Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0Nashua’s public schools score below 72% of New Hampshire districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Nashua’s districts is 40%, below the New Hampshire average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Nashua, 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 83% 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.
Nashua’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 51% and 40% statewide; 83% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,592 per student, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Two Academy for Science and Design Charter campuses, MicroSociety Academy Charter School Foundation, World Academy (private), 2Nd Nature Academy (private), Creative Years Child Development & Learning CTR (private), Granite Start Early Learning Center (private), Heritage Baptist Academy (private), Nashua Childrens Home Educational Program (private) and The Harkness House (private) are 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 Nashua’s grade
C: better than 28% of New Hampshire school districts, #91 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Both inputs trail the New Hampshire average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Nashua, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Nashua · depends on your address
Pennichuck Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 768 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Brian S. McCarthy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 649 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Fairgrounds Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 585 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Nashua · depends on your address
Pennichuck Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 768 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Brian S. McCarthy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 649 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Fairgrounds Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 585 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Nashua · depends on your address
Pennichuck Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 768 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Brian S. McCarthy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 649 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Fairgrounds Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 585 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Nashua · depends on your address
Nashua High School South
Grades 9–12 · 1,686 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Nashua High School North
Grades 9–12 · 1,543 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Brentwood Academy
Grades 9–12 · 26 students · 4:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Nashua · depends on your address
Nashua High School South
Grades 9–12 · 1,686 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Nashua High School North
Grades 9–12 · 1,543 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Brentwood Academy
Grades 9–12 · 26 students · 4:1 students per teacher
Nashua’s public schools are run by Nashua 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.
Well below the state in reading
Nashua vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Hampshire towns that share Nashua’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Nashua | C | Nashua |
| Merrimack | B− | Merrimack |
| Hollis | A | Hollis PK–6 · Hollis-Brookline Cooperative 7–12 |
| Hudson | C | Hudson |
| Litchfield | B+ | Litchfield |
Dunstable, MA borders Nashua but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Nashua
30 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 (Nashua Title I Preschool).
Questions about Nashua’s schools
Are Nashua’s schools good?
On New Hampshire’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Nashua children attend score below 72% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #91 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Nashua in?
Nashua School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,741 students in 20 schools (2024–25).
Where do Nashua kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Nashua High School South, Nashua High School North and Brentwood Academy.
What is Nashua’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Nashua School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.
How much does Nashua spend per student?
$19,592 in Nashua School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Nashua?
Yes: World Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 309 students), 2Nd Nature Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–11, 127 students), Creative Years Child Development & Learning CTR (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 57 students), Granite Start Early Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 42 students), Heritage Baptist Academy (religious, grades K–12, 27 students), Nashua Childrens Home Educational Program (special education, grades , 10 students) and The Harkness House (nonsectarian, grades 6–9, 9 students). Nashua also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Nashua families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Nashua → 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.