Best Public Schools in Zip Code 03878

ZIP code 03878 includes four public schools in Somersworth serving approximately 1,311 students from prekindergarten through grade 12 within the Somersworth School District. The pathway includes Idlehurst Elementary School for PK–2, Maple Wood Elementary School for grades 3–5, Somersworth Middle School for grades 6–8, and Somersworth High School for grades 9–12.

Among schools with testing data, Somersworth Middle School has the strongest overall academic profile locally. It leads in reading, with 45% proficiency, and science, with 27%, and exceeds district averages in both subjects. Its student-teacher ratio is also the lowest at 9.6 students per teacher. Somersworth High School is comparatively stronger in reading than in other subjects, with 44% proficiency, but its math proficiency is 19%; it also reports a 79.2% graduation rate, below the state rate of 87%, and a 3.6% dropout rate, above the state rate of 2.3%. Maple Wood Elementary has the lowest statewide ranking, although its reading results improve from grade 3 through grade 5. Idlehurst serves younger students, so comparable state testing and ranking data were not provided.

Math is the most significant challenge across the area: proficiency is 19% at both Somersworth High School and Somersworth Middle School and 21% at Maple Wood, compared with 44% statewide. Reading is the strongest subject locally but remains below state benchmarks at every tested school. Recent science results improved at Maple Wood and Somersworth Middle School, while declining at Somersworth High School. Families may want to examine the district’s plans for math support, the transition from elementary to middle school, and high school graduation and dropout prevention. Overall, the district ranks near the bottom statewide, making school-level differences—especially the middle school’s relative strengths—important to consider.