For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 7,934 students in Belknap County, NH (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,015 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Belknap County, NH are educated in public schools (compared to the NH state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Belknap County, NH are Gilmanton Elementary School, Gilford High School and Gilford Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Belknap County, NH public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the New Hampshire public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Belknap County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Hampshire public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Hampshire public school average of 18% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Belknap County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gilmanton Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1386 Nh Rte. 140
Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837
(603) 364-5681
Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837
(603) 364-5681
Gr: K-8 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Gilford High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
88 Alvah Wilson Rd.
Gilford, NH 03249
(603) 524-7135
Gilford, NH 03249
(603) 524-7135
Gr: 9-13 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Gilford Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
76 Belknap Mountain Rd.
Gilford, NH 03249
(603) 524-1661
Gilford, NH 03249
(603) 524-1661
Gr: K-4 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
New Hampton Community School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
191 Main St.
New Hampton, NH 03256
(603) 744-3221
New Hampton, NH 03256
(603) 744-3221
Gr: K-5 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Inter-lakes High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Laker Ln.
Meredith, NH 03253
(603) 279-6162
Meredith, NH 03253
(603) 279-6162
Gr: 9-13 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Sanbornton Central School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16 Hunkins Pond Rd.
Sanbornton, NH 03269
(603) 286-8223
Sanbornton, NH 03269
(603) 286-8223
Gr: K-4 | 177 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Gilford Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
72 Alvah Wilson Rd.
Gilford, NH 03249
(603) 527-2460
Gilford, NH 03249
(603) 527-2460
Gr: 5-8 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Prospect Mountain High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
242 Suncook Valley Rd.
Alton, NH 03809
(603) 875-3800
Alton, NH 03809
(603) 875-3800
Gr: 9-13 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Elm Street School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
478 Elm St.
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-4113
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-4113
Gr: PK-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Inter-lakes Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1 Laker Ln
Meredith, NH 03253
(603) 279-6162
Meredith, NH 03253
(603) 279-6162
Gr: 7-8 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Inter-lakes Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
21 Laker Ln
Meredith, NH 03253
(603) 279-7968
Meredith, NH 03253
(603) 279-7968
Gr: PK-6 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1212.
Belmont Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
38 School St.
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-9220
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-9220
Gr: 5-8 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
Belmont High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
255 Seavey Rd.
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-6525
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-6525
Gr: 9-12 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
26 Best St.
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-6568
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-6568
Gr: PK-4 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Southwick School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
50 Zion Hill Rd.
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-3611
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-3611
Gr: K-4 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1616.
Winnisquam Regional Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
76 Winter St.
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-7143
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-7143
Gr: 5-8 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Alton Central School Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
41 School St.
Alton, NH 03809
(603) 875-7500
Alton, NH 03809
(603) 875-7500
Gr: PK-8 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Pleasant Street School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
350 Pleasant St.
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-2168
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-2168
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1919.
Woodland Heights Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
225 Winter St. Ext.
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-8733
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-8733
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2020.
Winnisquam Regional High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
435 W. Main St.
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-4531
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-4531
Gr: 9-12 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2121.
Laconia High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
345 Union Ave.
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-3350
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-3350
Gr: 9-13 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2222.
Barnstead Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
91 Maple St.
Center Barnstead, NH 03225
(603) 269-5161
Center Barnstead, NH 03225
(603) 269-5161
Gr: PK-8 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #2323.
Laconia Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
150 Mcgrath St.
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-4632
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-4632
Gr: 6-8 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2424.
Compass Classical Academy Charter School (E)
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5 Elm Street
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 729-3370
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 729-3370
Gr: PK-8 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
Compass Classical Academy Charter School (H)
Charter School
5 Elm Street
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 729-3370
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 729-3370
Gr: 9-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
435 W. Main Street
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-4531
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-4531
Gr: PK | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Belknap County, NH?
The top-ranked public schools in Belknap County, NH include Gilmanton Elementary School, Gilford High School and Gilford Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Belknap County?
26 public schools are located in Belknap County.
What percentage of students in Belknap County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Belknap County are educated in public schools (compared to the NH state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Belknap County?
Belknap County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Hampshire public schools average of 18% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Belknap County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Belknap County include: Belmont High School vs. Gilford High School, Gilford High School vs. Belmont High School, Inter-lakes High School vs. Gilford High School
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