Summary:
ZIP code 03865 has one elementary school, Pollard Elementary School in Plaistow, serving approximately 434 students from Pre-K through Grade 5. The school is part of the Timberlane Regional School District and reports a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 10.9 to 1. Since there is no other elementary school in the ZIP code, families comparing local options will primarily want to understand Pollard’s academic strengths, areas needing improvement, and recent trends.
Mathematics is the school’s clearest strength and has improved substantially. Overall math proficiency rose from 36% to 45% in one year, reaching slightly above both the district and New Hampshire averages. Third-grade math was especially strong, with 57% of students proficient, compared with 54% in both comparison groups. However, performance dropped to 39% in both fourth and fifth grade, making the transition from third to fourth grade an important area to watch. Reading results were weaker overall: 44% of students were proficient, compared with 52% in the district and 55% statewide. Reading proficiency was below district and state levels in every tested grade, although fifth grade was the strongest at 53%.
Science was the lowest-performing subject, with 32% proficiency—equal to the district but six points below the state. The school’s overall ranking improved to the 30th percentile in 2025–2026, up from the 25th percentile the previous year, and its rating rose from one star to two. These gains suggest progress, particularly in math, but performance remains below the statewide midpoint. For parents, the most important takeaways are the strong recent math improvement, the need for continued support in reading and science, and the notable variation between grade levels. Pollard offers a small-to-midsize setting with favorable staffing levels, but academic results are mixed and should be considered by subject and grade rather than by the overall ranking alone.
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