Schools in Timaru
Canterbury · New Zealand
There are 17 schools in and around Timaru (Canterbury) — 12 primary, 5 secondary. Sacred Heart School (Timaru) 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.
17 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Browse Timaru schools by suburb
6 Timaru suburbs have their own schools page.
Schools in Timaru 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 →
86
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory72ERO review83 - View profile →
81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory49ERO review84 - 3Craighead Diocesan School
West End · Secondary (Year 7-15) · 415 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →80
/ 100 composite
Academic99Outcomes47Retention97Wellbeing90Trajectory60ERO review74 - View profile →
79
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory56ERO review75 - View profile →
74
/ 100 composite
Academic80Outcomes55Retention85Wellbeing97Trajectory51ERO review85 - View profile →
70
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing66Trajectory54ERO review83 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Academic74Outcomes58Retention72Wellbeing53Trajectory83ERO review82 - View profile →
68
/ 100 composite
Academic85Outcomes37Retention84Wellbeing66Trajectory60ERO review82 - View profile →
55
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing32Trajectory58ERO review72 - 10Oceanview Heights School
Marchwiel · Full Primary · 109 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →52
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory100ERO review68 - View profile →
50
/ 100 composite
Academic62Outcomes36Retention63Wellbeing18Trajectory53ERO review75 - View profile →
50
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing54Trajectory70ERO review35 - View profile →
48
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory67ERO review77 - View profile →
43
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory53ERO review75 - View profile →
42
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory45ERO review78 - View profile →
40
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory40ERO review75 - View profile →
37
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory52ERO review60
What the record says about Timaru schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Sacred Heart School (Timaru)
Sacred Heart School (Timaru) received a regular ERO review in September 2024. Most learners achieve at expected curriculum levels in reading and mathematics, with writing identified as a priority for some. The school demonstrates effective identification and monitoring of learner wellbeing and learning needs, with Māori learners consistently exceeding other groups across all curriculum areas. The school's composite score is 83.
Full source-linked profile →St Joseph's School (Timaru)
St Joseph's School (Timaru) is a full primary school serving 227 students in Timaru. ERO review (June 2022) found senior leaders and teachers closely track each child's progress and understand their next learning steps. School leaders provide strong pedagogical leadership focused on developing lifelong learners and well-rounded citizens, with a senior management team that actively gathers staff, parent, and student voice. The school has a composite score of 84.
Full source-linked profile →Craighead Diocesan School
Craighead Diocesan School is a secondary school in Timaru with a composite score of 74. The hostel provides a safe environment with effective systems for monitoring boarders' security and wellbeing, supported by good facilities and clear communication between hostel and school. Boarders benefit from leadership opportunities and high participation in sports and after-school activities.
Full source-linked profile →Roncalli College
Roncalli College's 2023 ERO review identified culturally responsive curriculum and improving equity for boys and Māori students as key improvement priorities. The school's strengths include a flexible, responsive curriculum reflecting student interests, pastoral support meeting diverse needs, and strong student leadership opportunities. No composite score was assigned in this review.
Full source-linked profile →Gleniti School
Gleniti School's board attested to meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of May 2023, with board administration and curriculum requirements confirmed in the October 2023 board assurance review. No composite score was available at the time of this summary.
Full source-linked profile →Timaru Boys' High School
Timaru Boys' High School's Board of Trustees confirmed in their May 2023 board assurance review that regulatory, legislative, and curriculum requirements were being met as of May 2022. No active Ministry of Education intervention is in place. A composite score is not available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Timaru Girls' High School
Timaru Girls' High School's Board of Trustees has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements in Board Administration, Curriculum, and Management of Health, Safety and Welfare, as confirmed in the October 2023 Board Assurance Review. No composite score is currently available for this school.
Full source-linked profile →Mountainview High School
Mountainview High School's Board of Trustees confirmed meeting all regulatory and legislative requirements as of November 2022, with board administration and curriculum requirements verified in the May 2023 ERO board assurance review. No active Ministry of Education intervention is in place.
Full source-linked profile →Highfield School
Highfield School's August 2023 ERO review found that school governance and leadership are committed to inclusion and equity, with an inclusive school culture promoting belonging for all students. Inclusive teaching practices are increasingly removing barriers to learning for diverse students. The school has a composite score of 77.
Full source-linked profile →Waimataitai School
Waimataitai School is a full primary school in Timaru with a roll of 506 students. The 2018 ERO review found most students achieved at or above school expectations in reading and mathematics, with targeted responses effectively reducing in-school disparity for some groups. The school demonstrates a school-wide focus on equity and excellence, supported by experienced leadership and effective processes that create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Timaru schools
What schools are in Timaru?
Timaru has 17 schools on our records (12 primary, 5 secondary): Craighead Diocesan School, Roncalli College, Mountainview High School, Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School, Timaru Christian School, Oceanview Heights School, Grantlea Downs School, Barton Rural School, Bluestone School, Beaconsfield School, Timaru South School, and more. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Timaru?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Sacred Heart School (Timaru) ranks highest among Timaru schools (86/100). On NCEA and University Entrance results, Craighead Diocesan 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 Timaru?
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 Timaru 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 Timaru address.
Decile or EQI — how are Timaru 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).