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Totara School

Alma · Otago Region

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Figures on this page come from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity recorded at the same snapshot. Always confirm enrolment, zoning and fees directly with the school. About this directory

At a glance

About Totara School

Totara School is a co-educational full primary school in Alma, within the Otago Region, operating in the state sector, with 19 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 450. The school has been open since 1883.

With 19 students on roll, Totara School is a very small school — larger than about 6% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 450, 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.

94.7% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 5.3%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.32 (high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 18 · 94.7%
Asian 1 · 5.3%

Total roll recorded: 19 students, from the 2026 roll census. Percentages may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

19Students on rollLarger than 6% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
450Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.21Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.32Isolation indexhigh isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Otago Region
Alma 45.1196° S · 170.8969° E
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Nearby schools

Weston SchoolWeston · Full Primary 4.9 km Fenwick SchoolOamaru · Contributing 5.3 km St Joseph's School (Oamaru)Oamaru · Full Primary 6.5 km Te Pākihi o MaruOamaru · Contributing 6.6 km Waitaki Girls' High SchoolOamaru · Secondary (Year 9-15) 7 km Maheno SchoolMaheno · Full Primary 7.2 km

School information

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural other
  • Territorial authorityWaitaki District
  • Education regionOtago, Southland
  • Regional councilOtago Region
  • Enrolment schemeNo — no enrolment scheme
  • 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
  • Opened1883
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