Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,764

Holderness Central School — Students at Holderness Central School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
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
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
72%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.5/10
99th percentile in NH
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,031/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.