Schools in Western Heights
Rotorua · Bay of Plenty
There are 3 schools in and around Western Heights, Rotorua (Bay of Plenty) — 2 primary, 1 intermediate. St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) 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.
3 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Western Heights 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 →
63
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory33ERO review49 - 2Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua)
Western Heights · Contributing · 439 students · EQI 510+ (most disadvantaged)
View profile →45
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory41ERO review86 - View profile →
26
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing0Trajectory17ERO review55
What the record says about Western Heights 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 Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua)
St Michael's Catholic School is a small state integrated school serving Years 1-6 with a focus on Catholic character, Mercy Charism, cultural diversity and family values. ERO noted the school's valued connections with kaumatua, whānau and the parish community, alongside its commitment to a caring, inclusive environment and collaborative staff focused on improving learner outcomes. The school and ERO are working together to evaluate how well all learners are spiritually and culturally empowered to achieve personal success.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Western Heights schools
What schools are in Western Heights?
Western Heights, Rotorua has 3 schools on our records (2 primary, 1 intermediate): Kaitao Intermediate, St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua), Western Heights Primary School (Rotorua). Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Western Heights?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Michael's Catholic School (Rotorua) ranks highest among Western Heights schools (63/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Western Heights?
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 Western Heights 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 Western Heights address.
Decile or EQI — how are Western Heights 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).