New Hampshire is the #45 largest school system in the United States, serving 164,943 students across the 505 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 291 private schools, serving 31,853 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)
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)
# Schools
505 Schools
# Students
164,943 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
14,392 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NH)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
Graduation Rate
88%
Eligible for Free Lunch
20%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.32
# American Indian Students
308 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
4,993 Students
% Asian Students
3%
# Hispanic Students
12,200 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
# Black Students
3,432 Students
% Black Students
2%
# White Students
135,764 Students
% White Students
82%
# Hawaiian Students
133 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
8,183 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NH)
Total Revenue
$3,646 MM
Spending
$3,517 MM
Revenue / Student
$22,103
Spending / Student
$21,321
Best New Hampshire Public Schools by County (2026)
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?
505 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, Simonds Elementary School vs. Kearsarge Reg. Elementary School - Bradford, William E. Lancaster School vs. Mary A. Fisk Elementary School
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