New Hampshire is the #45 largest school system in the United States, serving 163,071 students across the 506 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 290 private schools, serving 31,847 students). 84% of all K-12 students in New Hampshire attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in New Hampshire is 42%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.
The top-ranked public schools in New Hampshire are Academy For Science And Design Charter (H), Hanover High School, and Rye Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 18%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 11:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in New Hampshire (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Academy For Science And Design Charter (H)
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
9 Townsend West
Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 595-4705
Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 595-4705
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Hanover High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
41 Lebanon St. Suite 1
Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-3431
Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-3431
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Rye Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-4
461 Sagamore Rd.
Rye, NH 03870
(603) 436-4731
Rye, NH 03870
(603) 436-4731
Rank: #44.
Riddle Brook School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
230 New Boston Rd.
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 471-1082
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 471-1082
Rank: #55.
Lafayette Regional School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-6
149 Main St.
Franconia, NH 03580
(603) 823-7741
Franconia, NH 03580
(603) 823-7741
Rank: #66.
Mason Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
13 Darling Hill Rd.
Greenville, NH 03048
(603) 878-2962
Greenville, NH 03048
(603) 878-2962
Rank: #77.
Bernice A. Ray School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 81% (Top 5%)
Reading: 84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
26 Reservoir Rd.
Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-6655
Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 643-6655
Rank: #88.
New Franklin School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
1 Franklin Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-0910
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-0910
Rank: #99.
Peter Woodbury School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 78% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
180 County Rd.
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 622-0431
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 622-0431
Rank: #1010.
Academy For Science And Design Charter (M)
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 77% (Top 5%)
Reading: 81% (Top 5%)
Grades: 5-8
9 Townsend West
Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 595-4705
Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 595-4705
Overview
This State (NH)
US
# Schools
506 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
163,071 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
14,484 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NH)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
43%
Graduation Rate
88.1%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
20%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.33
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
289 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
4,972 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
12,559 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
3,462 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
2%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
133,216 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
82%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
126 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
8,530 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NH)
Statewide Total Revenue
$3,945 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$3,959 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$24,192
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$24,280
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best New Hampshire Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: Tilton Northfield (3 schools), Downtown (2 schools), Rimmon Heights (2 schools), West Side (2 schools), Glen (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in New Hampshire?
The top-ranked public schools in New Hampshire include Academy For Science And Design Charter (H), Hanover High School, and Rye Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in New Hampshire?
506 public schools are located in New Hampshire.
What percentage of students in New Hampshire go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in New Hampshire attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Hampshire?
Minority enrollment in New Hampshire is 18%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in New Hampshire are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in New Hampshire include: Nashua High School North vs. Nashua High School South, William E. Lancaster School vs. Mary A. Fisk Elementary School, Simonds Elementary School vs. Kearsarge Reg. Elementary School - Bradford
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