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A+
Schools in Hanover · Dresden School District, Hanover School District

Hanover’s public schools outscore 98% of New Hampshire districts

On the state math tests, 77% of Hanover’s students scored proficient, above the New Hampshire average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hanover, 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.

#1of 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
82%
▲ 31 pts vs NH 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
77%
▲ 36 pts vs NH 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 7–12 pts vs NH 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$26.7K
▲ 15% vs NH $23.3K
FY2024 · Dresden
Students per teacher
10.3
NH 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
1,506 students on the public path
In brief

Hanover’s schools, in brief

Hanover runs its own schools through grade 5, then shares

Bernice A. Ray School (K–5) is Hanover’s own. From grade 6, students attend the Dresden School District: Frances C. Richmond School, then Hanover High School. The high school’s own results earn an A+, the highest on the path; the middle school earns an A+. See the path ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 82% and math 77% across both districts in spring 2022, against 51% and 40% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Dresden spends $26,708 per student and Hanover $29,406, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

The Montessori Children's School (private) is in town. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Hanover’s grade

A+ Test scoresA Graduation

A+: better than 98% of New Hampshire school districts, #1 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 98%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Hampshire towns with similar household incomes (44)Better than 95%
Towns in Grafton County (33)Better than 97%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 718 test results and a graduating class of 162 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Hanover’s students in the tested grades sat them (722 in math, 715 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Bernice A. Ray SchoolHanover School DistrictA+
6–8Frances C. Richmond SchoolDresden School DistrictA+
9–12Hanover High SchoolDresden School DistrictA+

Hanover runs its own schools through grade 5 (Hanover School District). From grade 6, students attend the Dresden School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Hanover

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

Dresden School DistrictGrades 6–12 · 2 schools · 1,043 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 10.0 per teacher (NH 11.2)
$26,708NH $23,296 · FY2024
A+
Hanover School DistrictGrades K–5 · 1 schools · 463 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 11.1 per teacher (NH 11.2)
$29,406NH $23,296 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · 6–12, Dresden School District81%
State average 50.8% · 479 students tested
Math · 6–12, Dresden School District77%
State average 40.5% · 482 students tested
Reading · K–5, Hanover School District84%
State average 50.8% · 236 students tested
Math · K–5, Hanover School District76%
State average 40.5% · 240 students tested

Hanover vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HanoverA+Hanover K–5 · Dresden 6–12
LebanonB+Lebanon
LymeALyme
CanaanB−Mascoma Valley Regional

Norwich, VT borders Hanover but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Hanover

4 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 Hanoverby address
Bernice A. Ray School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A+
463 students11:1Rate it →
Frances C. Richmond School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A+
369 students9:1Rate it →
Hanover High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
674 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
The Montessori Children's School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
44 students7:1Rate it →

Questions about Hanover’s schools

Are Hanover’s schools good?

By New Hampshire’s own tests, yes: the public schools Hanover children attend outscore 98% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #1 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Hanover in?

Two districts: Hanover School District runs grades K–5, and Dresden School District runs grades 6–12.

Where do Hanover kids go to high school?

Hanover High School, with 674 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Hanover’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Dresden School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.

How much does Hanover spend per student?

$26,708 in Dresden School District and $29,406 in Hanover School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Hanover?

Yes: The Montessori Children's School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 44 students).

Parents talk

What Hanover families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hanover → 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.