Best Schools in Penacook, New Hampshire
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Penacook?
Use this page to compare every school in Penacook 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.
Csi Charter School
High · Csi Charter School. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Merrimack Valley High School
High · Merrimack Valley School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Merrimack Valley Middle School
Middle · Merrimack Valley 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 Penacook for 2026 are Csi Charter School (5.4/10), Merrimack Valley High School (5.3/10), and Merrimack Valley Middle School (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$274,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$274,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Penacook
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Csi Charter School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Merrimack Valley High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Merrimack Valley Middle School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Penacook Elementary School | 3.7 / 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
- 4.9/10
- Median household income
- $79,688
- Median home value
- $274,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Penacook compares
New Hampshire rank
#64 of 74
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.3
below New Hampshire avg (6.2)
Median household income
$80k
82% of New Hampshire median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Penacook, New Hampshire
Penacook, New Hampshire is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.9 out of 10, schools in Penacook 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 Penacook is Csi Charter School with a composite score of 5.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Penacook is served by 2 school districts: CSI Charter School, Merrimack Valley School District. These districts collectively serve 2,282 students.
Penacook's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,688. The poverty rate in the area is 9.2%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 479 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 756 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Schools in Penacook
Penacook, New Hampshire · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,688
Median Home Value
$274,100
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
Population
16,368
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Community Profile
Penacook has a median household income of $79,688. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,100, with a median rent of $1,363/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Hampshire
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
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 Penacook, New Hampshire
How many schools are in Penacook, New Hampshire?
Penacook has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Penacook, New Hampshire?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Penacook is 4.9 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 Penacook, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked school in Penacook on MySchoolScout is Csi Charter School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Penacook, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked elementary school in Penacook on MySchoolScout is Penacook Elementary School with a composite score of 3.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Penacook, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked middle school in Penacook on MySchoolScout is Merrimack Valley Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best high school in Penacook, New Hampshire?
The top-ranked high school in Penacook on MySchoolScout is Csi Charter School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Penacook, New Hampshire?
Penacook is served by 2 school districts: Csi Charter School, Merrimack Valley School District.
What is the education level in Penacook, New Hampshire?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Penacook have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Penacook, New Hampshire?
The median household income in Penacook is approximately $79,688 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Penacook, New Hampshire?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Penacook is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Penacook, 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.