Schools in Upper Riccarton
Christchurch · Canterbury
There is 1 school in and around Upper Riccarton, Christchurch (Canterbury) — 1 secondary. Villa Maria College 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.
1 school · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Upper Riccarton 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.
- 1Villa Maria College
Upper Riccarton · Secondary (Year 7-15) · 817 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →86
/ 100 composite
Academic97Outcomes73Retention99Wellbeing89Trajectory47ERO review85
What the record says about Upper Riccarton schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College's 2023 ERO review found the school identifies and responds to learners' needs with equity in achievement outcomes. The school uses systematic approaches to review and evaluate initiatives, and staff are increasing their use of te reo, mātauranga Māori, and Pacific cultural competencies. The school's Catholic and Mercy charism forms the foundation for learning review and design.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Upper Riccarton schools
What schools are in Upper Riccarton?
Upper Riccarton, Christchurch has 1 school on our records (1 secondary): Villa Maria College. Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Upper Riccarton?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — Villa Maria College ranks highest among Upper Riccarton 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 Upper Riccarton?
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 Upper Riccarton 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 Upper Riccarton address.
Decile or EQI — how are Upper Riccarton 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).