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ChesterNH StevensMemorialHallPhoto: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Chester · Chester School District

Chester’s public schools score below 56% of New Hampshire districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Chester, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Hampshire, not nationally.

#69of 126 New Hampshire townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Hampshire state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2020’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
52%
▲ 1 pts vs NH 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
38%
▼ 2 pts vs NH 40%
2021–22
Spent per student
$21.0K
▼ 10% vs NH $23.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.5
NH 11.2
Schools in town
2
508 students on the public path
In brief

Chester’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 85 New Hampshire towns with household incomes within a quarter of Chester’s, its schools beat 19%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 52% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 51% and 40% statewide. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,008 per student, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Busche Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Chester’s grade

B− Test scores

C+: better than 44% of New Hampshire school districts, #69 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Test scores are below the New Hampshire average; there is no graduation rate to add.

New Hampshire school districts we grade (172)Better than 44%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Hampshire towns with similar household incomes (85)Better than 19%
Towns in Rockingham County (34)Better than 21%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 290 test results could put Chester anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Chester’s students in the tested grades sat them (291 in math, 289 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chester, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–8Chester AcademyChester School DistrictC

Chester’s public schools are run by Chester School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Chester School DistrictGrades PK–8 · 1 schools · 508 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 11.5 per teacher (NH 11.2)
$21,008NH $23,296 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading52%
State average 50.8% · 289 students tested
Math38%
State average 40.5% · 291 students tested

Chester vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New Hampshire towns that share Chester’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ChesterC+Chester
SandownBTimberlane Regional
RaymondCRaymond
AuburnA−Auburn
DerryCDerry
CandiaB+Candia

Every school in Chester

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Hampshire’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Chesterby address
Chester Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
C
508 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Busche Academy
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Nonsectarian
120 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Chester’s schools

Are Chester’s schools good?

On New Hampshire’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Chester children attend score below 56% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #69 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020.

What school district is Chester in?

Chester School District, which runs grades PK–8 and enrolls 508 students in 1 schools (2024–25).

How much does Chester spend per student?

$21,008 in Chester School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Chester?

Yes: Busche Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 120 students).

Parents talk

What Chester families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chester → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2020) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New Hampshire. Stars are from neighbors.