Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0Rochester’s public schools score below 92% of New Hampshire districts on tests and graduation
29% of students in Rochester’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the New Hampshire average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rochester, 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 86% 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.
Rochester’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 51% and 40% statewide; 86% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,774 per student, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Monarch School of New England (private) and St. Charles 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.
What’s behind Rochester’s grade
D: better than 8% of New Hampshire school districts, #118 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 Rochester, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Rochester
East Rochester School
Grades PK–5 · 300 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in E. Rochester
6th grade in Rochester
Rochester Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 803 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Rochester
Rochester Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 803 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rochester
Rochester Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 803 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Spaulding High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,298 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bud Carlson Academy
Grades 9–12 · 96 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Spaulding High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,298 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bud Carlson Academy
Grades 9–12 · 96 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Spaulding High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,298 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bud Carlson Academy
Grades 9–12 · 96 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Spaulding High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,298 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bud Carlson Academy
Grades 9–12 · 96 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Rochester’s public schools are run by Rochester 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
Rochester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Hampshire towns that share Rochester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | D | Rochester |
| Barrington | B | Barrington |
| Farmington | C− | Farmington |
| Strafford | C− | Strafford |
| Dover | C+ | Dover |
Berwick, ME and Lebanon, ME border Rochester but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Rochester
12 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 Rochester’s schools
Are Rochester’s schools good?
On New Hampshire’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rochester children attend score below 92% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #118 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rochester in?
Rochester School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,778 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Rochester kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Spaulding High School and Bud Carlson Academy.
What is Rochester’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Rochester School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.
How much does Rochester spend per student?
$20,774 in Rochester School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rochester?
Yes: Monarch School of New England (special education, grades 1–12, 63 students) and St. Charles School (special education, grades 1–7, 21 students).
Parents talk
What Rochester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rochester → 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.