School deciles

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the term school deciles thrown around over the years—at school meetings, in news articles, or from other parents chatting at pick-up. It’s one of those things we all nod along to, even if we’re not entirely sure what it means. But here’s the thing: the old decile rating system has officially been phased out and replaced by something new—called the Equity Index.

Now, before you panic thinking “Another thing I need to get my head around?”, don’t worry—this article will walk you through what the decile system was all about, why it’s been replaced, and what this new Equity Index actually means for your child’s school.

Even though the decile system is now considered outdated, you might still come across the term from time to time, especially in older documents or when talking to parents who’ve had children in school for a while. So it’s helpful to know how it worked and how the new system compares.

At the end of the day, we all just want to make the best choices for our kids’ education—and having a clear understanding of how schools are resourced and supported is a good place to start.

What Were Deciles? (The Old System)

So, what actually were school deciles?

In simple terms, the decile system was a way the New Zealand government grouped schools based on the general socio-economic background of their students’ families. Schools were given a number from 1 to 10—Decile 1 schools were in communities with the highest levels of social and economic disadvantage, while Decile 10 schools were in more affluent areas.

It’s important to understand that these numbers had nothing to do with how good or bad a school was. A Decile 1 school wasn’t a “bad” school, just as a Decile 10 school wasn’t necessarily “better.” The decile rating was purely a funding tool, used to work out how much additional support a school might need to help its students succeed.

The idea was that schools in lower socio-economic areas often faced more challenges, so they’d receive more government funding to level the playing field a bit. It wasn’t perfect—and as you’ll soon read, it had its flaws—but at its heart, the decile system was meant to be about fairness, not judgement.

What Factors Made Up a School’s Decile Rating?

You might be wondering how those decile numbers were actually worked out. It wasn’t just a finger in the air or based on the school itself—it was all about the community around it.

The Ministry of Education looked at five key factors taken from census data to help determine each school’s rating:

• Household income – the percentage of families in the area with very low incomes.
• Occupation – how many parents were in low-skilled jobs.
• Household crowding – basically, how many people were living in a home compared to how many bedrooms there were.
• Parental education – the number of parents without school or tertiary qualifications.
• Income support – the proportion of parents receiving government benefits.

So, the lower the income and qualifications in the community, and the more overcrowded or reliant on support families were, the lower the school’s decile rating would be. It wasn’t perfect, but the idea was to make sure schools in communities facing more challenges got a bit of extra help where it was needed most.

Again, just to be clear—this information wasn’t about individual families or students. It was all based on averages across the community, and it didn’t reflect the actual education or care your child would receive at a particular school.

Common Misconceptions About Deciles

One of the biggest problems with the old decile system was how misunderstood it was—especially among parents.

It was really easy to fall into the trap of thinking a higher decile meant a “better” school. I’ve even heard mums say things like, “Oh, we didn’t look at that school—it’s only a decile 3,” as if that number somehow reflected poor teaching or bad outcomes. But honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The decile number was never meant to measure how well a school performed, how caring the teachers were, or how happy the kids were. It had nothing to do with academic achievement or school quality. It was simply a way to distribute funding more fairly, based on the needs of the school’s wider community.

Unfortunately, over time, those numbers started to carry a bit of a stigma. Some families would avoid lower-decile schools altogether without really understanding what the rating meant. And in many cases, those schools were doing an incredible job with fewer resources, serving amazing communities full of heart.

So if you ever find yourself chatting with someone who still brings up a school’s decile rating, you can gently let them know—it was a funding label, not a quality score.

Real-Life Impact of the Decile System

While the decile system was mainly about funding, it did end up having some knock-on effects in everyday school life.

For lower-decile schools (say, Decile 1–3), the government provided more financial support. This was meant to help cover extra learning needs, support staff, and resources for things like free lunches, school trips, or learning aides. These schools were often dealing with bigger challenges, so the funding helped level the playing field a bit.

On the other hand, higher-decile schools (Decile 8–10) received less funding and often relied more heavily on parental donations, fundraising events, and extra fees. You might notice that these schools sometimes had flash facilities or extra programmes, but that often came down to the families chipping in more.

One thing to be mindful of is how the decile label affected public perception. A school’s reputation could take a hit just because it was a lower decile—even if it had brilliant teachers, strong leadership, and happy, thriving students.

It’s a bit heartbreaking really, because some of the most nurturing, community-driven schools in the country were written off by people who didn’t understand what the number actually meant.

The Shift to the Equity Index

In 2023, the government officially waved goodbye to the old decile system and rolled out something new: the Equity Index. And honestly? It’s a much-needed upgrade.

