Excellent
#80 of 480 schools in NH
Top 17% in state
Portsmouth Middle School
Middle School · Portsmouth School District
155 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#2 of 5
public schools
New Hampshire middle schools
#8 of 96
In district
#2 of 5
Portsmouth School District
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Portsmouth Middle School
Portsmouth Middle School serves 472 students in grades 6-8 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 37th out of 483 New Hampshire schools, the school places in the 92nd percentile statewide. The school maintains an excellent 10:1 student-teacher ratio with 47 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with strong individual attention.
Academically, Portsmouth Middle School demonstrates solid performance with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 57% meet proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels. Students benefit from being part of a well-educated community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding Portsmouth area reflects stability and educational values, with a median household income of $100,839 and median home values of $605,300.
The low poverty rate of 5.9% in the 03801 ZIP code area suggests most students come from economically stable households. Portsmouth Middle School operates in a small suburban setting that combines the charm of New Hampshire's seacoast region with access to quality educational resources, making it an appealing choice for families seeking a strong middle school experience in a supportive community environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Portsmouth Middle School — Students at Portsmouth Middle School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Portsmouth Middle School Compares
See how Portsmouth Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
155 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portsmouth Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Shapleigh School (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Kittery), with a comparable rating. Another option is Rye Junior High School (rated 6.9/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Rye), a more accessible option. Additionally, Marshwood Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Eliot), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Little Harbour School Portsmouth | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| PEEP School - Pre School Program Portsmouth | 0.6 mi | — |
| Portsmouth High School Portsmouth | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| New Franklin School Portsmouth | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Robert W Traip Academy Kittery | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Mary C. Dondero Elementary School Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Maude H. Trefethen School New Castle | 1.9 mi | — |
| ST PATRICK ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Shapleigh School Kittery | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Rye Elementary School Rye | 3.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Eliot Elementary School Eliot | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Horace Mitchell Primary School Kittery Point | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Rye Junior High School Rye | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| SEACOAST WALDORF SCHOOL Eliot | 4.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Newington Public School Newington | 4.2 mi | 9.5 |
| LEARNING SKILLS ACADEMY Rye | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Greenland Central School Greenland | 4.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Marshwood Middle School Eliot | 5.9 mi | 5.2 |
| BRIXHAM MONTESSORI FRIENDS SCHOOL York | 6.5 mi | — |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL Dover | 6.8 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Hollis-Brookline Middle School Hollis, NH | 7.9 |
| Hollis Upper Elementary School Hollis, NH | 8.4 |
| McKelvie Intermediate School Bedford, NH | 7.6 |
| David R. Cawley Middle School Hooksett, NH | 8.5 |
| Oyster River Middle School Durham, NH | 7.5 |
| Windham Center School Windham, NH | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portsmouth Middle School
What grades does Portsmouth Middle School serve?
Portsmouth Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Portsmouth Middle School?
Portsmouth Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 472 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth Middle School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portsmouth Middle School rank in NH?
Portsmouth Middle School is ranked #80 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Portsmouth Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Portsmouth Middle School 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.
What are the test scores at Portsmouth Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portsmouth Middle School has 58.7% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portsmouth Middle School a charter school?
No, Portsmouth Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portsmouth Middle School a Title I school?
No, Portsmouth Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portsmouth Middle School?
14.0% of students at Portsmouth 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 472
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Rockingham County
- Phone
- (603) 436-5781
- 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
- #2 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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