experience' supports positive learning culture with high student engagement and academic success, supported by experienced kaiako and a senior leadership team focused on equity and excellence for all ākonga.
Full source-linked profile →St Paul's College (Ponsonby)
St Paul's College had an ERO review in October 2023 as part of Te Ara Huarau. The school has five new senior leaders including a new headmaster. ERO identified strengths in supportive learning relationships, high expectations for all students, and teachers' commitment to professional learning. The school is working with ERO to establish how teaching practice impacts learner progress and achievement.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Ponsonby schools
What schools are in Ponsonby?
Ponsonby, Auckland has 4 schools on our records (1 primary, 1 intermediate, 2 secondary): St Mary's College (Ponsonby), St Paul's College (Ponsonby), Ponsonby Intermediate, Richmond Road School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Ponsonby?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Mary's College (Ponsonby) ranks highest among Ponsonby schools (86/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Ponsonby?
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 Ponsonby 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 Ponsonby address.
Decile or EQI — how are Ponsonby 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).