Cutler Elementary School

Cutler Elementary School in Swanzey, New Hampshire, serves 316 students in grades 3–6 and is part of the Monadnock Regional School District in the southwestern New Hampshire area. The school offers a moderately sized setting, but its district ranks near the bottom statewide, at about the 13th percentile, while Cutler ranks near the 19th percentile among New Hampshire schools.

Academically, Cutler generally performs at or slightly above its district averages, but remains below state expectations. In 2025–2026, 37% of students were proficient in math, 40% in reading, and 20% in science, compared with 44%, 55%, and 38% statewide. Science is the clearest schoolwide concern, while reading is also weak, particularly in grades 4–6. Math results vary by grade: fifth grade was notably low at 26%, but third and sixth grade results were stronger. Compared with Troy Elementary School, Cutler had lower overall math and reading results but slightly higher science performance. It trails stronger nearby schools such as Fuller Elementary School, Symonds Elementary School, Wheelock Elementary School, and Chesterfield Central School by substantial margins.

Families may also want to consider the school’s recent downward ranking trend, its relatively high student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, and persistent challenges for students receiving special education services. The latest data also show a large difference between female and male subgroup rankings, although the data do not explain why that gap exists. Cutler’s free- or reduced-price lunch rate is about 31%, similar to Fuller’s, suggesting that economic composition alone does not account for the performance gap. The school’s stronger third- and sixth-grade math results indicate that improvement is possible, especially if successful practices are extended to fifth-grade math, reading in grades 4–6, science instruction, and targeted student supports.