Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 4.0Loudon’s public schools score below 52% of New Hampshire districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Loudon, 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 92% 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.
Loudon’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 39% in math, against 51% and 40% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire (the state reports Loudon’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,165 per student, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Merrimack Valley Middle School, then Merrimack Valley High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Benjamin Franklin Academy Chartered Public School 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.
What’s behind Loudon’s grade
B−: better than 48% of New Hampshire school districts, #63 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Graduation is above the New Hampshire average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Loudon, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Loudon · depends on your address
Penacook Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 325 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Penacook
Boscawen Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Boscawen
Kindergarten in Loudon
Loudon Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 243 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Loudon
Merrimack Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 466 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Penacook
7th grade in Loudon
Merrimack Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 466 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Penacook
8th grade in Loudon
Merrimack Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 466 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Penacook
9th grade in Loudon
Merrimack Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 744 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Penacook
10th grade in Loudon
Merrimack Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 744 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Penacook
Loudon’s public schools are run by Merrimack Valley School District, which also serves Boscawen, Salisbury and Webster. 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.
Below the state in reading
Loudon vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Hampshire towns that share Loudon’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Loudon | B− | Merrimack Valley |
| Canterbury | C | Shaker Regional |
| Chichester | B | Chichester |
| Gilmanton | A− | Gilmanton |
| Concord | C− | Concord |
Every school in Loudon
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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Benjamin Franklin Academy Chartered Public School (H)).
Questions about Loudon’s schools
Are Loudon’s schools good?
On New Hampshire’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Loudon children attend score below 52% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #63 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Loudon in?
Merrimack Valley School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,170 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Loudon kids go to high school?
Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook, with 744 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Loudon’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Merrimack Valley School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.
How much does Loudon spend per student?
$21,165 in Merrimack Valley School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Loudon families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Loudon → 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.