Thorntons Ferry School

Summary:

Thorntons Ferry School is an elementary school in Merrimack, New Hampshire, serving 541 students from pre-kindergarten to 4th grade. The school is part of the Merrimack School District, which is ranked 53 out of 163 school districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

Thorntons Ferry School stands out for its strong academic performance, with students scoring higher than the state average in both mathematics and reading proficiency. The school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.8 to 13.1 over the past three years, and a low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which is significantly lower than nearby Ledge Street School. However, the school's statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, suggesting potential challenges in maintaining its performance compared to other schools in New Hampshire.

Compared to nearby schools, Thorntons Ferry School outperforms James Mastricola Elementary School in both mathematics and reading proficiency, but lags behind the higher-performing Griffin Memorial School in Litchfield. Additionally, Thorntons Ferry School has a significantly less diverse student population, with a much higher percentage of white students compared to the nearby Nashua School District schools, which could be an area of focus for the school to ensure an inclusive and equitable learning environment.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

 134 Camp Sargent Rd.
       Merrimack, NH  03054-4700


(603) 889-1577

District: Merrimack School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
97th of 234 New Hampshire Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,791 Help


Students who attend Thorntons Ferry School usually attend:

Middle:    James Mastricola Upper Elementary School
    Merrimack Middle School
High:    Merrimack High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.0 Help
Number of students:  535

Racial breakdown:

White:
86.5%
Two or more races:
6.9%
Hispanic:
3.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  9.5% Help


 See top rated New Hampshire elementary schools

 Compare Thorntons Ferry School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Thorntons Ferry School ranks better than 58.5% of elementary schools in New Hampshire. It also ranks last among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Merrimack School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 57.1. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Thorntons Ferry School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Merrimack School District. Racial makeup is: White (86.5%), two or more races (6.9%), Hispanic (3.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 9.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Merrimack School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Thorntons Ferry School is 13. 1 elementary schools in the Merrimack School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Thorntons Ferry School employs 41 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Thorntons Ferry School is $17,791, which is the highest among 3 elementary schools in the Merrimack School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Thorntons Ferry School:

SchoolDigger ranks Thorntons Ferry School 97th of 234 New Hampshire public elementary schools. (See Thorntons Ferry School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Merrimack School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Merrimack School District 53rd of 163 New Hampshire school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Thorntons Ferry School?

Rank History for Thorntons Ferry School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Thorntons Ferry School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 78.43 45th 238 81.1%
2007 64.56 90th 237 62.0%
2008 60.27 96th 236 59.3%
2009 58.52 106th 240 55.8%
2010 69.19 68th 242 71.9%
2011 81.47 26th 237 89.0%
2012 83.64 22nd 241 90.9%
2013 64.88 82nd 241 66.0%
2014 54.49 112th 242 53.7%
2015 61.04 76th 206 63.1%
2016 66.42 72nd 244 70.5%
2017 63.80 80th 229 65.1%
2018 59.64 90th 231 61.0%
2019 67.43 64th 231 72.3%
2021 54.24 101st 211 52.1%
2022 42.58 135th 233 42.1%
2023 44.35 140th 237 40.9%
2024 57.10 97th 234 58.5%
See the entire list of New Hampshire Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Thorntons Ferry School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 44.20 32nd 60 46.7%
2022 42.08 35th 59 40.7%
See the entire list of Best New Hampshire Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Thorntons Ferry School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.00 38th 190 80.0%
2019 63.77 60th 192 68.8%
2021 51.98 80th 160 50.0%
2022 45.15 109th 187 41.7%
2023 50.42 95th 193 50.8%
2024 60.09 70th 187 62.6%
See the entire list of Best New Hampshire Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Thorntons Ferry School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.09 108th 195 44.6%
2019 67.21 55th 195 71.8%
2021 54.74 67th 168 60.1%
2022 40.89 120th 194 38.1%
2023 37.04 136th 199 31.7%
2024 49.72 97th 193 49.7%
See the entire list of Best New Hampshire Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Thorntons Ferry School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.10 81st 227 64.3%
2019 72.27 46th 229 79.9%
2021 56.51 88th 209 57.9%
2022 43.45 138th 229 39.7%
2023 46.77 127th 233 45.5%
2024 56.52 101st 228 55.7%
See the entire list of Best New Hampshire Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Hampshire Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Thorntons Ferry School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: New Hampshire Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)
67%

