The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in Math. The lowest is 47% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on South Range Elementary School
South Range Elementary School sits in Derry, a predominantly residential suburban town in Rockingham County with a compact historic downtown at the crossroads of two state routes near its western border. Derry was once a linen and leather-making center and a farming community before a postwar suburban boom, fueled by proximity to Boston and Manchester and the construction of Interstate 93, turned it into a bedroom community. Today it ranks among the most populous municipalities in New Hampshire. The town's growth has largely plateaued since the late 1990s, with population figures holding steady in recent census counts. Civic life centers on the Adams Memorial Building, home of the Derry Opera House, a converted train depot commercial hub, and the Robert Frost Farm, a National Historic Landmark. A former Boston and Maine Railroad line has been converted into the Rockingham Recreational Trail, and there is no passenger rail service in town. The nearest airport is Manchester-Boston Regional.
South Range is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade, part of the Derry Cooperative School District. Its enrollment is moderate for an elementary school in this grade band, with class sizes distributed fairly evenly across the six grades. The student body is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic presence and a smaller share of students identifying as two or more races. The proportion of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is low relative to many New Hampshire schools. Data on individualized education programs and English learner status was not reported, so those population sizes are unknown here.
On New Hampshire state assessments, South Range's results are mixed across grades and subjects. Third-grade math proficiency is the strongest showing, with a solid majority of tested students scoring proficient or above. Fourth-grade math drops to a lower level, with fewer than half of tested students reaching proficiency. English language arts results follow a similar pattern: third grade sits just below the halfway mark, and fourth grade lands slightly below that. Fifth-grade science, tested in a prior school year, shows a slim majority proficient. Participation rates are high across all tested grades and subjects. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say whether these results represent improvement, decline, or stability. The school does not have a graduation rate or AP or career-pathway data, which is expected for an elementary school serving only grades through five. We looked for discipline, staffing, attendance, and course-access information but found none reported.
No neighbor comparison or county-level positioning data was provided for this school, so it is difficult to place South Range's academic results against nearby peers. A parent may want to ask the school or district how these proficiency levels compare to state and district averages and what supports are in place for fourth-grade math and English language arts, where results are weakest.
Within the Derry Cooperative School District, a recent structural change affects families. West Running Brook was reconfigured from a middle school to an intermediate school serving grades five and six, opening in that configuration in July 2024. This means South Range fifth-graders now feed into a different school for their next step than families may have expected in prior years, and the transition point has shifted. The district has not published other parent-relevant changes in the available materials.
The housing market around South Range reflects Derry's position as a desirable suburb. Typical home values in the school's zip code are above the state benchmark and well above the national benchmark, with modest year-over-year appreciation. Rents are also elevated relative to national norms. The county-level market shows strong demand and tightening supply, with homes moving quickly and listing activity high. A home price-to-income ratio near six suggests that buying here requires a substantial income, and estimated monthly mortgage costs exceed typical rent by a meaningful margin. For families considering a move to this school zone, housing costs are a real factor in the decision.
South Range presents a quiet elementary pathway in an established suburb. Its third-grade math results are a clear strength, its fourth-grade results in both math and reading are softer, and its science results are middle-of-the-road. The community itself offers parks, libraries, trails, and cultural resources, with the trade-off of high housing costs and no commuter rail. For families already in Derry or able to manage the housing market, it is a school where asking direct questions about grade-to-grade consistency and support for the upper elementary years would be worthwhile.
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