Best Schools in Dover, New Hampshire
11 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dover?
Use this page to compare every school in Dover by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Garrison School
Elementary · Dover School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Portsmouth Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dover Senior High School
High · Dover School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dover for 2026 are Garrison School (6.8/10), Portsmouth Christian Academy (6.4/10), and Dover Senior High School (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$397,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$397,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dover
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrison School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Portsmouth Christian Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Dover Senior High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | St Mary Academy | 6.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Woodman Park School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | St Thomas Aquinas High School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street | 5.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Seacoast Charter School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Dover Middle School | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $92,793
- Median home value
- $397,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dover compares
New Hampshire rank
#48 of 74
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below New Hampshire avg (6.2)
Median household income
$93k
96% of New Hampshire median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Dover, New Hampshire
Dover, New Hampshire is home to 11 schools, including 6 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Dover show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Dover is Garrison School with a composite score of 6.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dover is served by 2 school districts: Seacoast Charter School, Dover School District. These districts collectively serve 3,932 students.
Dover's community shows 49% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $92,793. The poverty rate in the area is 8.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 364 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 444 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.5 | ||
| 3 | 413 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 288 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Mary Academy
Private
189 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.1 | ||
| 2 | My School
Private
14 students · Pre-K–2nd | — | ||
| 3 | Children in Motion
Private
4 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 972 students · 5th–8th | 4.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,418 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Thomas Aquinas High School
Private
414 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portsmouth Christian Academy
Private
502 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.4 |
Schools in Dover
Dover, New Hampshire · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$92,793
Median Home Value
$397,900
Median Rent
$1,540/mo
Population
33,150
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Community Profile
Dover has a median household income of $92,793. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $397,900, with a median rent of $1,540/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Hampshire
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Hampshire
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Dover, New Hampshire
How many schools are in Dover, New Hampshire?
Dover has 11 schools, including 6 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dover, New Hampshire?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dover is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Dover, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked school in Dover on MySchoolScout is Garrison School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dover, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dover on MySchoolScout is Garrison School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Dover, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked middle school in Dover on MySchoolScout is Dover Middle School with a composite score of 4.3/10.
What is the best high school in Dover, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked high school in Dover on MySchoolScout is Dover Senior High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Dover, New Hampshire?
Dover is served by 2 school districts: Seacoast Charter School, Dover School District.
What is the education level in Dover, New Hampshire?
According to Census data, 49% of adults in Dover have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dover, New Hampshire?
The median household income in Dover is approximately $92,793 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dover, New Hampshire?
Yes, Dover has 5 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Portsmouth Christian Academy with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dover, New Hampshire?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dover is 12.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dover, New Hampshire?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Hampshire Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.