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Average

#231 of 480 schools in NH

Top 48% in state

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)

Middle School · Academy for Science and Design Charter School

9 Townsend West, Nashua, NH 03063

Charter

Enrollment

404

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nashua

#7 of 22

public schools

New Hampshire middle schools

#41 of 96

In district

#2 of 2

Academy for Science and Design Charter School

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)

Academy for Science and Design Charter serves 404 middle school students in grades 5-8 in Nashua, New Hampshire. This charter school has earned recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools, ranking 60th out of 483 New Hampshire schools and placing in the 88th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, with 81% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 79% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

With 20 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, the school maintains a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio. As a charter school focused on science and design, the Academy provides specialized educational opportunities within the public school framework. The school's academic performance reflects its commitment to rigorous instruction, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 with an impressive academic score of 9.9 out of 10.

Students come from families in an educated community where 47% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $103,466. The low poverty rate of 3.4% in the surrounding area reflects the economic stability of the neighborhood. The Academy for Science and Design Charter is situated in Nashua, a small city environment that provides students with both educational resources and community connections in southern New Hampshire.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) — Students at Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

1.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 82.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
86%
ELA
88%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
79%
ELA
81%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.

How Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) Compares

See how Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
52th percentile in NH
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

9 Townsend West, Nashua, NH 03063

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SOUTH MERRIMACK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Merrimack), which scores notably higher. Another option is Academy for Science and Design Charter (H) (rated 7.4/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nashua High School South (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nashua, see our Nashua schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy for Science and Design Charter (H) Nashua 0.0 mi 7.4
Birch Hill Elementary School Nashua 1.6 mi 6.6
Thorntons Ferry School Merrimack 1.9 mi 3.8
CHAPEL SCHOOL Nashua 2.0 mi
Broad Street Elementary School Nashua 2.1 mi 5.9
Nashua High School North Nashua 2.6 mi 6.3
Gate City Charter School for the Arts Merrimack 2.2 mi 4.2
SOUTH MERRIMACK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Merrimack 2.2 mi 7.5
CREATIVE YEARS CHILD DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING CTR Nashua 2.2 mi
Charlotte Ave Elementary School Nashua 2.2 mi 6.6
NASHUA CHILDRENS HOME Nashua 2.2 mi
Nashua High School South Nashua 2.7 mi 6.8
Purple Panthers Preschool Nashua 2.7 mi 5.7
Pennichuck Middle School Nashua 2.2 mi 6.8
MicroSociety Academy Charter School Foundation Nashua 3.1 mi 4.8
Amherst Street School Nashua 2.7 mi 3.2
Ledge Street School Nashua 2.9 mi 4.4
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Merrimack 3.7 mi
Franklin Street School Nashua 3.1 mi
Mt. Pleasant School Nashua 3.0 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 03063 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,924

Median Home Value

$371,700

Median Rent

$1,820/mo

Population

15,630

College Educated

45.1%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) has a median household income of $106,924. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $371,700, with a median rent of $1,820/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Laconia Middle School Laconia, NH 6.3
Windham Middle School Windham, NH 6.4
Claremont Middle School Claremont, NH 6.1
Merrimack Valley Middle School Penacook, NH 6.5
Barrington Middle School Barrington, NH 6.6
Captain Samuel Douglass Academy Brookline, NH 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)

What grades does Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) serve?

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)?

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) has an enrollment of approximately 404 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)?

The student-teacher ratio at Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) rank in NH?

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) is ranked #231 out of 480 schools in NH.

What is Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) has 82.3% math proficiency and 83.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) a charter school?

Yes, Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) a Title I school?

No, Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Academy for Science and Design Charter (m)?

1.5% of students at Academy for Science and Design Charter (m) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,428/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nashua). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
404
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
1.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Hillsborough County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Academy for Science and Design Charter School
District Enrollment
640
Schools in District
2
District Rank
#2 of 2

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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