State district guide

New Hampshire public school districts

Compare district systems across New Hampshire by enrollment scale, school count, county context, generated guide coverage, and the parent checks that matter before choosing where to live.

View county rankings Find a school

Direct answer for parents

What this district ranking can and cannot tell you

If you are searching for the best school districts in New Hampshire, start with the largest and most data-rich district systems below, then verify the specific school assigned to each address. SchoolsByCounty orders districts by reported enrollment and school count because those fields are consistent in NCES. It does not convert district size into a quality rating.

Start with scale

Manchester School District

12,063 reported students

Check county context

Grafton County

80/100 county score

Verify locally

Address fit

Attendance boundaries and transfers are not in NCES

District table

Largest public school districts in New Hampshire

The first 60 rows show the largest district systems by reported enrollment. Open district guides where available, or use the county profile when a detailed district page is not generated yet.

197 districts in state file

New Hampshire public school districts ranked by reported enrollment.
Rank	District	County context	Students	Schools	Parent lens
1	Manchester School District LEA ID 3304590 Hillsborough County21 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	12,063	21	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
2	Nashua School District LEA ID 3304980 Hillsborough County20 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	9,928	20	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
3	Bedford School District LEA ID 3301740 Hillsborough County6 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	4,161	6	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
4	Londonderry School District LEA ID 3304410 Rockingham County6 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	4,117	6	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
5	Concord School District LEA ID 3302460 Merrimack County7 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	4,025	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
6	Rochester School District LEA ID 3305940 Strafford County11 schools	Strafford County 57/100 county score	3,891	11	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
7	Dover School District LEA ID 3302640 Strafford County5 schools	Strafford County 57/100 county score	3,743	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
8	Salem School District LEA ID 3306060 Rockingham County8 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	3,607	8	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
9	Merrimack School District LEA ID 3304740 Hillsborough County6 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	3,561	6	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
10	Timberlane Regional School District LEA ID 3306720 Rockingham County7 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	3,312	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Open district guide
11	Derry Cooperative School District LEA ID 3302610 Rockingham County8 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	3,124	8	elementary, middle school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
12	Pinkerton Academy School District LEA ID 3307360 Rockingham County1 school	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	3,060	1	high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
13	Hudson School District LEA ID 3303930 Hillsborough County7 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	3,056	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
14	Keene School District LEA ID 3304050 Cheshire County7 schools	Cheshire County 71/100 county score	3,044	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
15	Windham School District LEA ID 3307170 Rockingham County4 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	3,009	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
16	Goffstown School District LEA ID 3303240 Hillsborough County5 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	2,766	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
17	Portsmouth School District LEA ID 3305820 Rockingham County6 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	2,482	6	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
18	Exeter Region Cooperative School District LEA ID 3300017 Rockingham County2 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	2,398	2	middle, high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
19	Merrimack Valley School District LEA ID 3304760 Merrimack County7 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	2,226	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
20	Oyster River Coop School District LEA ID 3305520 Strafford County5 schools	Strafford County 57/100 county score	2,141	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
21	Governor Wentworth Regional School District LEA ID 3303330 Carroll County8 schools	Carroll County 78/100 county score	2,131	8	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
22	Milford School District LEA ID 3304830 Hillsborough County5 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	2,123	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
23	Contoocook Valley School District LEA ID 3302480 Hillsborough County11 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	1,969	11	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
24	Laconia School District LEA ID 3304140 Belknap County5 schools	Belknap County 56/100 county score	1,828	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
25	Kearsarge Regional School District LEA ID 3304040 Merrimack County7 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	1,728	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
26	Pelham School District LEA ID 3305550 Hillsborough County3 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	1,686	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
27	Bow School District LEA ID 3301950 Merrimack County3 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	1,663	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
28	Claremont School District LEA ID 3302340 Sullivan County6 schools	Sullivan County 63/100 county score	1,649	6	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
29	Lebanon School District LEA ID 3304230 Grafton County4 schools	Grafton County 80/100 county score	1,631	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
30	Monadnock Regional School District LEA ID 3304890 Cheshire County7 schools	Cheshire County 71/100 county score	1,621	7	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
31	Conway School District LEA ID 3302490 Carroll County5 schools	Carroll County 78/100 county score	1,540	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
32	Pembroke School District LEA ID 3305580 Merrimack County3 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	1,431	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
33	Fall Mountain Regional School District LEA ID 3302990 Sullivan County12 schools	Sullivan County 63/100 county score	1,418	12	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
34	Sanborn Regional School District LEA ID 3306080 Rockingham County4 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	1,395	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
35	Amherst School District LEA ID 3301470 Hillsborough County2 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	1,347	2	elementary, middle school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
36	Somersworth School District LEA ID 3306240 Strafford County4 schools	Strafford County 57/100 county score	1,328	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
37	Winnisquam Regional School District LEA ID 3307300 Merrimack County5 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	1,296	5	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
38	Hooksett School District LEA ID 3303870 Merrimack County3 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	1,251	3	elementary, middle school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
39	Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District LEA ID 3304030 Cheshire County4 schools	Cheshire County 71/100 county score	1,233	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
40	Litchfield School District LEA ID 3304350 Hillsborough County3 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	1,204	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
41	Raymond School District LEA ID 3305880 Rockingham County4 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	1,171	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
42	Newfound Area School District LEA ID 3305220 Grafton County6 schools	Grafton County 80/100 county score	1,167	6	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
43	Shaker Regional School District LEA ID 3306180 Belknap County4 schools	Belknap County 56/100 county score	1,161	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
44	Hollis-Brookline Cooperative School District LEA ID 3303850 Hillsborough County2 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	1,139	2	middle, high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
45	Gilford School District LEA ID 3303180 Belknap County3 schools	Belknap County 56/100 county score	1,126	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
46	Mascoma Valley Regional School District LEA ID 3304680 Grafton County4 schools	Grafton County 80/100 county score	1,090	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
47	Winnacunnet Cooperative School District LEA ID 3307230 Rockingham County1 school	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	1,063	1	high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
48	Hillsboro-Deering Cooperative School District LEA ID 3303750 Hillsborough County3 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	1,044	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
49	Dresden School District LEA ID 3302670 Grafton County2 schools	Grafton County 80/100 county score	1,014	2	middle, high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
50	Berlin School District LEA ID 3301860 Coos County3 schools	Coos County 57/100 county score	1,010	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
51	White Mountains Regional School District LEA ID 3307050 Coos County3 schools	Coos County 57/100 county score	970	3	elementary, high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
52	Newmarket School District LEA ID 3305280 Rockingham County3 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	965	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
53	Barrington School District LEA ID 3301650 Strafford County3 schools	Strafford County 57/100 county score	947	3	elementary, middle school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
54	Hampton School District LEA ID 3303510 Rockingham County3 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	947	3	elementary, middle school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
55	Hopkinton School District LEA ID 3303900 Merrimack County4 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	935	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
56	Franklin School District LEA ID 3303090 Merrimack County3 schools	Merrimack County 62/100 county score	935	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
57	Mascenic Regional School District LEA ID 3304670 Hillsborough County3 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	918	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
58	Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District LEA ID 3303960 Carroll County4 schools	Carroll County 78/100 county score	915	4	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
59	Weare School District LEA ID 3306930 Hillsborough County2 schools	Hillsborough County 57/100 county score	897	2	elementary, middle school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet
60	Epping School District LEA ID 3302880 Rockingham County3 schools	Rockingham County 79/100 county score	882	3	Elementary, middle, and high school records No charter, magnet, or virtual flags reported Detailed guide not generated yet

