Where are the best schools in southern NH? (Derry, Londonderry: real estate, sublet)

[Maryjyaya]

Looking to move this summer.

I'm looking for a good middle school and a good high school in southern NH.

Are the people in NH nicer than else where?

[NH2NCMom]

Really not a very good ? at all. Seriously are they nicer than other places? Didn't know there was a meter out there ranking the "niceness" of humans. Hopefully everywhere you go there are nice people, if there aren't did you happen to think to look at what you are portraying? You get what you give.

As far as good schools, there are sooooo many threads in this forum about schools in Southern NH. There are also links to places to find out more technical information about the schools. Try a search and then when you get some more information, try a better question or two and maybe you'll get an informative response.

[GregW]

Londonderry has a very good school system

[SuperSparkle928]

Originally Posted by GregW

Londonderry has a very good school system

Eh....

Pinkerton Academy is excellent, but you at least (on paper) have to show residency in one of several towns that get to go there for free. (Otherwise it is $9000/year, last time I looked). To get better, Phillips Exeter. There are a handful of others.
If you pick MA, I can name about 30.

JMHO

[Maryjyaya]

Originally Posted by NH2NCMom

Really not a very good ? at all. Seriously are they nicer than other places? Didn't know there was a meter out there ranking the "niceness" of humans. Hopefully everywhere you go there are nice people, if there aren't did you happen to think to look at what you are portraying? You get what you give.

As far as good schools, there are sooooo many threads in this forum about schools in Southern NH. There are also links to places to find out more technical information about the schools. Try a search and then when you get some more information, try a better question or two and maybe you'll get an informative response.

This reply is for NH2NCMOM - I thought your reply was rude and off the cuff. If you don't like my reply - well then, "you get what you give".

I've also looked at all the techinical information - I want actual opinions from people who know the area. That's what these types of threads are for.

[Valerie C]

Good Morning. I've been neglecting my City Data lately, haven't I? I've been meaning to respond to a couple of your posts... Anyway, there are some very good schools in southern NH. I would assume that you're looking for public high schools, vs. private? If this is the case, you might well consider one of the towns that tuitions to Pinkerton High School (currently Derry, Chester & Hampstead, and as of school year 2013/2014, Auburn-except by special admission). Other school districts well worth considering are SAU 16 (known as 'The Exeter District', which the aforementioned Phillips Exeter Academy is not part of). There are I believe 12 or 13 other communities that attend Exeter High School-most of these are decidedly rural in nature, which may or may not be to your liking. I can send more information about the district if it would be helpful.

Other towns with highly-recommended high schools are Bedford, Hollis (Brookline), Amherst (Mont Vernon). Timberlane district (Plaistow/Atkinson) doesn't get much mention on these boards, but is very god as well. While Londonderry has traditionally been on the list for excellent education, the last few years we've see test scores slip, and sadly this year we are a District In Need of Improvement. Part of this is due, I believe, to the reputation for having excellent special needs (SPED) programs, and becoming a magnet for families with special needs. There are still plenty of great AP classes, and vast majority of graduates continue to university and other continuing education.

It's hard to say if people in NH are nicer than elsewhere. I think that overall, NH is less flashy than many places. People seem to have less of a need to show off their latest status bling (be it their cars, or teenagers with the shoes, teenage girls with the designer fashions). People in most areas of NH are generally casual in dress and attitude. And less judgmental of others for their political or religious beliefs. Neighbors might not seem as friendly as say, down south, but they're more apt to help you when you need it, and not be as likely to be whispering behind your back.

Similar to the cross-section of people that you find here on this forum: you will find a healthy mix of individuals. Some will be friendly, go out of their way to help others. Some will be neutral "don't bug me and I won't bug you". Others are boastful of their accomplishments, and condescending toward others no matter what the subject is. New England people, and NH in particular, can be very direct, and call it like they see it. That may occasionally be mistaken as being downright cantankerous, especially if you're from an area where people really don't speak their mind. Once you get past that frosty exterior, you'll find real people who are usually just as nice as you. While all these sorts of people can be found anywhere, hopefully this forum will help you to chose an area that will suit your family to a T.

It was noted that Pinkerton (a private academy that serves as the public HS to the communities I mentioned above) has a tuition rate of $9,000, and in the same post, Philips Exeter was recommended. Their tuition rate of $45,315 for boarding students, $34,890 for day students, makes Pinkerton a relative bargain. It's a beautiful campus, and highly regarded. A well-rounded school, good drama, sports and music programs as well. I suggest adding a visit to Pinkerton, for your consideration.

Originally Posted by Maryjyaya

Looking to move this summer.

I'm looking for a good middle school and a good high school in southern NH.

Are the people in NH nicer than else where?

[SuperSparkle928]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Good Morning. I've been neglecting my City Data lately, haven't I? I've been meaning to respond to a couple of your posts... Anyway, there are some very good schools in southern NH. I would assume that you're looking for public high schools, vs. private? If this is the case, you might well consider one of the towns that tuitions to Pinkerton High School (currently Derry, Chester & Hampstead, and as of school year 2013/2014, Auburn-except by special admission). Other school districts well worth considering are SAU 16 (known as 'The Exeter District', which the aforementioned Phillips Exeter Academy is not part of). There are I believe 12 or 13 other communities that attend Exeter High School-most of these are decidedly rural in nature, which may or may not be to your liking. I can send more information about the district if it would be helpful.

