Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Exeter’s public schools outscore 75% of New Hampshire districts
50% of students in Exeter’s public schools are proficient in math, above the New Hampshire average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Exeter, 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.
From New Hampshire state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% 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.
Exeter’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 153 New Hampshire towns with household incomes within a quarter of Exeter’s, its schools beat 82%, higher than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Exeter runs its own schools through grade 5, then shares
Main Street School (PK–2) and Lincoln Street Elementary School (3–5) are Exeter’s own. From grade 6, students attend the Exeter Regional Cooperative School District with Brentwood, East Kingston, Kensington, Newfields and Stratham: Cooperative Middle School in Stratham, then Exeter High School. The high school’s own results earn an A, the highest on the path; the middle school earns a B. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 50% across both districts in spring 2022, against 51% and 40% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Exeter Regional Cooperative spends $27,395 per student and Exeter $29,050, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Two Great Bay Charter School campuses and Phillips Exeter Academy (private) are in town. Virtual Learning Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Exeter’s grade
A−: better than 75% of New Hampshire school districts, #26 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Hampshire average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Exeter, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Exeter
Main Street School
Grades PK–2 · 406 students · 9:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Exeter
Lincoln Street Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 401 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Exeter
Lincoln Street Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 401 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Exeter
Lincoln Street Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 401 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Exeter
Cooperative Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 945 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Stratham
7th grade in Exeter
Cooperative Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 945 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Stratham
8th grade in Exeter
Cooperative Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 945 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Stratham
9th grade in Exeter
Exeter High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,348 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Exeter
Exeter High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,348 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Exeter
Exeter High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,348 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Exeter
Exeter High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,348 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Exeter runs its own schools through grade 5 (Exeter School District). From grade 6, students attend the Exeter Regional Cooperative School District, shared with Brentwood, East Kingston, Kensington, Newfields and Stratham. Its middle school is in Stratham. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Exeter
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Exeter vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Hampshire towns that share Exeter’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter | A− | Exeter PK–5 · Exeter Regional Cooperative 6–12 |
| Stratham | A− | Stratham PK–5 · Exeter Regional Cooperative 6–12 |
| Brentwood | A− | Brentwood PK–5 · Exeter Regional Cooperative 6–12 |
| Newfields | B+ | Newfields K–5 · Exeter Regional Cooperative 6–12 |
| Kingston | C | Sanborn Regional |
| East Kingston | B+ | East Kingston K–5 · Exeter Regional Cooperative 6–12 |
| Kensington | A− | Kensington PK–5 · Exeter Regional Cooperative 6–12 |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Exeter Regional Cooperative with Exeter for grades 6–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Exeter
9 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).
Questions about Exeter’s schools
Are Exeter’s schools good?
By New Hampshire’s own tests, yes: the public schools Exeter children attend outscore 75% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #26 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Exeter in?
Two districts: Exeter School District runs grades PK–5, and Exeter Regional Cooperative School District runs grades 6–12, shared with Brentwood, East Kingston, Kensington, Newfields and Stratham.
Where do Exeter kids go to high school?
Exeter High School, with 1,348 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Exeter’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Exeter Regional Cooperative School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.
How much does Exeter spend per student?
$27,395 in Exeter Regional Cooperative School District and $29,050 in Exeter School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Exeter?
Yes: Phillips Exeter Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 1,055 students). Exeter also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Exeter families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Exeter → 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.