2 Elder
Newmarket, NH 03857

I am deeply concerned by my experiences with the administrative staff at this school, particularly in the context of special education and disability protections.Rather than evaluating students based on their individual needs, the administration repeatedly compares students with disabilities to “average” peers, which is inconsistent with both IDEA and Section 504. Federal law requires individualized consideration—not normalization against nondisabled students—yet this distinction is routinely ignored.Administrative staff are frequently confrontational and verbally combative in tone. They regularly misstate or oversimplify federal special education law and attempt to substitute school board policy where federal protections should control. During our district-to-district transfer, I observed repeated instances where IEP language was interpreted in a way that benefited the district administratively rather than the student educationally.Despite repeated assurances that they are “looking forward to collaborating,” collaboration in practice appears to mean that decisions are made unilaterally, often before Written Prior Notice is issued and sometimes before relevant medical documentation is even reviewed. Parents’ input and licensed medical providers’ recommendations are routinely minimized or dismissed, which undermines meaningful parental participation.There have also been numerous procedural violations, including improper handling and timing of Written Prior Notices, exclusionary meeting practices, and actions taken prior to legally required notice. These are not minor technical errors—they directly impact a child’s access to services and protections.Parents should be aware that advocating here requires constant vigilance, legal knowledge, and documentation. Families seeking a truly collaborative, legally compliant, and welcoming special education environment may find this school extremely challenging to work with.

I've had two students in this district; one has a learning disability, the other is typically developing. It is like they were in completely different schools, despite being in the same building and having the same teachers. My typically developing child received a wonderful education and was always treated fairly and respectfully. I was well-informed about this child's progress; this child was appropriately challenged in areas of strength and supported when occasional difficulties arose. It was a complete 180 for my child with a learning disability. Administration failed to acknowledge the educational significance of their medical diagnosis and educational testing results, kept me in the dark about progress, failed to inform teachers about educational challenges and needs, and instead of providing needed support, alternated between blaming my child for poor academic performance and inflating grades to make performance look higher than it actually was. I know from talking to other parents that my family's experience is far from unique. If your child is high performing this district may be fine for them; if your child has any kind of learning challenge, do not send them here.

Good experience and think things have definitely improved from last review this ever received. Everything can turn around eventually with some effort.