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Excellent

#62 of 480 schools in NH

Top 13% in state

Nelson Elementary School

Elementary School · Nelson School District

441 Granite Lake Rd., Nelson, NH 03457

Enrollment

63

Student-Teacher

9:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

New Hampshire elementary schools

#45 of 280

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Nelson Elementary School

Nelson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Nelson, NH, part of the Nelson School District. The school serves approximately 63 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 87.3th percentile among NH schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 71% proficiency in math and 65% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $90,417, where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 63 students, Nelson Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Nelson Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Nelson Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,803

Nelson Elementary School — Students at Nelson Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Nelson Elementary School Compares

See how Nelson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
87th percentile in NH
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

441 Granite Lake Rd., Nelson, NH 03457

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nelson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wells Memorial School (rated 8.5/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Harrisville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Symonds Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Keene), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John D. Perkins Academy (rated 8.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Marlow), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Nelson, see our Nelson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
James Faulkner Elementary School Stoddard 4.9 mi 7.2
Wells Memorial School Harrisville 5.7 mi 8.5
Gilsum STEAM Academy Gilsum 5.8 mi 6.8
Marlborough Elementary School Marlborough 7.7 mi 7.0
John D. Perkins Academy Marlow 8.4 mi 8.0
LEAF Charter School Alstead 7.2 mi 8.4
Gathering Waters Charter School (E) Keene 7.8 mi 4.5
DUBLIN SCHOOL Dublin 8.6 mi 9.0
Franklin Elementary School Keene 7.9 mi 7.4
Making Community Connections Charter School - Monadnock Keene 8.3 mi 6.4
Fuller Elementary School Keene 7.8 mi 6.2
Gathering Waters Charter School (H) Keene 8.2 mi
ASHUELOT VALLEY ACADEMY Keene 8.2 mi 6.5
KROKA EXPEDITIONS Marlow 9.0 mi
Dublin Consolidated School Dublin 8.9 mi 7.8
Wheelock Elementary School Keene 8.5 mi 3.8
ST JOSEPH REGIONAL SCHOOL Keene 8.5 mi 6.6
Symonds Elementary School Keene 9.1 mi 8.5
Jonathan Daniels School Keene 8.8 mi 5.5
Surry Village Charter School Surry 8.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 03457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,417

Median Home Value

$350,800

Median Rent

$1,375/mo

Population

720

College Educated

61.9%

Homeownership

87.1%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.2%

Median Age

46.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nelson Elementary School has a median household income of $90,417. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,800, with a median rent of $1,375/month. The local poverty rate of 3.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Washington Elementary School Washington, NH 8.3
Jackson Grammar School Jackson, NH 8.4
Wells Memorial School Harrisville, NH 8.5
North Walpole School North Walpole, NH 8.6
Sutton Central Elementary School Sutton Mills, NH 8.6
John D. Perkins Academy Marlow, NH 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nelson Elementary School

What grades does Nelson Elementary School serve?

Nelson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Nelson Elementary School?

Nelson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Elementary School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nelson Elementary School rank in NH?

Nelson Elementary School is ranked #62 out of 480 schools in NH.

What is Nelson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Nelson Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson Elementary School has 71.2% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nelson Elementary School a charter school?

No, Nelson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nelson Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Nelson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nelson Elementary School?

23.8% of students at Nelson Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (9/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cheshire County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nelson School District
District Enrollment
63
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,068
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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