Portsmouth School District
School District · Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Avg Rating
8.9
out of 10
Schools
6
3 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,139
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Avg Rating
8.9
out of 10
Schools
6
3 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,139
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Evaluating Portsmouth School District?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Portsmouth School District as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
New Franklin School
Portsmouth · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Mary C. Dondero Elementary School
Portsmouth · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Little Harbour School
Portsmouth · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
New Hampshire rank
#4 of 89
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+2.8
above New Hampshire avg
Per-pupil spending
$25,139
+$2,757 vs New Hampshire median
District size
2,449 students
Much larger than New Hampshire median
The short answer
Portsmouth School District ranks #4 of 89 New Hampshire districts by overall school rating. Portsmouth School District's schools with real test data average 8.9/10 across 5 schools. Its top-rated schools are New Franklin School (9.3/10), Mary C. Dondero Elementary School (9.0/10), and Little Harbour School (8.9/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Portsmouth School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Franklin School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Mary C. Dondero Elementary School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Little Harbour School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Portsmouth Middle School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Portsmouth High School | 8.7 / 10 |
See all 6 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Portsmouth School District
Portsmouth School District is a Portsmouth, New Hampshire school district serving 6 schools. The district educates 2,449 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. The district invests $25,139 per student annually.
With an average rating of 8.9/10, Portsmouth School District is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is New Franklin School, which has a composite score of 9.3/10.
In standardized testing, Portsmouth School District students show an average math proficiency of 70.2% and ELA proficiency of 78.8%.
The district includes 3 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in Portsmouth School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Portsmouth School District with test data.
Schools in Portsmouth School District
6 schools Elementary Schools 3
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 1
Other Schools 1
District Details
- State
- New Hampshire
- City
- Portsmouth
- Total Enrollment
- 2,449
- Teachers (FTE)
- 224
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Portsmouth School District?
Portsmouth School District has 6 schools in total — 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Portsmouth School District?
The average composite rating for Portsmouth School District is 8.9/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Portsmouth School District?
Portsmouth School District spends $25,139 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portsmouth School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in Portsmouth School District is 10.9:1.
What is the top-rated school in Portsmouth School District?
New Franklin School is the highest-rated school in Portsmouth School District with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What are the test scores in Portsmouth School District?
Across schools in Portsmouth School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 70.2% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 78.8%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Portsmouth School District compare to other districts in New Hampshire?
Portsmouth School District has an average school rating of 8.9/10 across 6 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in New Hampshire by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 8.9/10
- Math Proficiency
- 70.2%
- ELA Proficiency
- 78.8%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in NH
Compare Portsmouth School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Manchester School District (21)
- Nashua School District (21)
- Fall Mountain Regional School District (12)
- Contoocook Valley School District (11)
- Rochester School District (10)
- Derry Cooperative School District (8)
- Governor Wentworth Regional School District (8)
- Kearsarge Regional School District (8)
- Salem School District (8)
- Concord School District (7)
- Hudson School District (7)
- Keene School District (7)
- Merrimack Valley School District (7)
- Monadnock Regional School District (7)
- Timberlane Regional School District (7)
- Bedford School District (6)
- Claremont School District (6)
- Londonderry School District (6)
- Merrimack School District (6)
- Newfound Area School District (6)
- Conway School District (5)
- Dover School District (5)
- Goffstown School District (5)
- Laconia School District (5)
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.
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.