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Very Good

#83 of 480 schools in NH

Top 17% in state

Garrison School

Elementary School · Dover School District

50 Garrison Rd., Dover, NH 03820

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dover

#1 of 6

public schools

New Hampshire elementary schools

#61 of 280

In district

#1 of 5

Dover School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Garrison School

Garrison School serves 364 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Dover, New Hampshire, maintaining a favorable 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. This elementary school ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide, placing 83rd out of 483 New Hampshire schools with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. Academically, Garrison School demonstrates strong performance with 57% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 52% achieve proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to building foundational skills during these crucial early learning years. The school draws families from a well-established community where 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $90,868. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.6% and median home values of $368,200 indicate a stable, education-focused environment that supports student learning.

Dover's small suburban setting in Strafford County provides Garrison School students with the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to resources and opportunities. The school's combination of strong academic performance, manageable class sizes, and supportive community demographics creates an environment where young learners can develop both academically and socially during their foundational elementary years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,599

Garrison School — Students at Garrison School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Garrison School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in NH
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

50 Garrison Rd., Dover, NH 03820

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garrison School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newington Public School (rated 9.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Newington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moharimet School (rated 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Madbury), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rollinsford Grade School (rated 7.2/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Rollinsford), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dover 0.4 mi 6.4
Dover Middle School Dover 1.2 mi 4.8
Dover Senior High School Dover 1.2 mi 5.4
MY SCHOOL Dover 1.8 mi
ST MARY ACADEMY Dover 1.9 mi 6.1
Woodman Park School Dover 1.8 mi 5.4
ST THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL Dover 1.7 mi 5.5
Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street Dover 3.2 mi 6.7
Oyster River High School Durham 2.9 mi 6.6
Oyster River Preschool Education Program Durham 2.9 mi
Oyster River Middle School Durham 3.3 mi 7.5
Newington Public School Newington 4.5 mi 9.5
Marshwood Middle School Eliot 3.7 mi 5.2
Seacoast Charter School Dover 4.4 mi 5.9
Moharimet School Madbury 3.8 mi 8.2
Idlehurst Elementary School Somersworth 5.2 mi 5.2
Marshwood High School South Berwick 4.3 mi 5.0
Rollinsford Grade School Rollinsford 5.2 mi 7.2
SEACOAST WALDORF SCHOOL Eliot 4.4 mi 5.7
Maple Wood Elementary School Somersworth 6.1 mi 4.6

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 Garrison 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
Epsom Central School Epsom, NH 7.9
Peter Woodbury School Bedford, NH 7.9
Strong Foundations Charter School Pembroke, NH 7.9
Deerfield Community School Deerfield, NH 8.0
Kearsarge Reg. Elem. School at New London New London, NH 8.0
Newmarket Elementary School Newmarket, NH 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garrison School

What grades does Garrison School serve?

Garrison School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Garrison School?

Garrison School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garrison School?

The student-teacher ratio at Garrison School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garrison School rank in NH?

Garrison School is ranked #83 out of 480 schools in NH.

What is Garrison School's MySchoolScout rating?

Garrison School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Garrison School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garrison School has 52.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garrison School a charter school?

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

Is Garrison School a Title I school?

No, Garrison School is not currently a Title I school.

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

15.4% of students at Garrison 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 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
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.4%
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
#1 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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