Schools in Thames
Waikato · New Zealand
There are 10 schools in and around Thames (Waikato) — 9 primary, 1 secondary. Turua Primary 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.
10 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Thames schools by suburb
5 Thames suburbs have their own schools page.
Schools in Thames 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 →
85
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory65ERO review84 - View profile →
84
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory85ERO review70 - View profile →
78
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory43ERO review81 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory23ERO review69 - View profile →
57
/ 100 composite
Academic71Outcomes32Retention81Wellbeing43Trajectory36ERO review71 - View profile →
38
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory40ERO review70 - View profile →
35
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory24ERO review72
More schools in Thames
These schools don't yet have a composite score (often small rolls or limited scored data). Their full source-linked profiles are still available.
- Puriri School Full Primary · 23 students
- Kopuarahi School Full Primary · 8 students
- Tapu School Full Primary · 7 students
What the record says about Thames schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Thames High School
Thames High School's Board of Trustees completed a comprehensive attestation to the Ministry of Education confirming compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements across Board Administration, Curriculum, Health and Safety, Personnel, Finance, and Assets. The October 2023 ERO review identified two compliance gaps: police vetting had not been renewed every three years for at least one person, and the process for filling a casual board vacancy was not sufficiently undertaken. The Board demonstrated strength in its comprehensive approach to regulatory compliance oversight.
Full source-linked profile →Pārāwai School
Pārāwai School's 2019 ERO review found that while the school has collaborative leadership and engaging learning environments, it is yet to achieve equity and excellence for all students, with significant disparity between Māori and Pākehā achievement. Student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics showed a slight decline between 2017 and 2018, though some Māori and other students have made accelerated progress. The school offers a broad curriculum catering to student interests and learning needs, with a composite score of 70.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Thames schools
What schools are in Thames?
Thames has 10 schools on our records (9 primary, 1 secondary): Thames High School, Kopuarahi School, Matatoki School, Moanataiari School, Pārāwai School, Puriri School, St Francis School (Thames), Tapu School, Thames South School, Turua Primary School. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Thames?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Turua Primary School ranks highest among Thames schools (85/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Thames High School 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 Thames?
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 Thames 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 Thames address.
Decile or EQI — how are Thames 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).