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Average

#176 of 480 schools in NH

Top 37% in state

Alton Central School (elem)

Elementary School · Alton School District

41 School St., Alton, NH 03809

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Alton

#1 of 2

public schools

New Hampshire elementary schools

#116 of 280

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Alton Central School (elem)

Alton Central School (Elem) is a regular public elementary school nestled in the charming town of Alton, New Hampshire. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, this community-focused institution has an enrollment of 418 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, ensuring individual attention for each child. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school prioritizes a nurturing environment that supports diverse learning needs.

Alton Central School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.7 out of 10 and its academic score is 3.1 out of 10, placing it at the 37th percentile among New Hampshire schools. While test scores in ELA/Reading stand at 42% proficiency or above and math scores are at 31%, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. Located in a picturesque town setting, Alton Central School is part of the welcoming neighborhood community, fostering strong ties between educators, students, and families.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Alton Central School (elem) are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Alton Central School (elem) offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$38,617

Alton Central School (elem) — Students at Alton Central School (elem) score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
34%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
42%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Alton Central School (elem) Compares

See how Alton Central School (elem) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
64th percentile in NH
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

41 School St., Alton, NH 03809

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alton Central School (elem) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. New Durham Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby New Durham), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carpenter School (rated 7.8/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Wolfeboro), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gilmanton Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Gilmanton Iw), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Alton, see our Alton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Prospect Mountain High School Alton 1.1 mi 6.3
New Durham Elementary School New Durham 3.3 mi 8.9
Barnstead Elementary School Ctr. Barnstead 7.5 mi 3.9
Gilmanton Elementary School Gilmanton Iw 5.9 mi 6.7
Kingswood Regional High School Wolfeboro 8.6 mi 7.0
Kingswood Regional Middle School Wolfeboro 8.7 mi 7.2
Crescent Lake School Wolfeboro 8.9 mi 8.7
Carpenter School Wolfeboro 9.1 mi 7.8
Valley View Community School Farmington 8.3 mi 4.3
Middleton Elementary School Middleton 8.0 mi 5.9
Farmington Senior High School Farmington 8.5 mi 3.0
Henry Wilson Memorial School Farmington 8.7 mi 6.9
SHORTRIDGE ACADEMY Milton 8.6 mi 6.4
Pittsfield Elementary School Pittsfield 11.2 mi 6.4
Pittsfield High School Pittsfield 11.3 mi 6.1
Pittsfield Middle School Pittsfield 11.3 mi 6.2
Gilford Elementary School Gilford 11.0 mi 6.7
Gilford High School Gilford 11.0 mi 6.8
Gilford Middle School Gilford 11.1 mi 5.2
Strafford School Strafford 13.5 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 03809 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,278

Median Home Value

$331,900

Median Rent

$616/mo

Population

3,684

College Educated

31.8%

Homeownership

89%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

54.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alton Central School (elem) has a median household income of $92,278. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $331,900, with a median rent of $616/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Belmont Elementary School Belmont, NH 6.8
Danville Elementary School Danville, NH 6.8
Epping Elementary School Epping, NH 6.8
Matthew Thornton Elementary School Londonderry, NH 6.8
Mill Brook School Concord, NH 6.8
Pollard Elementary School Plaistow, NH 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alton Central School (elem)

What grades does Alton Central School (elem) serve?

Alton Central School (elem) serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Alton Central School (elem)?

Alton Central School (elem) has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alton Central School (elem)?

The student-teacher ratio at Alton Central School (elem) is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alton Central School (elem) rank in NH?

Alton Central School (elem) is ranked #176 out of 480 schools in NH.

What is Alton Central School (elem)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Alton Central School (elem) has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Alton Central School (elem)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alton Central School (elem) has 31.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alton Central School (elem) a charter school?

No, Alton Central School (elem) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alton Central School (elem) a Title I school?

No, Alton Central School (elem) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alton Central School (elem)?

14.8% of students at Alton Central School (elem) 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
Average (657/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Belknap County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alton School District
District Enrollment
422
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,532
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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