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Peterborough Town HousePhoto: SayCheeeeeese · Public domain
B−
Schools in Peterborough · Contoocook Valley School District

Peterborough’s public schools score below 51% of New Hampshire districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Peterborough, 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.

#60of 126 New Hampshire townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Hampshire state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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
48%
▼ 3 pts vs NH 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▼ 4 pts vs NH 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs NH 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$28.3K
▲ 21% vs NH $23.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.6
NH 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,231 students on the public path
In brief

Peterborough’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 51% and 40% statewide; 93% 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 Peterborough’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $28,279 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 5 the district’s path is South Meadow School, then Conval Regional High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Lionheart Classical Academy Chartered Public School and The Well School (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Peterborough’s grade

C Test scoresB Graduation

B−: better than 49% of New Hampshire school districts, #60 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Graduation is above the New Hampshire average; test scores are below it.

New Hampshire school districts we grade (172)Better than 49%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Hampshire towns with similar household incomes (167)Better than 53%
Towns in Hillsborough County (28)Better than 32%
CB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 984 test results and a graduating class of 165 could put Peterborough anywhere from C to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Peterborough’s students in the tested grades sat them (983 in math, 986 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–4Peterborough Elementary SchoolContoocook Valley School DistrictA−
5–8South Meadow SchoolContoocook Valley School DistrictC
9–12Conval Regional High SchoolContoocook Valley School DistrictB

Peterborough’s public schools are run by Contoocook Valley School District, which also serves Antrim, Bennington, Dublin and Francestown and others. 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.

Contoocook Valley School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 1,936 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 9.6 per teacher (NH 11.2)
$28,279NH $23,296 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 50.8% · 986 students tested
Math37%
State average 40.5% · 983 students tested

Peterborough vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PeterboroughB−Contoocook Valley
TempleB−Contoocook Valley
DublinB−Contoocook Valley
Sharon—Contoocook Valley
GreenfieldB−Contoocook Valley
HancockB−Contoocook Valley
HarrisvilleB−Harrisville

5 of the 6 neighbors share Contoocook Valley with Peterborough, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Peterborough

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 Peterboroughby address
Peterborough Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
A−
254 students10:1Rate it →
South Meadow School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C
332 students9:1Rate it →
Conval Regional High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
645 students12:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Lionheart Classical Academy Chartered Public School
Elementary · Grades K–7
Charter
311 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
The Well School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Nonsectarian
102 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Peterborough’s schools

Are Peterborough’s schools good?

On New Hampshire’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Peterborough children attend score below 51% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #60 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Peterborough in?

Contoocook Valley School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,936 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Peterborough kids go to high school?

Conval Regional High School, with 645 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Peterborough’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Peterborough spend per student?

$28,279 in Contoocook Valley School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Peterborough?

Yes: The Well School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 102 students). Peterborough also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Peterborough families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Peterborough → 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.