Other towns with highly-recommended high schools are Bedford, Hollis (Brookline), Amherst (Mont Vernon). Timberlane district (Plaistow/Atkinson) doesn't get much mention on these boards, but is very god as well. While Londonderry has traditionally been on the list for excellent education, the last few years we've see test scores slip, and sadly this year we are a District In Need of Improvement. Part of this is due, I believe, to the reputation for having excellent special needs (SPED) programs, and becoming a magnet for families with special needs. There are still plenty of great AP classes, and vast majority of graduates continue to university and other continuing education.

It's hard to say if people in NH are nicer than elsewhere. I think that overall, NH is less flashy than many places. People seem to have less of a need to show off their latest status bling (be it their cars, or teenagers with the shoes, teenage girls with the designer fashions). People in most areas of NH are generally casual in dress and attitude. And less judgmental of others for their political or religious beliefs. Neighbors might not seem as friendly as say, down south, but they're more apt to help you when you need it, and not be as likely to be whispering behind your back.

Similar to the cross-section of people that you find here on this forum: you will find a healthy mix of individuals. Some will be friendly, go out of their way to help others. Some will be neutral "don't bug me and I won't bug you". Others are boastful of their accomplishments, and condescending toward others no matter what the subject is. New England people, and NH in particular, can be very direct, and call it like they see it. That may occasionally be mistaken as being downright cantankerous, especially if you're from an area where people really don't speak their mind. Once you get past that frosty exterior, you'll find real people who are usually just as nice as you. While all these sorts of people can be found anywhere, hopefully this forum will help you to chose an area that will suit your family to a T.

Well written.

It was noted that Pinkerton (a private academy that serves as the public HS to the communities I mentioned above) has a tuition rate of $9,000, and in the same post, Philips Exeter was recommended. Their tuition rate of $45,315 for boarding students, $34,890 for day students, makes Pinkerton a relative bargain. It's a beautiful campus, and highly regarded. A well-rounded school, good drama, sports and music programs as well. I suggest adding a visit to Pinkerton, for your consideration.

Not that I am advocating it, nor have any comments on its legality, but as stated, Pinkerton is excellent (been quite a while since I had a student there), but live wherever you want (except MA), rent an apartment in Derry (and sublet it), establish it as your legal residence, and then send your students to Pinkerton for free. Good school, good price.

Also, Valerie, if you think PA Exeter is expensive, wait until time for college, JH is $65K/year. Expensive schools are no longer the exception, they are becoming the norm (to most of our dismay ).

And to answer the other poster's question, yes, NH people are really nice.

[seamusnh]

I have had two kids go through the Amherst NH school system, K to 12, and one kid currently at SHS. The two older ones have very good educational experiences and got into the colleges they wanted and are doing well (a junior and a freshman at college). The current high schooler is doing well.

Many of my friends and relatives in MA send their kids to private school from 7th or 9th grade onward, often at $14k per kid per year. That makes my $10k/year in real estate taxes look like a bargain.

In my area, the schools to look at are in Amherst (includes Mont Vernon, 7 - 12), Hollis (includes Brookline, 9 - 12) and Bedford.

BTW, consider where you have to commute to for work. It is easy to get north south in NH, but east west is not as convenient.

[thebig0]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Other school districts well worth considering are SAU 16 (known as 'The Exeter District', which the aforementioned Phillips Exeter Academy is not part of). There are I believe 12 or 13 other communities that attend Exeter High School-most of these are decidedly rural in nature, which may or may not be to your liking.

FYI Exeter includes: Exeter, Newfileds, Stratham, East Kingston, Brentwood and Kensington

One topic that often gets over looked in these school threads is school choice. There are a few southern new hampshire towns that will allow the cost of a high school education to be put to use at a private school or another public school. $12K per year is a big sum if looking to put your child through PEA for example. Nottingham and Barrington offer school choice and there may be others including south hampton?

Personally, I would go with Strafford if picking a southern new hampshire town for schools alone. The land prices are low, the k - 8 is one of the top rated in state and all the kids go to the highly regarded semi-private coe brown. This is a rural part of the sate though so be prepared to drive 10 mins +/- for any shoopping outside of a convenience store.

[BF66389]

Amherst and Hollis are both regarded as having great schools. We have one individual on here who is very vocally not happy with Hollis schools (or most NH schools for that matter) but many other parents are very happy with them.

As for "niceness"- I'd say it depends. I've found most of the time I have pleasant interactions with other NH residents. Likewise folks seem more sincere. Heck- even some of our more "gruff" neighbors are really nice...they are just gruff.

My only contrast is that in the southeastern US I've found that there is more of a tendency to be very nice to someone; but not sincere.

This is really hard to explain: I wouldn't expect a big welcome wagon when you move into a neighborhood in NH...but when you do meet people expect that relationship to be deeper than just a pie... Likewise your gruff neighbor who looks like Santa Claus and never talks to you- may also be the same person who is plowing your driveway when you are away on business so you can get to the house after returning on a late flight.