| Metric | Oyster River Cooperative School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 2,146 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $23,769/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 35% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Top 10% in NH |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oyster River Cooperative School District (this district) | 10/10 | 94th | 2,146 |
| Newmarket School District | 8/10 | 75th | 970 |
| Dover School District | 5/10 | 49th | 3,778 |
| Exeter Regional Cooperative School District | 9/10 | 83rd | 2,406 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 75 rated districts in NH → 94th percentile → 10/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- Oyster River Middle School — 1.5 mi · Grades 5–8 · 585 students
- Oyster River High School — 1.7 mi · Grades 9–12 · 825 students
- Oyster River Preschool Education Program — 1.7 mi · Grades PK–PK · 30 students
- Moharimet School — 3.6 mi · Grades K–4 · 309 students
- Mast Way School — 4.5 mi · Grades K–4 · 348 students
About Oyster River Cooperative School District
Oyster River Cooperative School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 03824 in Durham, New Hampshire. Serving students from Pre-K – 13th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 03824. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Oyster River Cooperative School District ranks among New Hampshire’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New Hampshire is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Oyster River Cooperative School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in New Hampshire on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 03824 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 03824
Children in zip code 03824 are assigned to Oyster River Cooperative School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 03824, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Oyster River Cooperative School District at (603)868-5100 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New Hampshire districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Durham
For families considering a purchase in the Durham area, district assignment matters financially. Because Oyster River Cooperative School District serves zip code 03824, homes in and around zip code 03824 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New Hampshire, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Oyster River Cooperative School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 03824.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Oyster River Cooperative School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 03824 data.