Schools in Putaruru
Waikato · New Zealand
There are 6 schools in and around Putaruru (Waikato) — 4 primary, 2 secondary. St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) 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.
Browse Putaruru schools by suburb
1 Putaruru suburb has their own schools page.
Schools in Putaruru 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 →
77
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory43ERO review78 - View profile →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing84Trajectory47ERO review71 - 3Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Patetere
Putaruru · Composite · 304 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →66
/ 100 composite
Academic84Outcomes2Retention86Wellbeing100Trajectory92ERO review68 - View profile →
48
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing6Trajectory75ERO review67 - View profile →
41
/ 100 composite
Academic55Outcomes20Retention51Wellbeing0Trajectory67ERO review75 - View profile →
32
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory22ERO review67
What the record says about Putaruru 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 Catholic School (Putāruru)
St Mary's Catholic School has an established leadership team focused on equity and excellence, with formative assessment practices that guide teaching and learning. The school has identified a need to reassess its approach to mathematics teaching. The school's composite score is 78.
Full source-linked profile →Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Patetere
Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Patetere is a composite school in Putaruru serving 304 students. The school's culture of care, respect and collaboration supports uri as confident literate and numerate learners, with uri in wharekura serving as cultural leaders. A more deliberate transition approach is needed for uri with limited te reo Māori. The school achieved a composite score of 68 in its 2022 ERO review.
Full source-linked profile →Putāruru College
Putāruru College's 2022 Board Assurance Review found the Board attested to meeting regulatory requirements across key areas including administration, curriculum, and health and safety. One non-compliance was identified regarding police vetting renewal for non-teaching staff, which the Board has since addressed. The school is currently subject to limited statutory manager intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Putaruru schools
What schools are in Putaruru?
Putaruru has 6 schools on our records (4 primary, 2 secondary): Putāruru College, Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Patetere, Putāruru Primary School, Lichfield School, St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru), Te Waotu School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Putaruru?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Mary's Catholic School (Putāruru) ranks highest among Putaruru schools (77/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Putāruru 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 Putaruru?
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 Putaruru 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 Putaruru address.
Decile or EQI — how are Putaruru 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).