0%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Open Quote My son attends Thorntons Ferry School. The teachers and all staff members I have had contact with have been wonderful. It is a caring and supportive environment. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, June 15, 2012

Open Quote My children are completing 2nd and 3rd grades at Thortons Ferry next week. We relocated to Merrimack 4 years ago from an outstanding school district in Pennsylvania. I was unsure of what to expect from NH public schools. My experience s the last 4 years has exceeded my expectations. The staff has been very professional and wonderful over the years. The school nurse has done an amazing job caring for my children who have severe food allergies. The school does a beautiful job of dealing with peanut allergies. I was very anxious sending my kids to school, but the staff at Thortons Ferry has kept them safe and helped them transition from home to school well. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, January 22, 2010

Open Quote The staff in the front office are very rude!
The school nurse drags parents out of work if their child has a headache (no fever).
They are continually suggesting ADD/ADHD problems with children, even after pediatrician has said NO WAY!
Once this school year is complete, I am pulling my child out of Thortons Ferry and putting them in private school!
This school is a joke! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Thorntons Ferry School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 683 683
1991 629 1 10 3 4 n/a n/a 0 647
1992 627 3 6 2 4 n/a n/a 0 642
1993 641 6 6 4 1 n/a n/a 0 658
1994 639 9 9 6 1 n/a n/a 0 664
1995 677 11 10 6 2 n/a n/a 0 706
1996 677 11 10 6 2 n/a n/a 0 706
1997 714 13 10 4 0 n/a n/a 0 741
1998 753 9 12 4 0 n/a n/a 0 778
1999 787 7 13 4 3 n/a n/a 0 814
2000 782 7 21 8 6 n/a n/a 0 824
2001 758 8 23 5 5 n/a n/a 0 799
2002 687 6 25 10 5 n/a n/a 0 733
2003 687 6 25 10 5 n/a n/a 0 733
2004 658 9 22 12 6 n/a n/a 0 707
2005 485 5 15 9 4 n/a n/a 0 518
2006 542 9 15 7 4 n/a n/a 0 577
2007 540 13 16 13 4 n/a n/a 0 586
2008 503 13 18 12 4 n/a n/a 0 550
2009 478 15 24 19 2 n/a n/a 0 538
2010 489 13 23 13 2 0 0 0 540
2011 471 12 24 13 4 0 0 0 524
2012 452 14 19 18 4 1 0 0 508
2013 411 7 20 17 4 1 0 0 460
2014 404 10 22 24 3 0 0 0 463
2015 381 14 18 23 1 1 0 0 438
2016 396 11 18 18 1 2 1 0 447
2017 431 10 18 18 0 2 6 0 485
2018 464 11 10 14 1 3 13 0 516
2019 477 9 11 9 1 3 18 0 528
2020 509 7 16 6 1 2 27 0 568
2021 454 1 12 4 2 1 32 0 506
2022 462 3 14 16 3 1 32 0 531
2023 470 4 13 16 3 0 35 0 541
2024 463 5 8 19 3 0 37 0 535

