For the 2026 school year, there are 43 public schools serving 8,971 students in Cheshire County, NH (there are 17 private schools, serving 1,154 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Cheshire County, NH are educated in public schools (compared to the NH state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cheshire County, NH are North Walpole School, Symonds Elementary School and Nelson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cheshire County, NH public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the New Hampshire public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cheshire County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Hampshire public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Hampshire public school average of 18% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cheshire County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
North Walpole School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
17 Cray Rd.
North Walpole, NH 03609
(603) 445-5450
North Walpole, NH 03609
(603) 445-5450
Gr: 2-4 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Symonds Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
79 Park Ave.
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-3405
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-3405
Gr: K-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
441 Granite Lake Rd.
Nelson, NH 03457
(603) 847-3408
Nelson, NH 03457
(603) 847-3408
Gr: K-5 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Alstead Primary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
58 Mechanic St.
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-2482
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-2482
Gr: PK-4 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Walpole Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8 Bemis Ln.
Walpole, NH 03608
(603) 756-4728
Walpole, NH 03608
(603) 756-4728
Gr: 5-8 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Gilsum Steam Academy
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
640 Route 10
Gilsum, NH 03448
(603) 352-2226
Gilsum, NH 03448
(603) 352-2226
Gr: K-6 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Jaffrey Grade School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
18 School St.
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603) 532-8355
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603) 532-8355
Gr: PK-5 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Chesterfield Central School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
535 Old Chesterfield Rd.
Chesterfield, NH 03443
(603) 363-8301
Chesterfield, NH 03443
(603) 363-8301
Gr: K-8 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Sarah Porter School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
111 Village Rd.
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-2260
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-2260
Gr: 1-4 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1010.
Fuller Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
422 Elm St.
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-1245
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-1245
Gr: K-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1111.
Making Community Connections Charter School - Monadnock
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
310 Marlboro St., #115
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 283-0844
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 283-0844
Gr: 9-12 | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1212.
Vilas Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
82 Mechanic St.
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-6351
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-6351
Gr: 5-8 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
Westmoreland School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
40 Glebe Rd.
Westmoreland, NH 03467
(603) 399-4421
Westmoreland, NH 03467
(603) 399-4421
Gr: K-8 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1414.
Surry Village Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
449 Route 12a
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 357-9700
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 357-9700
Gr: K-8 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1515.
Conant Middle High School (H)
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3 Conant Way
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603) 532-8131
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603) 532-8131
Gr: 9-12 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1616.
John D. Perkins Academy
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
919 Nh Rte 10
Marlow, NH 03456
(603) 446-3307
Marlow, NH 03456
(603) 446-3307
Gr: PK-6 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Rindge Memorial School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
58 School St.
Rindge, NH 03461
(603) 899-3363
Rindge, NH 03461
(603) 899-3363
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Wells Memorial School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
235 Chesham Rd.
Harrisville, NH 03450
(603) 827-3272
Harrisville, NH 03450
(603) 827-3272
Gr: K-6 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1919.
Keene High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
43 Arch St.
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-0640
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-0640
Gr: 9-12 | 1,288 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2020.
James Faulkner Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 School St.
Stoddard, NH 03464
(603) 446-3348
Stoddard, NH 03464
(603) 446-3348
Gr: K-5 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2121.
Monadnock Regional High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
580 Old Homestead Hwy
Swanzey, NH 03446
(603) 352-6575
Swanzey, NH 03446
(603) 352-6575
Gr: 9-12 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #2222.
Gathering Waters Charter School (E)
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
98 South Lincoln Street
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 733-8701
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 733-8701
Gr: K-8 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2323.
Dublin Consolidated School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1177 Main St
Dublin, NH 03444
(603) 563-8332
Dublin, NH 03444
(603) 563-8332
Gr: K-5 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #2424.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
217 Washington St.
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-1712
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-1712
Gr: K-5 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2525.
Dr. George S. Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
27 Rhododendron Rd.
Fitzwilliam, NH 03447
(603) 585-6611
Fitzwilliam, NH 03447
(603) 585-6611
Gr: PK-6 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2626.
Cutler Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
31 S. Winchester St.
Swanzey, NH 03446
(603) 352-3383
Swanzey, NH 03446
(603) 352-3383
Gr: 3-6 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2727.
Fall Mountain Regional High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
134 Fmrhs Rd
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-6318
Alstead, NH 03602
(603) 835-6318
Gr: 9-12 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #2828.
Wheelock Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
24 Adams St.
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-2244
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 352-2244
Gr: K-5 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2929.
Hinsdale High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
49 School St.
Hinsdale, NH 03451
(603) 336-5984
Hinsdale, NH 03451
(603) 336-5984
Gr: 9-12 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3030.
Conant Middle High School (M)
(Math: 25% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1 Conant Way
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603) 532-8122
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603) 532-8122
Gr: 6-8 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3131.
Troy Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
44 School St.
Troy, NH 03465
(603) 242-7741
Troy, NH 03465
(603) 242-7741
Gr: PK-6 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3232.
Hinsdale Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
12 School St.
Hinsdale, NH 03451
(603) 336-5332
Hinsdale, NH 03451
(603) 336-5332
Gr: PK-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #3333.
Keene Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
167 Maple Ave.
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 357-9023
Keene, NH 03431
(603) 357-9023
Gr: 6-8 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #3434.
Marlborough Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
41 Fitch Court
Marlborough, NH 03455
(603) 876-4465
Marlborough, NH 03455
(603) 876-4465
Gr: PK-8 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #3535.
Hinsdale Middle High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
49 School St.
Hinsdale, NH 03451
(603) 336-5984
Hinsdale, NH 03451
(603) 336-5984
Gr: 6-8 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Show 8 more public schools in Cheshire County, NH (out of 43 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cheshire County, NH?
The top-ranked public schools in Cheshire County, NH include North Walpole School, Symonds Elementary School and Nelson Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Cheshire County?
43 public schools are located in Cheshire County.
What percentage of students in Cheshire County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Cheshire County are educated in public schools (compared to the NH state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cheshire County?
Cheshire County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Hampshire public schools average of 18% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cheshire County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cheshire County include: Monadnock Regional High School vs. Keene High School, Keene High School vs. Monadnock Regional High School, Rindge Memorial School vs. Jaffrey Grade School
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