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Portsmouth School District

Item: Portsmouth School District
Rating: 9
Author: Public School Review

1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402
Portsmouth, NH 03801

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Tel: (603) 431-5080

Top Rankings

Portsmouth School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Hampshire for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NH)

# Schools

6 Schools

506 Schools

# Students

2,424 Students

163,071 Students

# Teachers

240 Teachers

14,484 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

10:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
Pre-K	24	22
Kind	134	54
1	144	56
2	154	58
3	159	60
4	144	59
5	165	60
6	160	61
7	160	61
8	166	62
9	248	64
10	262	64
11	250	63
12	254	63

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District Rank

Portsmouth School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 187 school districts in New Hampshire (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 97% has increased from 95% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NH)

#21 out of 189 school districts
(Top 20%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District
2023	#21
2022	#22
2021	#25
2019	#22
2018	#31
2017	#23
2016	#28
2015	#42
2014	#52
2013	#61
2012	#69
2011	#62
2010	#101

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64%

42%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	64%	42%
2022	63%	40%
2021	60%	38%
2019	69%	48%
2018	66%	48%
2017	70%	49%
2016	66%	49%
2015	63%	46%
2014	73%	65%
2013	73%	67%
2012	70%	67%
2011	71%	66%
2010	64%	66%

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75%

51%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2022	75%	51%
2021	72%	52%
2019	75%	56%
2018	66%	58%
2017	76%	59%
2016	78%	61%
2015	68%	59%
2014	84%	77%
2013	85%	78%
2012	84%	79%
2011	82%	77%
2010	78%	77%

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46%

36%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2022	46%	36%
2021	44%	37%

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97%

88.1%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	97%	88%
2022	95%	88%
2021	96%	86%
2020	96%	87%
2019	95%	87%
2018	95%	88%
2017	97%	88%
2016	91%	87%
2015	93%	87%
2014	94%	88%
2013	96%	87%
2012	96%	86%
2011	90%	86%

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(2022-23)

23.7%

24.8%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	23.7%	24.8%
2022	25.7%	33.9%
2021	11.3%	22.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.38

0.33

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	0.37	0.31
2022	0.37	0.29
2021	0.35	0.29
2020	0.34	0.27
2019	0.34	0.27
2018	0.32	0.26
2017	0.32	0.26
2016	0.31	0.24
2015	0.30	0.24
2014	0.31	0.22
2013	0.31	0.21
2012	0.30	0.21
2011	0.28	0.19
2010	0.26	0.17
2009	0.20	0.15
2008	0.21	0.13
2007	0.21	0.13
2006	0.19	0.13
2005	0.19	0.12
2004	0.18	0.12
2003	0.18	0.10
2002	0.17	0.10
2001	0.16	0.08
2000	0.15	0.08
1999	0.13	0.08
1998	0.14	0.08
1997	0.19	0.06
1996	0.16	0.06
1995	0.16	0.06
1994	0.15	0.06
1993	0.15	0.06
1992	0.17	0.06
1991	0.19	0.06
1990	0.22	0.06

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1990-2023)
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	7%	3%
2022	6%	3%
2021	7%	3%
2020	7%	3%
2019	7%	3%
2018	6%	3%
2017	6%	3%
2016	6%	3%
2015	5%	3%
2014	5%	3%
2013	5%	3%
2012	5%	3%
2011	5%	3%
2010	4%	2%
2009	6%	3%
2008	5%	2%
2007	4%	2%
2006	5%	2%
2005	4%	2%
2004	4%	2%
2003	3%	2%
2002	3%	2%
2001	2%	1%
2000	2%	1%
1999	2%	1%
1998	2%	1%
1997	3%	1%
1996	2%	1%
1995	2%	1%
1994	2%	1%
1993	2%	1%
1992	2%	1%
1991	3%	1%
1990	3%	1%

