Merrimack Valley School District

Merrimack Valley School District serves approximately 2,170 students across seven schools in New Hampshire: five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, with no alternative schools. The elementary schools serve grades from the primary years through grade 5, followed by Merrimack Valley Middle School and Merrimack Valley High School. Overall, the district ranks 113th of 166 New Hampshire districts and receives a two-star rating, but school results vary considerably.

Salisbury Elementary School is the strongest academic standout, reporting 62% math and 83% reading proficiency, although its small enrollment of 64 students means results can change more noticeably from year to year. Among schools with a current ranking, Webster Elementary School is the strongest all-around performer and improved in math, reading, and science. It is also the only school with current science results above the state average. Loudon Elementary School has made progress in math and reading, while Boscawen Elementary School experienced a sharp recent decline. Penacook Elementary School remains the lowest-ranked elementary school despite improvement in reading and science.

Merrimack Valley Middle School is a major strength: it ranks above the statewide midpoint, improved substantially over three years, and matches or exceeds state performance in math and reading. The high school presents a mixed picture. Its 91.2% graduation rate is above the state rate and its dropout rate is slightly lower, but 2025-2026 proficiency was weak in math and science, and all three tested subjects declined sharply from the prior year. Across the district, reading is generally stronger than math, while science is the most widespread academic challenge. Parents comparing schools should therefore consider both current results and trends, especially the middle school’s improvement, Webster’s gains, Boscawen’s decline, and the high school’s need for stronger math and science outcomes.