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Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)

Public, Charter Grades 5-8

4^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 138 New Hampshire Middle Schools

Better than 97% of New Hampshire middle schools

Summary

Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) is a small public charter school in Nashua, NH, serving 408 students in grades 5–8 in the greater Nashua area. It is one of New Hampshire’s strongest middle schools, ranking fourth statewide in 2025–2026 and earning a five-star rating. The school has remained near the top of the state for about a decade, ranking first or second in most years. Because it is a charter school, it operates separately from the Nashua School District, even though it is located in Nashua.

Academically, the school stands out for balanced performance in all three tested subjects. In 2025–2026, 79% of students were proficient in mathematics, 81% in reading, and 77% in science—about 33 percentage points higher overall than New Hampshire averages. Results are also consistent across grades: math proficiency ranges from 78% to 81% in grades 5–8, while reading remains at least 76% in every grade. Science improved especially sharply, rising from 59% the previous year to 77%. The school’s results exceed those of every nearby comparison school. Even the high-performing Hollis-Brookline Middle School trails by 12 points in math, 6 in reading, and 11 in science. Amherst Middle School also posts strong results but remains behind overall.

For families comparing local options, the school’s long-term consistency and strong performance across multiple student groups are notable advantages. Its reported student-teacher ratio of 15.2 to 1 is higher than most nearby schools, showing that its results are not simply associated with the smallest class ratios. One important context point is that only 1.72% of students were reported as participating in free- or reduced-price lunch, a much lower share than at many nearby schools; this makes direct comparisons with schools serving different populations more complicated. Even with that caveat, the school’s sustained statewide ranking, strong grade-level results, and especially impressive science, math, and reading outcomes make it an academically distinctive choice in the Nashua area.

408

Students ?

15.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

1.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

9 Townsend West
Nashua, NH 03063-1233

(603) 595-4705

District: Academy for Science and Design Charter School

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

44.9%

White:

39.5%

Two or more races:

7.1%

See top rated New Hampshire middle schools

Compare Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the New Hampshire average (79% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of New Hampshire middle schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school79%

District avg82%

New Hampshire avg46%

4^th of 138

New Hampshire public middle schools ?

Top 3%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of New Hampshire Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 166Academy for Science and Design Charter School among New Hampshire districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	96.2	4 of 138	97.1%	★★★★★
2025	94.3	2 of 132	98.5%	★★★★★
2024	95.7	2 of 130	98.5%	★★★★★
2023	96.9	2 of 134	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	96.9	2 of 130	98.5%	★★★★★
2021	98.4	1 of 125	99.2%	★★★★★
2019	97.3	1 of 128	99.2%	★★★★★
2018	98.7	1 of 131	99.2%	★★★★★
2017	97.2	1 of 125	99.2%	★★★★★
2016	96.0	2 of 134	98.5%	★★★★★
2015	96.7	2 of 107	98.1%	★★★★★
2014	94.9	2 of 132	98.5%	★★★★★
2013	96.6	1 of 131	99.2%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	86.4	2 of 12	83.3%	★★★★★
2025	64.1	4 of 10	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.1	3 of 10	70.0%	★★★★☆
2023	80.5	2 of 10	80.0%	★★★★☆
2018	90.1	3 of 16	81.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	92.2	4 of 113	96.5%	★★★★★
2025	90.6	7 of 112	93.8%	★★★★★
2024	94.4	3 of 110	97.3%	★★★★★
2023	96.7	1 of 114	99.1%	★★★★★
2022	94.2	3 of 115	97.4%	★★★★★
2021	95.4	3 of 113	97.3%	★★★★★
2019	97.1	1 of 114	99.1%	★★★★★
2018	97.8	1 of 116	99.1%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	77.6	3 of 19	84.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	96.7	4 of 121	96.7%	★★★★★
2025	95.6	2 of 116	98.3%	★★★★★
2024	95.8	2 of 113	98.2%	★★★★★
2023	96.1	2 of 117	98.3%	★★★★★
2022	97.8	1 of 117	99.1%	★★★★★
2021	99.0	1 of 116	99.1%	★★★★★
2019	96.8	1 of 113	99.1%	★★★★★
2018	98.0	1 of 114	99.1%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2021	85.5	1 of 2	50.0%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	83.6	4 of 13	69.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Hampshire percentile	Rating
2026	96.7	3 of 136	97.8%	★★★★★
2025	96.3	1 of 131	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	94.9	2 of 128	98.4%	★★★★★
2023	95.9	2 of 132	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	95.3	3 of 129	97.7%	★★★★★
2021	98.2	1 of 123	99.2%	★★★★★
2019	97.5	1 of 126	99.2%	★★★★★
2018	98.5	1 of 129	99.2%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)97th percentile~ school

Female (2026)96th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)84th percentile-13 vs school

Asian (2026)83rd percentile-14 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)69th percentile-28 vs school

Military Connected (2021)50th percentile-49 vs school

By subject vs New Hampshire (2025-2026) ?

