Berlin Elementary School

Berlin Elementary School is a public school in Berlin, NH, serving about 412 students in prekindergarten through Grade 5 in a small northern New Hampshire community. The school is part of the Berlin School District. For 2025–2026, it ranks in the 17th percentile statewide, while the district ranks near the bottom of New Hampshire districts. Berlin serves a relatively high-need student population, with 63.83% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and has a student-teacher ratio of 12.1.

Academically, Berlin performs better than its district overall but remains below state averages in every tested subject: 32% of students are proficient in math, 40% in reading, and 24% in science. Reading has improved from 28% in 2023–2024 to 40% in 2025–2026, and Grade 5 reading is a bright spot at 59%, slightly above the state result. Grade 3 is a major concern, however, with only 22% proficient in math and 28% in reading. Science is the weakest subject overall and has fluctuated considerably in recent years. Berlin’s results are generally behind nearby schools such as Edward Fenn School and Groveton Elementary School, which report stronger performance in several subjects.

Comparisons should account for Berlin’s larger enrollment, higher student need, and somewhat higher student-teacher ratio than most nearby schools. Even so, Lancaster Elementary School performs better in all three tested subjects despite serving a somewhat smaller and less high-need population. The clearest positive development is special education effectiveness, whose statewide ranking rose to the 49th percentile in 2024–2025. Overall, the most important areas for improvement are Grade 3 foundational skills, mathematics across grades, and science, while the school’s recent reading gains and special education progress offer useful strengths to build on.