Strafford County Schools & Education
Strafford County, New Hampshire
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
57/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
84.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.2%
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,471
National avg $13,239
State avg $12,649
School Score
57/100
Higher = better
State avg 66/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#9
of 10 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Strafford County
School Verdict
Strafford County has average school quality (score: 57/100) with a graduation rate of 84.0%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Strafford County spends $11,471 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Strafford County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% below the New Hampshire average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 3.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Strafford County, New Hampshire
A Broad Educational Network in Strafford County
Strafford County manages a robust network of 39 public schools across 11 districts, serving 14,488 total students. The infrastructure supports a diverse age range with 24 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 7 high schools.
Investment and Academic Results
The county's 84% graduation rate sits below the New Hampshire state average of 87.2% and the national benchmark of 87%. Local districts invest $11,471 per pupil, which is lower than the state’s average expenditure of $12,649.
Rochester and Dover Lead the Way
Rochester School District is the county's largest with 11 schools and 3,891 students, while Dover School District follows with 3,743 students. One charter school operates within the county, representing 2.6% of the total public school options.
Suburban Focus with Scalable Learning
Education here has a suburban feel, with 28 schools in suburban locales and 11 in rural settings. While the average school size is 371 students, enrollment varies significantly between smaller rural sites and the 1,505-student Dover Senior High School.
Building a Future in Strafford Districts
Families seeking a balance of suburban convenience and established schools should explore the diverse housing options near Dover and Rochester. School performance and investment continue to be key drivers for home buyers in this growing region.
School Overview
Total Schools
39
in Strafford County
Total Enrollment
14,488
students
School Districts
11
districts
Charter Schools
1
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
11 School Districts in Strafford County
Rochester School District
Dover School District
Oyster River Coop School District
Somersworth School District
Barrington School District
Farmington School District
Milton School District
Strafford School District
Seacoast Charter School
Middleton School District
39 Public Schools in Strafford County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover Senior High School | Dover School District | 9–12 | High | 1,505 |
| Spaulding High School | Rochester School District | 9–12 | High | 1,301 |
| Dover Middle School | Dover School District | 5–8 | Middle | 1,018 |
| Rochester Middle School | Rochester School District | 6–8 | Middle | 847 |
| Oyster River High School | Oyster River Coop School District | 9–UG | High | 844 |
| Oyster River Middle School | Oyster River Coop School District | 5–8 | Middle | 643 |
| Woodman Park School | Dover School District | PK–4 | Primary | 436 |
| Barrington Elementary School | Barrington School District | 1–4 | Primary | 424 |
| Strafford School | Strafford School District | PK–8 | Primary | 403 |
| Somersworth High School | Somersworth School District | 9–12 | High | 394 |
| Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street | Dover School District | KG–4 | Primary | 393 |
| Garrison School | Dover School District | KG–4 | Primary | 391 |
| Barrington Middle School | Barrington School District | 5–8 | Middle | 382 |
| McClelland School | Rochester School District | KG–5 | Primary | 346 |
| Somersworth Middle School | Somersworth School District | 6–8 | Middle | 342 |
| Mast Way School | Oyster River Coop School District | KG–4 | Primary | 327 |
| Idlehurst Elementary School | Somersworth School District | PK–2 | Primary | 311 |
| Seacoast Charter School | Seacoast Charter School | PK–8 | Charter | 299 |
| Chamberlain Street School | Rochester School District | KG–5 | Primary | 298 |
| Moharimet School | Oyster River Coop School District | KG–4 | Primary | 297 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$11,471
State avg $12,649
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Strafford County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Strafford County?
How much does Strafford County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Strafford County, New Hampshire — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Strafford County, New Hampshire?
Strafford County manages a robust network of 39 public schools across 11 districts, serving 14,488 total students. The infrastructure supports a diverse age range with 24 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 7 high schools.
How do schools in Strafford County perform academically?
The county's 84% graduation rate sits below the New Hampshire state average of 87.2% and the national benchmark of 87%. Local districts invest $11,471 per pupil, which is lower than the state’s average expenditure of $12,649.
What are the major school districts in Strafford County, New Hampshire?
Rochester School District is the county's largest with 11 schools and 3,891 students, while Dover School District follows with 3,743 students. One charter school operates within the county, representing 2.6% of the total public school options.
What is the school experience like in Strafford County?
Education here has a suburban feel, with 28 schools in suburban locales and 11 in rural settings. While the average school size is 371 students, enrollment varies significantly between smaller rural sites and the 1,505-student Dover Senior High School.
How can I find homes near good schools in Strafford County, New Hampshire?
Families seeking a balance of suburban convenience and established schools should explore the diverse housing options near Dover and Rochester. School performance and investment continue to be key drivers for home buyers in this growing region.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.