Reading81%+26 vs state

Mathematics79%+35 vs state

Science77%+39 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Saturday, February 2, 2013

I am a student at ASD, and I never want to leave. The programs are excellent for students who find regular public schools to be slow-paced and not academically challenging. This is a fantastic place to go to school! Close Quote

Schools Near Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				NH SAS Mathematics (2026)						NH SAS Reading (2026)						NH SAS Science (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NH SAS Mathematics 4th Grade	NH SAS Mathematics 5th Grade	NH SAS Mathematics 6th Grade	NH SAS Mathematics 7th Grade	NH SAS Mathematics 8th Grade	NH SAS Mathematics All Grades	NH SAS Reading 4th Grade	NH SAS Reading 5th Grade	NH SAS Reading 6th Grade	NH SAS Reading 7th Grade	NH SAS Reading 8th Grade	NH SAS Reading All Grades	NH SAS Science 5th Grade	NH SAS Science 8th Grade	NH SAS Science All Grades	Total
Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)	Public, Charter	5-8	9 Townsend West	Nashua	03063	Hillsborough County	Academy for Science and Design Charter School	Yes	No	No	No	(603) 595-4705	408	27	15.2	1.7%	161 (39.5%)	12 (2.9%)	18 (4.4%)	183 (44.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.2%)	29 (7.1%)	96.2	4^th of 138 public middle schools	97.1%		94.3	2^nd of 132 public middle schools	98.5%	2		79.0	81.0	79.0	78.0	79.0		83.0	76.0	85.0	81.0	81.0	68.0	81.0	77.0
Pennichuck Middle School	Public	6-8	207 Manchester St.	Nashua	03060	Hillsborough County	Nashua School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 966-4140	768	66	11.6	46.6%	396 (51.6%)	23 (3.0%)	255 (33.2%)	18 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	76 (9.9%)	21.6	112^th of 138 public middle schools	18.8%		18.6	112^th of 132 public middle schools	15.2%				31.0	32.0	25.0	30.0			37.0	50.0	31.0	40.0		22.0	22.0	$15,064
Amherst Middle School	Public	5-8	14 Cross Rd.	Amherst	03031	Hillsborough County	Amherst School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 673-8944	635	52	12.2	8.2%	571 (89.9%)	2 (0.3%)	27 (4.3%)	10 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.8%)	86.1	14^th of 138 public middle schools	89.9%		81.9	15^th of 132 public middle schools	88.6%	1		60.0	72.0	66.0	60.0	64.0		67.0	69.0	77.0	67.0	71.0	58.0	55.0	56.0	$20,246
Fairgrounds Middle School	Public	6-8	27 Cleveland St.	Nashua	03060	Hillsborough County	Nashua School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 594-4393	585	48	12.1	42.2%	301 (51.5%)	13 (2.2%)	191 (32.6%)	38 (6.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.0%)	22.2	111^th of 138 public middle schools	19.6%		22.1	105^th of 132 public middle schools	20.5%	6			32.0	26.0	29.0	29.0			33.0	45.0	37.0	38.0		29.0	29.0	$14,734
Litchfield Middle School	Public	5-8	19 McElwain Dr.	Litchfield	03052	Hillsborough County	Litchfield School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 424-0566	344	30	11.5	11.0%	294 (85.5%)	3 (0.9%)	21 (6.1%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (6.1%)	64.4	39^th of 138 public middle schools	71.7%		40.5	82^nd of 132 public middle schools	37.9%	43		35.0	40.0	45.0	64.0	46.0		58.0	49.0	64.0	67.0	60.0	42.0	51.0	47.0	$16,703
Hollis Upper Elementary School	Public	4-6	12 Drury Ln.	Hollis	03049	Hillsborough County	Hollis School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 465-9182	277	27	10.1	3.2%	251 (90.6%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.1%)								(n/a)	64.0	68.0	61.0			65.0	68.0	78.0	75.0			73.0	60.0		60.0	$17,206
Hollis-Brookline Middle School	Public	7-8	25 Main St.	Hollis	03049	Hillsborough County	Hollis-Brookline Cooperative School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 324-5997	369	35	10.6	3.5%	331 (89.7%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	16 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.1%)	90.5	8^th of 138 public middle schools	94.2%		74.7	24^th of 132 public middle schools	81.8%	16				69.0	66.0	67.0				74.0	76.0	75.0		66.0	66.0	$17,320
Hudson Memorial School	Public	6-8	1 Memorial Dr.	Hudson	03051	Hillsborough County	Hudson School District	No	No	No	No	(603) 886-1240	648	54	12.0	18.4%	517 (79.8%)	7 (1.1%)	50 (7.7%)	13 (2.0%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (9.0%)	43.3	76^th of 138 public middle schools	44.9%		55	52^nd of 132 public middle schools	60.6%	24			35.0	40.0	41.0	39.0			48.0	64.0	45.0	52.0		33.0	33.0	$15,322
Brian S. McCarthy Middle School	Public	6-8	41 Diantonio Dr	Nashua	03062	Hillsborough County	Nashua School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(603) 966-3900	649	58	11.1	44.1%	311 (47.9%)	25 (3.9%)	228 (35.1%)	32 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (8.2%)	15	123^rd of 138 public middle schools	10.9%					(n/a)			32.0	22.0	17.0	23.0			39.0	38.0	27.0	35.0		20.0	20.0
James Mastricola Upper Elementary School	Public	5-6	26 Baboosic Lake Rd.	Merrimack	03054	Hillsborough County	Merrimack School District	No	No	No	Yes	(603) 424-6221	533	40	13.3	14.1%	449 (84.2%)	4 (0.8%)	22 (4.1%)	9 (1.7%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (8.4%)								(n/a)		48.0	50.0			49.0		65.0	59.0			62.0	35.0		35.0	$18,479

Frequently Asked Questions about Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)

Is Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) a good school?

Yes! Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 4^th of 138 New Hampshire middle schools.

How many students attend Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)?

In the 2024-25 school year, 408 students attended Academy for Science and Design Charter (M).

What is the racial makeup of Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)?

Students at Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) are 45% Asian, 39% White, 7% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 3% African American, 1% Pacific Islander.

What district is Academy for Science and Design Charter (M) in?

Academy for Science and Design Charter School

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Latest New Hampshire data All new data »

2025–26 NH SAS & SAT test scoresSep 7, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 12, 2025

2024–25 NH SAS & SAT test scoresSep 6, 2025

2015–16 through 2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesJul 30, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Hampshire Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.