Average
#329 of 480 schools in NH
Merrimack Valley High School
High School · Merrimack Valley School District · Penacook, NH
A high school in Penacook, NH where students score 12 points below what's typical for similar communities.
106 Village St., Penacook, NH 03303
- Math 22% proficient (2022)
- Reading 52% proficient (2022)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Merrimack Valley High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NH average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 13 points since 2019, to 37% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 31% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 64% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from NH state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
22.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Merrimack Valley High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 38Car-Dependent
- Bike 39Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Low2/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$79,688
Median home value
$274,100
Median rent
$1,363/mo
College educated
31.3%
Homeownership
68.4%
Poverty rate
9.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 03303; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
1 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Csi Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 5.4 | 9–12 | 0.6 mi | 47 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Merrimack Valley School District
- Schools in district
- 7
- Rank in district
- #4 of 7
- District spending per student
- $19,412NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 6.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
Merrimack Valley High School is listed in Merrimack Valley School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Merrimack Valley High School
Merrimack Valley High School is a public high school in Penacook, NH, part of Merrimack Valley School District, serving approximately 756 students in grades 9th-12th with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #329 of 480 schools in NH. State assessment records 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)
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 756
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Merrimack County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.5%
- Phone
- (603) 753-4311
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 03303)
- 16,368
- Area average commute
- 27.9 min
- Area median age
- 42.1
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 03303; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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