Schools in Port Chalmers
Otago & Southland · New Zealand
There are 2 schools in and around Port Chalmers (Otago & Southland) — 2 primary. Sawyers 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.
2 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Port Chalmers schools by suburb
1 Port Chalmers suburb has their own schools page.
Schools in Port Chalmers 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 →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory20ERO review75 - View profile →
41
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory26ERO review85
What the record says about Port Chalmers schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Sawyers Bay School
Sawyers Bay School is a contributing primary school located in Port Chalmers with 109 students. An ERO review in July 2022 found the school focuses on knowing individual students well and has strong learner-focused relationships with whānau and community, supported by a capable teaching team with high expectations. The review also identified that some students have historical barriers to learning that have not yet responded well to acceleration efforts.
Full source-linked profile →Port Chalmers School
Port Chalmers School's 2024 ERO review found most learners achieving at or above curriculum expectations in writing, reading and mathematics, with Māori learners' achievement now equitable or better than their peers. The school has eliminated disparity for Māori learners in writing and mathematics and sustained accelerated progress in literacy. Students demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and whanaungatanga.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Port Chalmers schools
What schools are in Port Chalmers?
Port Chalmers has 2 schools on our records (2 primary): Port Chalmers School, Sawyers Bay School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Port Chalmers?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Sawyers Bay School ranks highest among Port Chalmers schools (70/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Port Chalmers?
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 Port Chalmers 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 Port Chalmers address.
Decile or EQI — how are Port Chalmers 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).