📊 Data: NCES CCD 2024–2025·🔄 Updated: May 2026·Editorial standards
🏆 Rankings · State Test Data (EDFacts 2017–18)

Best School Districts
in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has 62 rated public school districts. Rankings reflect state reading & math assessment proficiency, percentile-ranked within each state. Use the zip code search to find and compare districts near your address.

Advertisement
📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Top 25 Districts New Hampshire Sorted by rating — highest first
#DistrictCityRatingState Percentile
#1Bedford School DistrictBedford10/10  Excellent99th
#2Dresden School DistrictEtna10/10  Excellent99th
#3Oyster River Cooperative School DistrictDurham9/10  Excellent83th
#4Windham School DistrictWindham9/10  Excellent83th
#5Portsmouth School DistrictPortsmouth7/10  Good67th
#6Bow School DistrictBow5/10  Average50th
#7Concord School DistrictConcord5/10  Average50th
#8Gilford School DistrictGilford5/10  Average50th
#9Hollis-Brookline Cooperative School DistrictBrookline5/10  Average50th
#10Hopkinton School DistrictContoocook5/10  Average50th
#11Inter-Lakes School DistrictCenter Harbor5/10  Average50th
#12Kearsarge Regional School DistrictBradford5/10  Average50th
#13Litchfield School DistrictLitchfield5/10  Average50th
#14Londonderry School DistrictLondonderry5/10  Average50th
#15Mascenic Regional School DistrictNew Ipswich5/10  Average50th
#16Milford School DistrictMilford5/10  Average50th
#17Newmarket School DistrictNewmarket5/10  Average50th
#18Salem School DistrictSalem5/10  Average50th
#19Sanborn Regional School DistrictKingston5/10  Average50th
#20Souhegan Cooperative School DistrictAmherst5/10  Average50th
#21Sunapee School DistrictGeorges Mills5/10  Average50th
#22Wilton-Lyndeborough School DistrictLyndeborough5/10  Average50th
#23Winnacunnet Cooperative School DistrictHampton5/10  Average50th
#24Contoocook Valley School DistrictFrancestown4/10  Below Average33th
#25Dover School DistrictDover4/10  Below Average33th

Best School Districts in New Hampshire (2026)

This ranking covers 62 rated public school districts in New Hampshire, scored using NCES EDFacts state assessment data for the 2017–18 school year — the most recent district-level federal collection we have processed. Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.

A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers — it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →

How to Use This List

Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in New Hampshire?
Based on state reading and math assessment proficiency (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), the top-rated district is Bedford School District in Bedford, rated 10/10 (Excellent).
How are these rankings calculated?
Rankings use the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state, then converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.
Are ratings based on test scores?
Yes. Ratings are based directly on state reading and math assessment proficiency rates, not on enrollment, spending, or school count. They are a starting point for research, not a final verdict on school quality.