NewzSchools New Zealand School Directory
Browse all schools

hello@newzschools.nz
NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

Ardgowan School

Oamaru · Otago Region

Full Primary · State · Co-Educational · Rural other · Enrolment scheme

School website Get directions

Ardgowan School at a glance

Ardgowan School is a co-educational full primary school in Oamaru, within the Otago Region, operating in the state sector, with 131 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 453. The school has been open since 1903.

With 131 students on roll, Ardgowan School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 33% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 453, which is below the national average of 463. A lower Equity Index signals less socio-economic need in the school's community than the national norm.

86.7% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Middle Eastern / Latin American / African descent make up 4.9%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.25 (high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 12486.7%
Pasifika 64.2%
Asian 64.2%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 74.9%
European 124 · 86.7%
Pasifika 6 · 4.2%
Asian 6 · 4.2%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 7 · 4.9%

Total roll recorded: 131 students. Percentages are calculated from the 2026 roll census and may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

131Students on rollLarger than 33% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
453Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.54Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.25Isolation indexhigh isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural other
  • Territorial authorityWaitaki District
  • Education regionOtago, Southland
  • Regional councilOtago Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionAll students taught in English/other setting
  • Cohort entryNo — individual entry
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1903
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaLower Waitaki
  • WardOamaru Ward
  • General electorateWaitaki
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Otago Region
Oamaru 45.0612° S · 170.9672° E
Open in Maps

Nearby schools

St Kevins College (Oamaru)Oamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) 1.3 km Oamaru IntermediateOamaru · Intermediate 2.1 km Pembroke School (Oamaru)Oamaru · Contributing 2.2 km Waitaki Boys' High SchoolOamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) 2.7 km Waitaki Girls' High SchoolOamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) 3.1 km Te Pākihi o MaruOamaru · Contributing 3.4 km

Similar schools

About this data

School #3704 is drawn from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity figures recorded at the same snapshot. Equity Index, isolation index, enrolment scheme and boarding fields are as published by the Ministry. Qualification attainment statistics on this site come from Education Counts releases.

Figures are provided for information and comparison only. NewzSchools is an independent directory, is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and does not endorse or rank schools. Always confirm enrolment details, zone boundaries and fees directly with the school.

Corrections and updates: contact the directory.

More in Otago Region

Other schools in the region.

All Otago Region schools
Compare schools

See how other schools stack up.

Filter 2,578 schools by region, type, roll size, Equity Index, boarding and enrolment scheme.

Open the directory NCEA results
Data as at
1 September 2026
Schools listed
2,578
Regions
18