Average
#329 of 480 schools in NH
Merrimack Valley High School
High School · Merrimack Valley School District
106 Village St., Penacook, NH 03303
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Hampshire schools
#329 of 480
In Penacook
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#4 of 7
Merrimack Valley School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Merrimack Valley High School
High School in Penacook · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Merrimack Valley Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Penacook Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merrimack Valley High School
Merrimack Valley High School is a public high school in Penacook, NH, part of Merrimack Valley School District. Merrimack Valley High School serves approximately 756 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Merrimack Valley High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #329 of 480 schools in NH.
Structured state assessment records for Merrimack Valley High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
What's said publicly about Merrimack Valley High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (2)
- This school 5.3 · Average
- NH avg 6.7
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Merrimack Valley High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
43% of students at Merrimack Valley High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Merrimack Valley High School — Students at Merrimack Valley High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from NH state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Merrimack Valley High School Compares
See how Merrimack Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
106 Village St., Penacook, NH 03303
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merrimack Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST PAUL'S SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Concord), which scores notably higher. Another option is Concord High School (rated 6.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Concord), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CSI Charter School (rated 5.4/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Penacook, see our Penacook schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimack Valley Middle School Penacook | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Penacook Elementary School Penacook | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| CSI Charter School Penacook | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Beaver Meadow School Concord | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Boscawen Elementary School Boscawen | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| SECOND START Concord | 2.5 mi | — |
| SHAKER ROAD SCHOOL Concord | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Canterbury Elementary School Canterbury | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| ST PAUL'S SCHOOL Concord | 5.6 mi | 6.7 |
| THE BEECH HILL SCHOOL Hopkinton | 5.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Concord High School Concord | 5.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Christa McAuliffe School Concord | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Mill Brook School Concord | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Broken Ground School Concord | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| ST JOHN REGIONAL SCHOOL Concord | 6.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Rundlett Middle School Concord | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Abbot-Downing School Concord | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| CONCORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Concord | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Harold Martin School Hopkinton | 7.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Loudon Elementary School Loudon | 6.0 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 03303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,688
Median Home Value
$274,100
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
Population
16,368
College Educated
31.3%
Homeownership
68.4%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
42.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laconia High School Laconia, NH | 5.2 |
| Fall Mountain Regional High School Langdon, NH | 5.5 |
| Alvirne High School Hudson, NH | 5.6 |
| Pembroke Academy Pembroke, NH | 5.8 |
| BISHOP GUERTIN HIGH SCHOOL Nashua, NH | 6.2 |
| John Stark Regional High School Weare, NH | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merrimack Valley High School
What grades does Merrimack Valley High School serve?
Merrimack Valley High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Merrimack Valley High School?
Merrimack Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 756 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merrimack Valley High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merrimack Valley High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merrimack Valley High School rank in NH?
Merrimack Valley High School ranks #329 of 480 schools in NH.
What is Merrimack Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merrimack Valley High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Merrimack Valley High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merrimack Valley High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Merrimack Valley High School a charter school?
No, Merrimack Valley High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merrimack Valley High School a Title I school?
No, Merrimack Valley High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merrimack Valley High School?
22.8% of students at Merrimack Valley High 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 756
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Merrimack County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.5%
- Phone
- (603) 753-4311
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Merrimack Valley School District- District Enrollment
- 2,235
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,412
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
How we rate schools
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