Excellent
#6 of 480 schools in NH
Top 1% in state
Holderness Central School
Elementary School · Holderness School District
19 School Rd., Holderness, NH 03245
Enrollment
150
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
150
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New Hampshire elementary schools
#6 of 280
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Holderness Central School
Holderness Central School is a public elementary school in Holderness, New Hampshire, serving 150 students in kindergarten through grade 8. Its student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1 means students get consistent, close attention from their teachers — a meaningful advantage at any grade level. The school earns a composite score of 9.5 out of 10, rated Exceptional on MySchoolScout's scale.
Academic performance scores 9.3 and growth scores an even stronger 9.6, meaning students here aren't just achieving at high levels — they're advancing faster than nearly all peers statewide. Holderness Central outperforms 99% of public schools in New Hampshire and ranks 6th out of 480 statewide, placing it among the very top tier of schools in the state. For families focused on elementary education specifically, the numbers are equally strong.
The school ranks 6th out of 280 elementary schools in New Hampshire — a result that holds up whether you compare it to all public schools or only its direct peers. Holderness Central is a small school delivering measurably outsized academic results, making it a standout option for families in the Lakes Region looking for a high-performing public education from the earliest grades through middle school.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 150 students, Holderness Central School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Holderness Central School 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.
Located in a rural area, Holderness Central School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Holderness Central School — Students at Holderness Central School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NH state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.6/10.
How Holderness Central School Compares
See how Holderness Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
19 School Rd., Holderness, NH 03245
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holderness Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plymouth Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Plymouth), with a comparable rating. Another option is Campton Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Campton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bristol Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Bristol), a more accessible option. For more schools in Holderness, see our Holderness schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WHITE MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Holderness | 2.4 mi | — |
| Ashland Elementary School Ashland | 3.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Plymouth Regional High School Plymouth | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Plymouth Elementary School Plymouth | 4.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Campton Elementary School Campton | 7.3 mi | 8.2 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Plymouth | 6.6 mi | — |
| New Hampton Community School New Hampton | 9.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Inter-Lakes Elementary School Meredith | 8.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Mountain Village Charter School Plymouth | 7.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Inter-Lakes High School Meredith | 8.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Inter-Lakes Middle School Meredith | 8.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Newfound Regional High School Bristol | 10.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Bridgewater-Hebron Village School Bridgewater | 9.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Thornton Central School Thornton | 10.6 mi | 7.9 |
| LACONIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Laconia | 11.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Sandwich Central School Ctr. Sandwich | 9.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Bristol Elementary School Bristol | 12.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Newfound Memorial Middle School Bristol | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Russell Elementary School Rumney | 10.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Moultonborough Central School Moultonborough | 10.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 03245 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,958
Median Home Value
$327,400
Median Rent
$1,746/mo
Population
1,927
College Educated
50.8%
Homeownership
79.3%
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holderness Central School has a median household income of $83,958. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $327,400, with a median rent of $1,746/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lin-Wood Public School (Elem) Lincoln, NH | 9.4 |
| Milan Village Elementary School Milan, NH | 9.6 |
| Rye Elementary School Rye, NH | 9.4 |
| Virtual Learning Academy (E) Exeter, NH | 9.4 |
| Lafayette Regional School Franconia, NH | 9.7 |
| Mason Elementary School Mason, NH | 9.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holderness Central School
What grades does Holderness Central School serve?
Holderness Central School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Holderness Central School?
Holderness Central School has an enrollment of approximately 150 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holderness Central School?
The student-teacher ratio at Holderness Central School is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holderness Central School rank in NH?
Holderness Central School is ranked #6 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Holderness Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holderness Central School has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Holderness Central School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holderness Central School has 55.3% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Holderness Central School a charter school?
No, Holderness Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holderness Central School a Title I school?
No, Holderness Central School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holderness Central School?
18.0% of students at Holderness Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 150
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Grafton County
- Phone
- (603) 536-2538
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Holderness School District- District Enrollment
- 150
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $32,053
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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