Average
#345 of 480 schools in NH
South Meadow School
Middle School · Contoocook Valley School District
108 Hancock Rd., Peterborough, NH 03458
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Peterborough
#3 of 4
public schools
New Hampshire middle schools
#63 of 96
In district
#11 of 11
Contoocook Valley School District
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About South Meadow School
South Meadow School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Peterborough, New Hampshire. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, South Meadow has an enrollment of 347 students and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranking at the 26th percentile among New Hampshire schools, South Meadow is dedicated to fostering an educational environment that focuses on student development.
In academic performance, students show proficiency rates of 47% in ELA/Reading and 31% in Math, indicating areas where further growth could benefit the school community. Set amidst a peaceful rural landscape, South Meadow School offers its students a unique blend of academic support and small-town charm.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, South Meadow 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, South Meadow 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Meadow School — Students at South Meadow School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.9%
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: 4.6/10.
How South Meadow School Compares
See how South Meadow School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
108 Hancock Rd., Peterborough, NH 03458
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Meadow School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Great Brook School (rated 6.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Antrim), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Conant Middle High School (M) (rated 4.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Jaffrey), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Peterborough, see our Peterborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Conval Regional High School Peterborough | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Peterborough Elementary School Peterborough | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| THE WELL SCHOOL Peterborough | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Lionheart Classical Academy Chartered Public School Peterborough | 3.8 mi | 4.1 |
| MOUNTAIN SHADOWS SCHOOL Dublin | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Greenfield Elementary School Greenfield | 4.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Hancock Elementary School Hancock | 5.3 mi | 9.1 |
| LEGACY BY GERSH AT CROTCHED MOUNTAIN Greenfield | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Pierce Elementary School Bennington | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Dublin Consolidated School Dublin | 5.9 mi | 7.8 |
| VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL Jaffrey | 7.5 mi | 2.7 |
| Great Brook School Antrim | 8.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Conant Middle High School (H) Jaffrey | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Antrim Elementary School Antrim | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
| DUBLIN SCHOOL Dublin | 6.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Conant Middle High School (M) Jaffrey | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Jaffrey Grade School Jaffrey | 7.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Lyndeborough Central School Lyndeborough | 7.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Francestown Elementary School Francestown | 8.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Temple Elementary School Temple | 9.7 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 03458 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,189
Median Home Value
$368,100
Median Rent
$1,304/mo
Population
6,914
College Educated
58.3%
Homeownership
58.2%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
51.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Meadow School has a median household income of $100,189. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $368,100, with a median rent of $1,304/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Gilford Middle School Gilford, NH | 5.2 |
| Milford Middle School Milford, NH | 5.2 |
| Somersworth Middle School Somersworth, NH | 5.2 |
| Franklin Middle School Franklin, NH | 5.0 |
| Newmarket Jr.-Sr. High (Elem) Newmarket, NH | 5.4 |
| Seabrook Middle School Seabrook, NH | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Meadow School
What grades does South Meadow School serve?
South Meadow School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend South Meadow School?
South Meadow School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Meadow School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Meadow School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Meadow School rank in NH?
South Meadow School is ranked #345 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is South Meadow School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Meadow School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 South Meadow School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Meadow School has 31.3% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Meadow School a charter school?
No, South Meadow School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Meadow School a Title I school?
No, South Meadow School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Meadow School?
19.9% of students at South Meadow 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
- City Safety
- Average (475/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Peterborough). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 347
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hillsborough County
- Phone
- (603) 924-7105
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Contoocook Valley School District- District Enrollment
- 1,951
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,168
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
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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