Needs Improvement
#462 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
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Penacook
#4 of 4
public schools
New Hampshire high schools
#92 of 95
In district
#7 of 7
Merrimack Valley School District
About Merrimack Valley High School
Merrimack Valley High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Penacook, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Merrimack County. The school enrolls 756 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, with 54 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Merrimack Valley faces significant challenges.
The school ranks 420th out of 483 New Hampshire high schools and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. In standardized testing, 52 percent of students score proficient or above in ELA/reading, while mathematics proficiency sits at 27 percent across grades. These results indicate the school has considerable room for academic improvement and is working to strengthen student achievement in core subjects, particularly in mathematics.
As a regular public school, Merrimack Valley serves its community on Village Street and provides a traditional high school experience for local families seeking secondary education options in the Penacook area.
What's said publicly about Merrimack Valley High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (2)
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 6 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: 3.7/10.
How Merrimack Valley High School Compares
See how Merrimack Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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 5.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Concord), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CSI Charter School (rated 5.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.5 |
| Penacook Elementary School Penacook | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| CSI Charter School Penacook | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Beaver Meadow School Concord | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Boscawen Elementary School Boscawen | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| SECOND START Concord | 2.5 mi | — |
| SHAKER ROAD SCHOOL Concord | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Canterbury Elementary School Canterbury | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| Christa McAuliffe School Concord | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Mill Brook School Concord | 4.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Broken Ground School Concord | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ST JOHN REGIONAL SCHOOL Concord | 6.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Rundlett Middle School Concord | 6.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Abbot-Downing School Concord | 6.5 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 4.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merrimack Valley High School has a median household income of $79,688. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,100, with a median rent of $1,363/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Pembroke Academy Pembroke, NH | 4.1 |
| Manchester West High School Manchester, NH | 4.5 |
| Alvirne High School Hudson, NH | 4.6 |
| Pelham High School Pelham, NH | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #462 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Merrimack Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merrimack Valley High School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Merrimack Valley High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merrimack Valley High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Low (2/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (603) 753-4311
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merrimack Valley School District- District Enrollment
- 2,235
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,412
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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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