Stephen Bovaird, principal of Lynfield College, said his school would change from decile 7 to decile 6. This would mean the school would receive about $45,000 more each year, which Mr Bovaird said was not a huge amount given its roll of almost 2000.
The ministry had told him about 46 per cent of Auckland schools had seen their decile go down.
About one-third of schools nationally will have a drop in decile, one-third will stay the same and one-third will increase.
"I was surprised, because in part of our zone the house prices have increased the third-highest of any area in Auckland ... there is something interesting going on."
Principals' Federation president Phil Harding said it was too early to talk about patterns before the ministry released the full list, expected sometime next week.
He had spoken to one South Island school that had gone from decile 3 to 8 - a move that would have a huge funding impact. The school did not want to speak to media.
"Does this really reflect a change in the economic status of people in these various places and the need, or does it mean the money is being shifted around to the areas of greatest need?" Mr Harding said.
Decile ratings were introduced in 1995 to promote equality, with low-decile schools receiving more funding (decile ratings account for about 12 per cent of all operational funding).
Decile 1 schools are the 10 per cent of schools with the highest proportion of students from low socio-economic communities. Decile 10 schools are the 10 per cent with the lowest proportion of such students.
Recalculation sees students' address information combined with Census data for small geographical areas to examine factors including household income and crowding, and parents' occupations, qualifications, and benefit support.
Secondary Principals' Association president Tom Parsons said his own school, Picton's Queen Charlotte College, had gone up from decile 4 to 6.
That would make budgeting "damn hard", but like other affected schools the ministry had staggered any reduction, which was helpful.
Mr Parsons said he did not begrudge those schools that would get more money.
Pakuranga's Edgewater College will change from decile 4 to 2 - about $200,000 more a year.
Other schools spoken to by the Weekend Herald include Epsom Girls Grammar (stays at decile 9), Avondale College (stays at decile 4), Rangitoto College (stays at decile 10), Kelston Boys High School (down decile 4 to 3) and Western Springs College (stays at decile 8).