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% Hispanic

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1990-2023)
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	6%	7%
2022	5%	7%
2021	4%	7%
2020	5%	6%
2019	5%	6%
2018	5%	6%
2017	5%	5%
2016	5%	5%
2015	5%	5%
2014	5%	5%
2013	4%	4%
2012	4%	4%
2011	4%	4%
2010	4%	4%
2009	2%	3%
2008	2%	3%
2007	3%	3%
2006	2%	3%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	2%	2%
1997	2%	1%
1996	2%	1%
1995	2%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	2%	1%

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% Black

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1990-2023)
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	1%	2%
2022	2%	2%
2021	1%	2%
2020	1%	2%
2019	1%	2%
2016	1%	2%
2015	1%	2%
2014	1%	2%
2013	2%	2%
2012	3%	2%
2011	2%	2%
2010	3%	2%
2009	3%	2%
2008	4%	2%
2007	4%	2%
2006	3%	2%
2005	4%	2%
2004	4%	2%
2003	5%	1%
2002	4%	1%
2001	5%	1%
2000	5%	1%
1999	4%	1%
1998	4%	1%
1997	5%	1%
1996	5%	1%
1995	4%	1%
1994	5%	1%
1993	5%	1%
1992	6%	1%
1991	6%	1%
1990	7%	1%

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% White

78%

82%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1990-2023)
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	78%	83%
2022	79%	84%
2021	80%	84%
2020	81%	85%
2019	81%	85%
2018	82%	86%
2017	82%	86%
2016	83%	87%
2015	84%	87%
2014	83%	88%
2013	83%	89%
2012	83%	89%
2011	85%	90%
2010	86%	91%
2009	89%	92%
2008	89%	93%
2007	89%	93%
2006	90%	93%
2005	90%	94%
2004	90%	94%
2003	90%	95%
2002	91%	95%
2001	92%	96%
2000	92%	96%
1999	93%	96%
1998	92%	96%
1997	90%	97%
1996	91%	97%
1995	91%	97%
1994	92%	97%
1993	92%	97%
1992	91%	97%
1991	90%	97%
1990	88%	97%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2010-2023)
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	8%	5%
2022	8%	4%
2021	8%	4%
2020	6%	4%
2019	6%	4%
2018	7%	3%
2017	7%	3%
2016	5%	3%
2015	5%	3%
2014	6%	2%
2013	6%	2%
2012	5%	2%
2011	4%	1%
2010	3%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $25,756 is higher than the state median of $24,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 9% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $25,950 is higher than the state median of $24,280. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NH)

Total Revenue

$62 MM

$3,945 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	$62 MM	$13 MM
2022	$58 MM	$12 MM
2021	$56 MM	$12 MM
2020	$53 MM	$12 MM
2019	$52 MM	$11 MM
2018	$52 MM	$12 MM
2017	$50 MM	$10 MM
2016	$48 MM	$10 MM
2015	$41 MM	$10 MM
2014	$44 MM	$11 MM
2012	$42 MM	$11 MM
2011	$42 MM	$11 MM
2010	$41 MM	$10 MM
2009	$40 MM	$10 MM
2008	$39 MM	$10 MM
2007	$39 MM	$10 MM
2006	$36 MM	$9 MM
2005	$37 MM	$8 MM
2004	$32 MM	$8 MM
2003	$31 MM	$7 MM
2002	$30 MM	$7 MM
2001	$27 MM	$6 MM
2000	$26 MM	$5 MM
1999	$27 MM	$5 MM
1998	$26 MM	$5 MM
1997	$25 MM	$4 MM
1996	$23 MM	$4 MM
1995	$23 MM	$4 MM
1992	$21 MM	$3 MM
1990	$23 MM	$3 MM

