Schools in Whau Valley
Whangarei · Northland
There are 2 schools in and around Whau Valley, Whangarei (Northland) — 2 primary. St Francis Xavier Catholic School (Whangarei) 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.
2 schools · refreshed from Education Counts 2026-07-12. Full methodology.
Schools in Whau Valley 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.
- 1St Francis Xavier Catholic School (Whangarei)
Whau Valley · Contributing · 508 students · EQI <420 (most advantaged)
View profile →81
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing100Trajectory51ERO review83 - View profile →
74
/ 100 composite
Wellbeing75Trajectory69ERO review75
What the record says about Whau Valley schools
Plain-language summaries distilled from each school's ERO reports and Ministry records. Every claim is source-linked on the school's profile.
Whau Valley School
Whau Valley School received a Te Ara Huarau review in March 2024, with findings that students experience high levels of engagement and that teachers accelerate progress and achievement for all students. The school prioritises student wellbeing and demonstrates strengths in collaborative teacher practices and relationship-based learning approaches. Composite score: 75.
Full source-linked profile →Frequently asked questions about Whau Valley schools
What schools are in Whau Valley?
Whau Valley, Whangarei has 2 schools on our records (2 primary): Whau Valley School, St Francis Xavier Catholic School (Whangarei). Every school links to a source-backed profile with ERO history, NCEA results and audited financials.
What is the best school in Whau Valley?
On the SchoolsNearMe value-added composite — which scores each school against its EQI peer group across all year levels — St Francis Xavier Catholic School (Whangarei) ranks highest among Whau Valley schools (81/100). "Best" depends on what you value — compare profiles to weigh academic results, ERO trajectory, retention and wellbeing.
What is the school zone for Whau Valley?
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 Whau Valley 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 Whau Valley address.
Decile or EQI — how are Whau Valley 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).