— = enrollment not reported in the district record. District rows are informational and must be paired with local assignment tools before a housing decision.

Methodology

How to use district rankings without overreading them

District-level data is useful because it shows the operating system around a public school search: how many schools exist, which county record anchors the district, how much enrollment is reported, and whether a detailed district guide is available. It is not enough to decide where a student should enroll.

Ranking basis

Rows are ordered by reported enrollment, then school count. The method favors broad, data-rich systems because those are the districts parents most often need to research before relocation.

County context

Each district is attached to a primary county record when available. County school scores are context signals, not district ratings, and nearby counties can still matter for commute and housing decisions.

Grade pathway

Elementary, middle, and high school counts help parents spot whether a district looks like a full K-12 pathway or a narrower operating unit. Feeder patterns still require local verification.

Address verification

The final decision happens at the address level. Confirm attendance zones, open-enrollment rules, magnet admissions, charter lotteries, and transfer windows with official district sources.

County context

Districts anchored in higher-scoring county contexts

These rows pair district records with the county-level SchoolsByCounty score. Treat this as a shortlist for deeper research, not a district quality ranking.

Lebanon School District

Grafton County

Students: 1,631
Schools: 4

Newfound Area School District

Grafton County

Students: 1,167
Schools: 6

Mascoma Valley Regional School District

Grafton County

Students: 1,090
Schools: 4

Dresden School District

Grafton County

Students: 1,014
Schools: 2

Haverhill Cooperative School District

Grafton County

Students: 653
Schools: 3

Littleton School District

Grafton County

Students: 652
Schools: 3

Parent checklist before relying on a district ranking

Use this page to narrow the field, then answer these local questions before treating any district as a fit for a specific home.

Which school does this address actually feed into?

Use the district address lookup and confirm edge cases near attendance-zone borders.

What happens at transition grades?

A strong elementary fit can split into several middle or high school paths.

Are choice programs realistic for this student?

Magnet, charter, virtual, and transfer options can involve lotteries, applications, or deadlines.

Is the county context aligned with housing tradeoffs?

Pair school research with taxes, commute, home prices, and safety before choosing where to live.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Hampshire School Districts

What are the best school districts in New Hampshire?

Manchester School District, Nashua School District, Bedford School District are the largest New Hampshire district systems by reported enrollment in the NCES file. SchoolsByCounty does not call them the best districts; use this page to find data-rich district systems, then verify assigned schools, program rules, and local fit.

How are New Hampshire districts ranked here?

Districts are ordered by reported student enrollment, then school count, using NCES public school district records. This is a research-priority ranking, not a quality rating.

Why do only 10 New Hampshire districts have district guide links?

SchoolsByCounty statically generates detailed district guides for the largest district systems nationally so the pages stay fast and substantive. Districts without guide links remain represented through county and state context pages.

Do these district pages show attendance boundaries?

No. Attendance zones, transfer rules, magnet eligibility, charter admission, transportation, and program availability must be verified with official district or local assignment tools before choosing a home.

Does a large district mean better schools?

No. Larger districts usually have more school options and more public data, but enrollment size is not a school-quality measure. Compare school-level records and official local sources before treating a district as a fit.

How many districts are included for New Hampshire?

This page includes 197 New Hampshire public school districts from the current NCES district file, alongside county context and generated district-guide availability where available.

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorPublished Jun 9, 2026

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.

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