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Spending

$63 MM

$3,959 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	$63 MM	$12 MM
2022	$58 MM	$12 MM
2021	$56 MM	$12 MM
2020	$54 MM	$11 MM
2019	$53 MM	$11 MM
2018	$51 MM	$12 MM
2017	$49 MM	$10 MM
2016	$48 MM	$10 MM
2015	$42 MM	$10 MM
2014	$44 MM	$11 MM
2012	$42 MM	$11 MM
2011	$42 MM	$11 MM
2010	$42 MM	$10 MM
2009	$40 MM	$10 MM
2008	$39 MM	$10 MM
2007	$37 MM	$9 MM
2006	$37 MM	$9 MM
2005	$40 MM	$8 MM
2004	$34 MM	$8 MM
2003	$63 MM	$7 MM
2002	$32 MM	$6 MM
2001	$31 MM	$6 MM
2000	$28 MM	$5 MM
1999	$27 MM	$5 MM
1998	$26 MM	$5 MM
1997	$25 MM	$4 MM
1996	$23 MM	$4 MM
1995	$23 MM	$4 MM
1992	$21 MM	$3 MM
1990	$27 MM	$3 MM

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Revenue / Student

$25,756

$24,192

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	$25,154	$33,029
2022	$23,448	$32,401
2021	$22,180	$30,659
2020	$20,320	$28,548
2019	$19,546	$27,044
2018	$19,646	$29,046
2017	$19,175	$28,048
2016	$17,800	$26,415
2015	$15,515	$15,766
2014	$19,649	$17,769
2012	$18,202	$17,080
2011	$15,831	$21,368
2010	$18,680	$15,766
2009	$18,216	$15,198
2008	$14,811	$19,607
2007	$14,672	$18,216
2006	$13,826	$15,881
2005	$13,748	$14,742
2004	$11,811	$13,320
2003	$11,640	$11,980
2002	$11,072	$11,137
2001	$9,960	$9,501
2000	$9,637	$8,499
1999	$9,663	$8,529
1998	$9,297	$8,091
1997	$8,930	$7,419
1995	$8,211	$7,000
1990	$5,997	$5,494

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Spending / Student

$25,950

$24,280

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Portsmouth School District	New Hampshire
2023	$25,343	$32,839
2022	$23,437	$31,482
2021	$22,209	$30,190
2020	$20,402	$28,153
2019	$19,694	$26,724
2018	$19,274	$28,345
2017	$18,789	$27,187
2016	$17,811	$25,992
2015	$15,585	$15,833
2014	$19,653	$17,077
2012	$18,232	$16,755
2011	$15,792	$20,922
2010	$18,764	$15,833
2009	$18,425	$14,945
2008	$14,751	$18,919
2007	$14,174	$17,542
2006	$14,531	$15,972
2005	$14,897	$14,969
2004	$12,643	$12,969
2003	$23,821	$12,053
2002	$12,023	$10,694
2001	$11,499	$9,237
2000	$10,501	$8,850
1999	$9,658	$8,476
1998	$9,239	$7,842
1997	$8,928	$7,338
1995	$8,286	$7,158
1990	$6,837	$5,933

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Best Portsmouth School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

New Franklin School

(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
:

10/

Top 5%

Add to Compare

1 Franklin Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-0910

Gr: K-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #22.

Little Harbour School

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

50 Clough Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-1708

Gr: K-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%

Rank: #33.

Mary C. Dondero Elementary School

(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

32 Van Buren Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-2231

Gr: K-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Rank: #44.

Portsmouth Middle School

(Math: 61% | Reading: 74%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

155 Parrott Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-5781

Gr: 6-8 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%

Rank: #55.

Portsmouth High School

(Math: 53% | Reading: 79%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

50 Andrew Jarvis Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-7100

Gr: 9-13 | 1,014 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%

Rank: n/an/a

Peep School - Pre School Program

Add to Compare

50 Clough Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 422-8228

Gr: PK | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 25%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Portsmouth School District?

Portsmouth School District manages 6 public schools serving 2,424 students.

What is the rank of Portsmouth School District?

Portsmouth School District is ranked #20 out of 187 school districts in New Hampshire (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of New Hampshire school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth School District?

78% of Portsmouth School District students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Asian, 6% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Portsmouth School District?

Portsmouth School District has a student/teacher ratio of 10:1, which is lower than the New Hampshire state average of 11:1.

What is Portsmouth School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $25,950 is higher than the state median of $24,280. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 2,424 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Minority Enrollment: 22%
: 97% (Top 5% in NH)
: Top 20%
: 64% (Top 20%)
: 75% (Top 20%)
: 46% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NH Dept. of Education