Average
#219 of 480 schools in NH
Top 45% in state
Merrimack Valley Middle School
Middle School · Merrimack Valley School District
14 Allen St., Penacook, NH 03303
Enrollment
479
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
479
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Penacook
#1 of 4
public schools
New Hampshire middle schools
#38 of 96
In district
#3 of 7
Merrimack Valley School District
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Merrimack Valley Middle School
Merrimack Valley Middle School is a public middle school located in the town of Penacook, New Hampshire. Situated at 14 Allen Street on the outskirts of an urban area, it serves students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 479 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, Merrimack Valley Middle School provides personalized attention that helps support its young learners through their middle school years.
The school's academic performance is rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it #252 among 483 schools in New Hampshire (48th percentile). In terms of proficiency, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 33% in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is committed to fostering student development through its dedicated staff of 41 full-time equivalent teachers.
Merrimack Valley Middle School serves a community that values education and support for local youth as they navigate middle school challenges.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Merrimack Valley Middle School — Students at Merrimack Valley Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Merrimack Valley Middle School Compares
See how Merrimack Valley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
14 Allen St., Penacook, NH 03303
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merrimack Valley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE BEECH HILL SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Hopkinton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rundlett Middle School (rated 4.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Concord), a more accessible option. For more schools in Penacook, see our Penacook schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimack Valley High School Penacook | 0.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Penacook Elementary School Penacook | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| CSI Charter School Penacook | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Beaver Meadow School Concord | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Boscawen Elementary School Boscawen | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| SECOND START Concord | 2.5 mi | — |
| SHAKER ROAD SCHOOL Concord | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Canterbury Elementary School Canterbury | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ST PAUL'S SCHOOL Concord | 5.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Concord High School Concord | 5.5 mi | 5.7 |
| THE BEECH HILL SCHOOL Hopkinton | 5.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Mill Brook School Concord | 4.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Broken Ground School Concord | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Christa McAuliffe School Concord | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 6.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Loudon Elementary School Loudon | 5.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Harold Martin School Hopkinton | 7.2 mi | 8.1 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Barrington Middle School Barrington, NH | 6.6 |
| Windham Middle School Windham, NH | 6.4 |
| Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) Nashua, NH | 6.3 |
| Laconia Middle School Laconia, NH | 6.3 |
| Pennichuck Middle School Nashua, NH | 6.8 |
| Claremont Middle School Claremont, NH | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merrimack Valley Middle School
What grades does Merrimack Valley Middle School serve?
Merrimack Valley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Merrimack Valley Middle School?
Merrimack Valley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 479 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merrimack Valley Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merrimack Valley Middle School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merrimack Valley Middle School rank in NH?
Merrimack Valley Middle School is ranked #219 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Merrimack Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merrimack Valley Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Merrimack Valley Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merrimack Valley Middle School has 33.3% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merrimack Valley Middle School a charter school?
No, Merrimack Valley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merrimack Valley Middle School a Title I school?
No, Merrimack Valley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merrimack Valley Middle School?
21.7% of students at Merrimack Valley Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 479
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Merrimack County
- Phone
- (603) 753-6336
- 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
- #3 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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