Top Rankings
Portsmouth School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Hampshire for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,440 students in Portsmouth School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in New Hampshire.
Schools in Portsmouth School District have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the New Hampshire public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is more than the New Hampshire public school average of 18% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NH)
# Schools
6 Schools
508 Schools
# Students
2,440 Students
165,155 Students
# Teachers
225 Teachers
14,445 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Portsmouth School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 189 school districts in New Hampshire (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has decreased from 97% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#22 out of 189 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
36%
Graduation Rate
95%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.37
0.32
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
6%
3%
% Hispanic
6%
8%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
79%
82%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $22,971 is higher than the state median of $22,075. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,000 is higher than the state median of $21,293. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$56 MM
$3,646 MM
Spending
$56 MM
$3,517 MM
Revenue / Student
$22,971
$22,075
Spending / Student
$23,000
$21,293
Best Portsmouth School District Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
New Franklin School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Franklin Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-0910
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-0910
Grades: K-5
| 256 students
Rank: #22.
Little Harbour School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
50 Clough Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-1708
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-1708
Grades: K-5
| 335 students
Rank: #33.
Mary C. Dondero Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
32 Van Buren Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-2231
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-2231
Grades: K-5
| 337 students
Rank: #44.
Portsmouth High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
50 Andrew Jarvis Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-7100
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-7100
Grades: 9-13
| 1,022 students
Rank: #55.
Portsmouth Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
155 Parrott Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-5781
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-5781
Grades: 6-8
| 472 students
Rank: n/an/a
50 Clough Dr.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 422-8228
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 422-8228
Grades: PK
| 18 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Portsmouth School District?
Portsmouth School District manages 6 public schools serving 2,440 students.
What is the rank of Portsmouth School District?
Portsmouth School District is ranked #20 out of 189 school districts in New Hampshire (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of New Hampshire school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest graduation rate (Top 20%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth School District?
79% of Portsmouth School District students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Asian, 6% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Portsmouth School District?
Portsmouth School District has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is equal to the New Hampshire state average of 11:1.
What is Portsmouth School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $23,000 is higher than the state median of $21,293. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
