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Below Average

#379 of 480 schools in NH

Dover Middle School

Middle School · Dover School District

16 Daley Dr., Dover, NH 03820

Enrollment

972

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

4.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dover

#6 of 6

public schools

New Hampshire middle schools

#73 of 96

In district

#5 of 5

Dover School District

About Dover Middle School

Dover Middle School serves 972 students in grades 5 through 8 in Dover, New Hampshire, making it a substantial middle school with a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio and 68 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently ranks 341st out of 483 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 30th percentile, with room for academic growth as it works to better serve its large student population. Academic performance shows 49% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 33% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These results indicate the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen educational outcomes across all grade levels. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $90,868 and home values average $368,200. With 51% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of just 7.6%, the surrounding area reflects a educated, middle-class population that values educational achievement.

Dover Middle School operates in Dover's small suburban setting on Daley Drive, serving families throughout this historic Strafford County community that balances residential neighborhoods with easy access to both rural New Hampshire landscapes and the greater Seacoast region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,599

Dover Middle School — Students at Dover Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
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
42%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
33%
ELA
49%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Dover Middle School Compares

See how Dover Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in NH
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

16 Daley Dr., Dover, NH 03820

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dover Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oyster River Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Durham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Somersworth Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Somersworth), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Dover Senior High School Dover 0.1 mi 5.4
Woodman Park School Dover 0.7 mi 5.4
MY SCHOOL Dover 1.0 mi
ST MARY ACADEMY Dover 1.1 mi 6.1
Garrison School Dover 1.2 mi 7.9
PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dover 1.6 mi 6.4
Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street Dover 2.3 mi 6.7
Oyster River High School Durham 3.0 mi 6.6
Oyster River Preschool Education Program Durham 3.0 mi
ST THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL Dover 2.8 mi 5.5
Seacoast Charter School Dover 3.2 mi 5.9
Oyster River Middle School Durham 3.4 mi 7.5
Moharimet School Madbury 3.1 mi 8.2
Idlehurst Elementary School Somersworth 4.3 mi 5.2
CHILDREN IN MOTION Dover 4.0 mi
Maple Wood Elementary School Somersworth 5.2 mi 4.6
Somersworth Middle School Somersworth 5.4 mi 5.2
Somersworth High School Somersworth 5.4 mi 5.3
Rollinsford Grade School Rollinsford 4.8 mi 7.2
TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Somersworth 5.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 03820 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,793

Median Home Value

$397,900

Median Rent

$1,540/mo

Population

33,150

College Educated

49.2%

Homeownership

51.4%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dover Middle School 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Southside Middle School Manchester, NH 4.8
Amherst Middle School Amherst, NH 5.0
Hillside Middle School Manchester, NH 4.6
Elm Street Middle School Nashua, NH 5.1
Timberlane Regional Middle School Plaistow, NH 5.2
Rundlett Middle School Concord, NH 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dover Middle School

What grades does Dover Middle School serve?

Dover Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Dover Middle School?

Dover Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 972 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dover Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dover Middle School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dover Middle School rank in NH?

Dover Middle School is ranked #379 out of 480 schools in NH.

What is Dover Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dover Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Dover Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dover Middle School has 35.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dover Middle School a charter school?

No, Dover Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dover Middle School a Title I school?

No, Dover Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dover Middle School?

25.2% of students at Dover Middle School 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

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (834/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
972
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Strafford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dover School District
District Enrollment
3,644
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,297
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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