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Thompson Hall, UNH 1Photo: AcrossTheAtlantic · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Durham · Oyster River Cooperative School District

Durham’s public schools outscore 85% of New Hampshire districts

Math proficiency in Durham’s districts is 67%, above the New Hampshire average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Durham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Hampshire, not nationally.

#11of 126 New Hampshire townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Hampshire state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
72%
▲ 21 pts vs NH 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
67%
▲ 26 pts vs NH 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs NH 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$23.8K
▲ 2% vs NH $23.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.7
NH 11.2
Schools in town
3
2,097 students on the public path
In brief

Durham’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 72% and math 67% in spring 2022, against 51% and 40% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $23,769 per student, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Oyster River Middle School, then Oyster River High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Durham’s grade

A Test scoresB Graduation

A: better than 85% of New Hampshire school districts, #11 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Hampshire average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

New Hampshire school districts we grade (172)Better than 85%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Hampshire towns with similar household incomes (134)Better than 88%
Towns in Strafford County (10)Better than 70%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,048 test results and a graduating class of 195 could put Durham anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Durham’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,048 in math, 1,047 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–42 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA+
5–8Oyster River Middle SchoolOyster River Cooperative School DistrictA−
9–12Oyster River High SchoolOyster River Cooperative School DistrictA+

Durham’s public schools are run by Oyster River Cooperative School District, which also serves Lee and Madbury. 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.

Oyster River Cooperative School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,097 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 11.7 per teacher (NH 11.2)
$23,769NH $23,296 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading72%
State average 50.8% · 1047 students tested
Math67%
State average 40.5% · 1048 students tested

Durham vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DurhamAOyster River Cooperative
Newington—Newington
MadburyAOyster River Cooperative
LeeAOyster River Cooperative
NewmarketBNewmarket

2 of the 4 neighbors share Oyster River Cooperative with Durham, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Durham

5 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 Durhamby address
Oyster River Preschool Education Program
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
30 students15:1Rate it →
Oyster River Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
A−
585 students10:1Rate it →
Oyster River High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
825 students12:1Rate it →
Also serving Durhamin other towns
Mast Way School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Lee
A+
348 students13:1Rate it →
Moharimet School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Madbury
A+
309 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Durham’s schools

Are Durham’s schools good?

By New Hampshire’s own tests, yes: the public schools Durham children attend outscore 85% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #11 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Durham in?

Oyster River Cooperative School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,097 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Durham kids go to high school?

Oyster River High School, with 825 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Durham’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Oyster River Cooperative School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.

How much does Durham spend per student?

$23,769 in Oyster River Cooperative School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Durham families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) 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.