Summary:
The Shaker Regional School District has two elementary schools serving 426 students in the Belmont and Canterbury area: Belmont Elementary School serves Pre-K through Grade 4, while Canterbury Elementary School serves Kindergarten through Grade 5. Belmont is the larger school, enrolling 336 students, while Canterbury enrolls 90.
Canterbury is the stronger-performing school overall. It ranked 55th of 230 New Hampshire schools, placing it in the 76th percentile with a four-star rating. Its 2025–2026 proficiency rates were 63% in mathematics and 67% in reading, compared with 43% and 54% at Belmont. Canterbury was especially strong in Grade 3 mathematics, where 83% of students were proficient, far above Belmont’s 45%, the district’s 58%, and the state’s 54%. Canterbury also exceeded Belmont in Grade 3 and Grade 4 reading. However, its Grade 4 mathematics result was a notable weakness at 37%, below Belmont, the district, and the state.
Belmont ranked 130th of 230 schools, or the 43rd percentile, but its ranking has improved from 159th in 2023–2024. Reading is Belmont’s relative strength: its Grade 3 and Grade 4 reading proficiency rates were above statewide results, while mathematics was below the state in both grades. Belmont also has a higher free/reduced-price lunch rate than Canterbury, 34.82% compared with 8.89%, and a slightly higher student-teacher ratio, 10.2 versus 9.2. These factors provide useful context but do not by themselves explain academic outcomes. Since Belmont serves nearly four out of five elementary students in the district, improvement there would have the greatest effect on districtwide results. Parents comparing schools should view Canterbury as the stronger academic option overall, while noting Belmont’s improving ranking and solid reading performance.
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