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These are NH’s best middle schools, according to a new report

The Academy for Science and Design Charter School in Nashua has been named New Hampshire’s top middle school by the U.S. News & World Report. 

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The Academy for Science and Design Charter School in Nashua has been named New Hampshire’s top middle school by the U.S. News & World Report. 

This STEM-focused institution leads with high academic performance, including 79% proficiency in math and 81% in reading, alongside a 14:1 student-teacher ratio.

The US News and World Report’s newly released 2025 rankings of the top 25 middle schools in every state evaluated over 59,000 schools nationwide using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The methodology took into account state test scores and student diversity. 

Hanover’s Frances C. Richmond School ranked second, boasting a student population of 360 and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. About 76% of students scored at or above the proficient level in math and 78% scored at or above that level for reading.

Here are the other schools that made the list of the state’s top 25:

Mckelvie Intermediate School in Bedford
Ross A. Lurgio Middle School in Bedford
Rye Junior High School in Rye
North Hampton School in North Hampton
Windham Middle School in Windham
Hollis-Brookline Middle School in Hollis
Portsmouth Middle School in Portsmouth
Oyster River Middle School  in Durham
Nottingham Elementary School in Nottingham
Plymouth Elementary School in Plymouth
Profile Junior High School in Bethlehem
David R. Cawley Middle School in Hooksett
Hampton Academy in Hampton
Sunapee Middle High School in Sunapee
Auburn Village School in Auburn
Greenland Central School in Greenland
Lebanon Middle School in Lebanon
Gilmanton Elementary School in Gilmanton
Daisy Bronson Junior High School in Littleton
Walpole Elementary School in Walpole
Lisbon Regional School (Middle) in Lisbon
Lin-Wood Public School (Middle) in Lincoln
Gilford Middle School in Gilford