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Excellent

#5 of 73 private schools in NH

Top 6% of private schools

Phillips Exeter Academy

High School

20 MAIN ST, Exeter, NH 38332

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NH statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

1,064

Student-Teacher

6.5:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Exeter

#1 of 3

public schools

New Hampshire high schools

#2 of 22

About Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy is a public high school serving grades 9 through 12 in Exeter, New Hampshire, a small suburban community in Rockingham County. With an enrollment of 1,064 students and 164 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, allowing for relatively personalized attention in the classroom. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 2.5/10 reflects areas where the school is working toward improvement.

However, it's worth noting that Phillips Exeter Academy ranks #10 out of 73 high schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile of New Hampshire schools. This distinction suggests the school performs well in comparison to other schools across the state, even as it pursues ongoing academic development. As a regular public school located in a small suburban setting, Phillips Exeter Academy serves the local Exeter community and surrounding areas.

The manageable student-teacher ratio provides students with opportunities for meaningful teacher interaction and support throughout their high school experience.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Phillips Exeter Academy 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.

As a private school, Phillips Exeter Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$143,955
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$144,348
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.00x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
47%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.0B

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 1,064 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Phillips Exeter Academy compares to the 9 public schools in Exeter, NH

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
This School
vs
8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
1,064
This School
vs
326
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.0
This School
vs
7.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 42.3% vs 0%
Asian 32.9% vs 0%
Black 11.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 7.4% vs 0%
Phillips Exeter Academy Exeter Public Avg

All Schools in Exeter

School Rating
Phillips Exeter Academy (this school) 8.0
Main Street School 7.5
Lincoln Street Elementary School 6.2
Virtual Learning Academy (E) 9.4
Virtual Learning Academy (H) 7.5
Great Bay Charter School (M) 6.9
Great Bay Charter School (H) 6.0
Coastal Waters Chartered Public School (E) 7.9
Coastal Waters Chartered Public School (H)
Exeter High School 7.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NH.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,304
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 10.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 69%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 1,064
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NH

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 42.3%
Asian 32.9%
Black 11.9%
Hispanic 7.4%
Two or More 5.3%
Native American 0.1%
Pacific Islander 0.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

20 MAIN ST, Exeter, NH 38332

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Phillips Exeter Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Newmarket Jr.-Sr. High School (rated 7.7/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Newmarket), with a very similar rating. Another option is Virtual Learning Academy (H) (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Exeter High School (rated 7.2/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Exeter, see our Exeter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Main Street School Exeter 0.1 mi 7.5
Lincoln Street Elementary School Exeter 0.3 mi 6.2
Great Bay Charter School (H) Exeter 0.4 mi 6.0
Great Bay Charter School (M) Exeter 0.4 mi 6.9
Virtual Learning Academy (H) Exeter 0.4 mi 7.5
Virtual Learning Academy (E) Exeter 0.4 mi 9.4
SEACOAST PERFORMANCE ACADEMY Exeter 1.2 mi 4.5
Coastal Waters Chartered Public School (E) Exeter 1.7 mi 7.9
Coastal Waters Chartered Public School (H) Exeter 1.7 mi
APPLESEEDS DAY SCHOOL Exeter 2.0 mi
BUILDING BLOCK COMMONS Exeter 2.4 mi 6.6
Cooperative Middle School Stratham 2.6 mi 6.2
Kensington Elementary School Kensington 3.6 mi 5.8
Newfields Elementary School Newfields 3.7 mi 6.7
Exeter High School Exeter 3.5 mi 7.2
East Kingston Elementary School East Kingston 4.9 mi 4.8
ACORN SCHOOL Stratham 4.3 mi
Stratham Memorial School Stratham 4.9 mi 5.3
Newmarket Elementary School Newmarket 6.3 mi 8.0
Newmarket Jr.-Sr. High School Newmarket 6.5 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,000

Median Home Value

$157,400

Median Rent

$629/mo

Population

1,170

College Educated

10%

Homeownership

91.4%

Poverty Rate

20.2%

Median Age

62.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Phillips Exeter Academy has a median household income of $65,000. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,400, with a median rent of $629/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hanover High School Hanover, NH 7.9
Portsmouth High School Portsmouth, NH 8.1
Conval Regional High School Peterborough, NH 7.7
Hollis-Brookline High School Hollis, NH 8.4
Bedford High School Bedford, NH 7.5
Souhegan Coop High School Amherst, NH 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Phillips Exeter Academy

What grades does Phillips Exeter Academy serve?

Phillips Exeter Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Phillips Exeter Academy?

Phillips Exeter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,064 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Phillips Exeter Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Phillips Exeter Academy is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Phillips Exeter Academy rank in NH?

Phillips Exeter Academy is ranked #5 out of 73 private schools in NH.

What is Phillips Exeter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Phillips Exeter Academy has a composite rating of 8.0 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.

Is Phillips Exeter Academy a private school?

Yes, Phillips Exeter Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Phillips Exeter Academy a religious school?

No, Phillips Exeter Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
Average (580/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,064
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
165
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
163 days
Setting
Small Suburb
County
ROCKINGHAM
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

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