City schools do well: principal

John Paul College Principal Patrick Walsh said it would have achieved 100 per cent across the board, but two students left school part way through the year. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua students are receiving "high quality" education when compared to schools of a similar make-up, according to a local principal.

The newly released 2014 NCEA results show five schools in the Rotorua district achieved results about, or above, average.

Three schools achieved below average results.

Only one school in the district outperformed the national average at all three NCEA levels.

John Paul College achieved 100 per cent in NCEA Levels 1 and 2. Level 3 results were 98 per cent, the national average was 80 per cent. The school was also above average for University Entrance.

Principal Patrick Walsh said it would have achieved 100 per cent across the board, but two students left school part way through the year.

Western Heights High School, Reporoa College and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Ruamata achieved below average results.

Rotorua Boys' High School and Rotorua Girls' High School were above average in most levels, however university entrance achievement at both schools was below average and Girls' High Year 13 students also underperformed.

Rotorua Lakes High School and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Koutu were about average.

Mr Walsh said there was no reason for parents to contemplate sending their children to other cities for schooling.

"Often the education in Rotorua is criticised as not being the same standard in Auckland or Wellington, but the message needs to get out that we can match the top schools.

"We're performing at a decile 9 or 10 level. Parents don't need to go outside Rotorua to get a high- quality education."

Rotorua Boys' High School principal Chris Grinter said when results were compared with schools like theirs they "compared well".

"We're very happy with our results," he said. "There's always room for improvement but for a school of our make up and decile, our percentage Maori, we're performing at a pretty impressive level. I compliment our boys and their teachers on these results."