Excellent
#74 of 480 schools in NH
Top 15% in state
Portsmouth High School
High School · Portsmouth School District
50 Andrew Jarvis Dr., Portsmouth, NH 03801
Enrollment
1,025
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
1,025
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#1 of 5
public schools
New Hampshire high schools
#13 of 95
In district
#1 of 5
Portsmouth School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School is a public high school in Portsmouth, NH, part of the Portsmouth School District. The school serves approximately 1,025 students in grades 9th – UG with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 84.8th percentile among NH schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math and 76% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $106,520, where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Portsmouth High School — Students at Portsmouth High School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Portsmouth High School Compares
See how Portsmouth High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 61% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 79% (2022).
Location
50 Andrew Jarvis Dr., Portsmouth, NH 03801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portsmouth High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Robert W Traip Academy (rated 5.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Kittery), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Dover), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Little Harbour School Portsmouth | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| PEEP School - Pre School Program Portsmouth | 0.8 mi | — |
| Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| New Franklin School Portsmouth | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Mary C. Dondero Elementary School Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| ST PATRICK ACADEMY Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Rye Elementary School Rye | 2.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Robert W Traip Academy Kittery | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Maude H. Trefethen School New Castle | 2.3 mi | — |
| Rye Junior High School Rye | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Shapleigh School Kittery | 4.0 mi | 7.2 |
| LEARNING SKILLS ACADEMY Rye | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Eliot Elementary School Eliot | 4.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Horace Mitchell Primary School Kittery Point | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Greenland Central School Greenland | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Newington Public School Newington | 4.6 mi | 9.5 |
| SEACOAST WALDORF SCHOOL Eliot | 5.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Marshwood Middle School Eliot | 6.7 mi | 5.2 |
| North Hampton School North Hampton | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL Dover | 7.4 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 03801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,520
Median Home Value
$647,500
Median Rent
$1,783/mo
Population
23,231
College Educated
63.4%
Homeownership
53.2%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Portsmouth High School has a median household income of $106,520. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $647,500, with a median rent of $1,783/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY Exeter, NH | 8.0 |
| Hanover High School Hanover, NH | 7.9 |
| Hollis-Brookline High School Hollis, NH | 8.4 |
| Conval Regional High School Peterborough, NH | 7.7 |
| Bedford High School Bedford, NH | 7.5 |
| Souhegan Coop High School Amherst, NH | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portsmouth High School
What grades does Portsmouth High School serve?
Portsmouth High School serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Portsmouth High School?
Portsmouth High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,025 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth High School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portsmouth High School rank in NH?
Portsmouth High School is ranked #74 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Portsmouth High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Portsmouth High School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Portsmouth High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portsmouth High School has 58.3% math proficiency and 76.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portsmouth High School a charter school?
No, Portsmouth High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portsmouth High School a Title I school?
No, Portsmouth High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portsmouth High School?
9.6% of students at Portsmouth 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 1,025
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 87
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Rockingham County
- Phone
- (603) 436-7100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth School District- District Enrollment
- 2,449
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,139
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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