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Thorntons Ferry School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 683 41.0 16.6 1.2
1991 647 31.0 20.8 1.9
1992 642 38.0 16.8 2.6
1993 658 37.0 17.8 4.3
1994 664 31.3 21.2 4.8
1995 706 38.3 18.4 4.4
1996 706 38.3 18.4 4.4
1997 741 34.6 21.4 4
1998 778 35.6 21.9 3
1999 814 45.6 17.9 1.6
2000 824 48.0 17.2 5.1
2001 799 49.2 16.2 4.4
2002 733 46.8 15.7 5.3
2003 733 46.8 15.7 5.3
2004 707 47.8 14.8 5.8
2005 518 39.0 13.3 7.3
2006 577 40.0 14.4 5.4
2007 586 39.0 15.0 6.7
2008 550 37.0 14.9 6.2
2009 538 38.0 14.2 6.3
2010 540 37.0 14.5 7.2
2011 524 35.0 14.9 8.6
2012 508 35.5 14.3 8.3
2013 460 33.5 13.7 9.1
2014 463 33.5 13.8 9.3
2015 438 32.0 13.6 11.4
2016 447 34.0 13.1 8.7
2017 485 34.5 14.0 7
2018 516 35.5 14.5 8.5
2019 528 38.0 13.8 9.5
2020 568 38.0 14.9 9.5
2021 506 39.5 12.8 9.3
2022 531 41.0 12.9 7.5
2023 541 41.0 13.1 7.8
2024 535 41.0 13.0 9.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Thorntons Ferry School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 683 41.0 16.6 1.2
1991 647 31.0 20.8 1.9
1992 642 38.0 16.8 2.6
1993 658 37.0 17.8 4.3
1994 664 31.3 21.2 4.8
1995 706 38.3 18.4 4.4
1996 706 38.3 18.4 4.4
1997 741 34.6 21.4 4
1998 778 35.6 21.9 3
1999 814 45.6 17.9 1.6
2000 824 48.0 17.2 5.1
2001 799 49.2 16.2 4.4
2002 733 46.8 15.7 5.3
2003 733 46.8 15.7 5.3
2004 707 47.8 14.8 5.8
2005 518 39.0 13.3 7.3
2006 577 40.0 14.4 5.4
2007 586 39.0 15.0 6.7
2008 550 37.0 14.9 6.2
2009 538 38.0 14.2 6.3
2010 540 37.0 14.5 7.2
2011 524 35.0 14.9 8.6
2012 508 35.5 14.3 8.3
2013 460 33.5 13.7 9.1
2014 463 33.5 13.8 9.3
2015 438 32.0 13.6 11.4
2016 447 34.0 13.1 8.7
2017 485 34.5 14.0 7
2018 516 35.5 14.5 8.5
2019 528 38.0 13.8 9.5
2020 568 38.0 14.9 9.5
2021 506 39.5 12.8 9.3
2022 531 41.0 12.9 7.5
2023 541 41.0 13.1 7.8
2024 535 41.0 13.0 9.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Thorntons Ferry School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $17,791

Data source: New Hampshire Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Thorntons Ferry School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 64th of 231 Elementary schoolsRanks 140th of 237 Elementary schools
 31.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Thorntons Ferry School)7144
 27%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Merrimack School District)7556
 19%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Hampshire)5752
 5%
3rd Grade Reading (Thorntons Ferry School)6648
 18%
   3rd Grade Reading (Merrimack School District)6448
 16%
   3rd Grade Reading (New Hampshire)5246
 6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Thorntons Ferry School)6341
 22%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Merrimack School District)6345
 18%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Hampshire)5251
 1%
4th Grade Reading (Thorntons Ferry School)5352
 1%
   4th Grade Reading (Merrimack School District)5354
 1%
   4th Grade Reading (New Hampshire)5550
 5%
All Grades Mathematics (Thorntons Ferry School)6743
 24%
   All Grades Mathematics (Merrimack School District)5442
 12%
   All Grades Mathematics (New Hampshire)4842
 6%
All Grades Reading (Thorntons Ferry School)5950
 9%
   All Grades Reading (Merrimack School District)5754
 3%
   All Grades Reading (New Hampshire)5652
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students528541
 2.5%
African American94
 55.6%
American Indian13
 200%
Asian1113
 18.2%
Hispanic916
 77.8%
Pacific Islander30
 100%
White477470
 1.5%
Two or More Races1835
 94.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients9.5%7.8%
 1.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Thorntons Ferry School

Thorntons Ferry School ranks 97th of 234 New Hampshire elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 535 students attended Thorntons Ferry School.

Students at Thorntons Ferry School are 87% White, 7% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 1% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Hampshire Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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