Mary C. Dondero Elementary School

Mary C. Dondero Elementary School serves 337 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. Ranked 36th out of 483 New Hampshire schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide, Dondero demonstrates strong academic achievement with 72% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 62% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6 to 1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment that supports individualized attention and learning. This intimate learning environment contributes to the school's impressive 8.9 out of 10 academic score and overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. Dondero Elementary draws from an educated and affluent community in the 03801 zip code, where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $100,839.

The area's low poverty rate of 5.9% and median home values of $605,300 reflect a stable, family-oriented neighborhood that highly values education. Located on Van Buren Avenue, Mary C. Dondero Elementary sits in a small suburban setting that provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to the cultural and educational opportunities of the greater Portsmouth area.