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Below Average

#398 of 480 schools in NH

Paul A. Smith School

Elementary School · Franklin School District

41 Daniel Webster Dr., Franklin, NH 03235

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Franklin

#2 of 3

public schools

New Hampshire elementary schools

#229 of 280

In district

#2 of 3

Franklin School District

About Paul A. Smith School

Paul A. Smith School is an elementary school in Franklin, New Hampshire, serving students from pre-kindergarten through third grade. The school has a total enrollment of 281 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, ensuring ample individual attention for each child.

With 29 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the educational experience at Paul A. Smith School is supported by a dedicated teaching team. The school's MySchoolScout Rating stands at 3.1 out of 10, placing it in the 8th percentile among New Hampshire schools.

Academic performance metrics show that 21% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 24% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for improvement but also highlighting the school's commitment to student development. Paul A. Smith School is situated in a small town setting, fostering a close-knit community where teachers and families work together to support each child’s growth and learning journey.

The school aims to provide a nurturing environment that encourages all students to reach their full potential.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Paul A. Smith 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,774

Paul A. Smith School — Students at Paul A. Smith School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.2%
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
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
12%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Paul A. Smith School Compares

See how Paul A. Smith School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
17th percentile in NH
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

41 Daniel Webster Dr., Franklin, NH 03235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul A. Smith School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Salisbury Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jennie D. Blake School (rated 8.7/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Canterbury Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Canterbury), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Franklin, see our Franklin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Franklin High School Franklin 0.9 mi 3.4
Franklin Middle School Franklin 1.0 mi 5.0
Winnisquam Regional High School Tilton 3.0 mi 4.5
Winnisquam Early Learning Center Tilton 3.0 mi
Winnisquam Regional Middle School Tilton 3.1 mi 4.8
Southwick School Northfield 3.6 mi 6.7
Compass Classical Academy Charter School (E) Northfield 3.6 mi 4.1
Compass Classical Academy Charter School (H) Northfield 3.6 mi 7.9
SANT BANI SCHOOL Sanbornton 5.0 mi 6.0
TILTON SCHOOL Tilton 3.7 mi 6.7
Jennie D. Blake School Hill 5.2 mi 8.7
Salisbury Elementary School Salisbury 5.6 mi 8.8
Sanbornton Central School Sanbornton 5.0 mi 5.7
SPAULDING YOUTH CENTER Northfield 5.0 mi 4.7
SAPLINGS A FOREST AND NATURE PRESCHOOL Sanbornton 8.4 mi
Webster Elementary School Webster 10.0 mi 3.6
New Hampton Community School New Hampton 10.5 mi 4.5
Canterbury Elementary School Canterbury 9.5 mi 7.2
Newfound Regional High School Bristol 10.7 mi 7.8
Andover Elementary School Andover 8.0 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 03235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,921

Median Home Value

$244,800

Median Rent

$1,088/mo

Population

8,843

College Educated

19.4%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

32.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paul A. Smith School has a median household income of $69,921. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,800, with a median rent of $1,088/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Colebrook Academy and Elementary School (E) Colebrook, NH 4.6
Dunbarton Elementary School Dunbarton, NH 4.6
Maple Wood Elementary School Somersworth, NH 4.6
Mt. Pleasant School Nashua, NH 4.6
Gathering Waters Charter School (E) Keene, NH 4.5
Highland-Goffes Falls School Manchester, NH 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul A. Smith School

What grades does Paul A. Smith School serve?

Paul A. Smith School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Paul A. Smith School?

Paul A. Smith School has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul A. Smith School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul A. Smith School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul A. Smith School rank in NH?

Paul A. Smith School is ranked #398 out of 480 schools in NH.

What is Paul A. Smith School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul A. Smith School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Paul A. Smith School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul A. Smith School has 23.7% math proficiency and 21.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paul A. Smith School a charter school?

No, Paul A. Smith School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paul A. Smith School a Title I school?

No, Paul A. Smith School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul A. Smith School?

58.4% of students at Paul A. Smith 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,352/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Franklin). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Merrimack County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Franklin School District
District Enrollment
893
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,295
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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