The Equity Index (sometimes shortened to EQI) is designed to be a fairer, more detailed way of figuring out which schools need the most support. Instead of relying on just five census-based factors like the old decile system, the Equity Index uses 39 different indicators—yes, 39! That means a far more accurate picture of what challenges children might be facing in their learning environments.

It includes things like whether a child has moved schools frequently, whether their parent or caregiver has been in prison, or whether their whānau has been supported by certain government services. It’s not about labelling kids—it’s about understanding the realities they’re coming from, and making sure schools get the funding to support them properly.

One of the best changes? The Equity Index numbers aren’t public. That means schools won’t be judged based on a single number anymore, and parents won’t accidentally use that number to make assumptions about school quality. It helps take away the stigma that was tied to deciles, while still ensuring that extra resources go to the schools that truly need them.

So while the system is still all about fairness, it’s now more thoughtful, more nuanced, and a lot less likely to be misunderstood.

Key Features of the Equity Index

Alright, let’s unpack what this new Equity Index actually looks like—without getting too technical (because let’s be honest, none of us are in the mood for a government policy deep-dive after a long day wrangling kids!).

Here’s what you need to know:

• Each school now has an Equity Index number—a three-digit score that helps the Ministry of Education decide how much funding the school receives. The higher the number, the more support that school may need.

• It’s based on real-life data, not just census snapshots. That includes things like how stable a child’s housing situation is, whether their caregivers have experienced long-term unemployment, and other indicators of disadvantage. The goal is to understand the whole picture.

• It’s updated regularly, so the data stays relevant. Unlike the old decile ratings, which were updated about once every 10 years, the Equity Index moves with the times and reflects what’s really going on in communities.

• Schools aren’t publicly labelled with their EQI number. That’s a big win, especially for tackling stigma. It means schools can focus on their strengths without being unfairly judged, and parents can choose schools based on fit and feel—not just a number.

It’s a smarter, more sensitive way to make sure kids who need extra support get it—without putting labels on schools or communities

What This Means for Parents

So now that the Equity Index is fully in place, you might be wondering—what does this actually mean for me and my child?

First off, it means we can all breathe a little easier when it comes to school labels. You’re no longer going to see schools stamped with a “decile rating” that people misinterpret as a scorecard. That’s a big shift, and honestly, a positive one.

If you’re looking at schools now, you’ll want to focus less on funding labels and more on things like:

• How the school aligns with your family’s values
• How happy and engaged the kids seem
• What the teachers and leadership team are like
• How well the school communicates with whānau

These are the things that actually matter in your child’s day-to-day experience.

It also means the government is (finally!) doing a better job of recognising that not all school communities are the same—and that some children need a bit of extra support to thrive. The Equity Index is helping get those resources where they’re needed, quietly and without judgement.

So if you’re choosing a school now, don’t stress about the lack of a “decile rating.” Instead, trust your instincts, ask questions, visit the schools if you can, and chat to other parents in the area. You’ll get a far better feel for a school’s culture and strengths that way than any number ever could

How to Learn About Your Child’s School

Without the old decile ratings floating about, you might be wondering how to get a feel for a school’s environment and how well it supports its students. The good news? There are still plenty of ways to find out whether a school is the right fit for your child.

Here are a few places to start:

• Visit the school in person – Honestly, nothing beats a walk through the grounds, popping into a classroom, and having a chat with the staff. You’ll pick up on the energy and culture straight away.

• Check out the ERO reports – The Education Review Office regularly reviews and reports on schools across Aotearoa. These reports give a great snapshot of how a school is doing, what it’s doing well, and where it’s focusing its efforts. You can find them at ero.govt.nz.

• Explore Education Counts – This website (educationcounts.govt.nz) includes school profiles, roll sizes, and more useful info for parents doing their homework.

• Talk to other parents – If you know local families with children at the school, ask them what they love about it (and what they’d change). Honest, on-the-ground insights are worth their weight in gold.

Choosing a school is a big decision, but don’t feel like you have to base it on stats alone. Trust what you see, what you feel, and what your gut tells you. At the end of the day, you know your child best

Related Links and Final Thoughts

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure or just want to dive a little deeper, here are some helpful resources to explore:

• Education Review Office (ERO) – Independent reports on schools across New Zealand.
• Education Counts – Stats, profiles and background info on all registered schools.
• Kiwi Families School Enrolment & Zoning Guide – A handy read if you’re figuring out where your child is eligible to attend.
• Choosing a School in NZ – Another great article if you’re weighing up your options

Related posts:

School Enrolment and School Zones Education glossary School transport Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour