Best Public Schools in Laconia, NH

Laconia, New Hampshire, has five public schools serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12, with about 1,808 students across three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in the Laconia School District. The schools differ considerably in academic performance. Overall, the district ranks near the lower end of New Hampshire districts, but families will find a notably stronger option alongside several schools needing substantial improvement.

Elm Street School is the clear academic leader, earning three stars and ranking in the 52nd percentile statewide. It is the only school matching or exceeding state averages across all broad subject areas, with 54% of students proficient in mathematics, 52% in reading, and 38% in science. Its standout result is third-grade mathematics, at 81% proficiency. However, its statewide ranking has declined gradually over three years. The other elementary schools face greater challenges: Woodland Heights Elementary School ranks in the 10th percentile, while Pleasant Street School ranks in the 14th percentile. Both experienced sharp recent declines, especially in science. Woodland Heights has the district’s lowest science result at 15%, while Pleasant Street fell 21 points in science in one year.

Laconia Middle School ranks in the 30th percentile and has shown modest improvement, but mathematics becomes weaker with each grade, falling from 45% proficiency in sixth grade to 18% in eighth grade. Laconia High School has improved its recent test scores and reports an 85.8% graduation rate and 2.1% dropout rate, yet mathematics remains a major concern at 18% proficiency. Across the area, science is the broadest weakness, while secondary mathematics deserves focused attention. Reported student-teacher ratios are similar among schools, so differences likely require school-specific solutions, including protecting Elm Street’s strengths, improving elementary science and upper-grade skills, and strengthening mathematics from middle school through high school.