Best private high schools in Maine
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Maine using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. Highview Christian Academy
- Location: Charleston, ME
- Enrollment: 50 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#29. Windham Christian Academy
- Location: Windham, ME
- Enrollment: 69 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#28. Lee Academy
- Location: Lee, ME
- Enrollment: 179 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#27. Greater Houlton Christian Academy
- Location: Houlton, ME
- Enrollment: 108 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#26. Chop Point School
- Location: Woolwich, ME
- Enrollment: 68 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#25. Greater Portland Christian School
- Location: South Portland, ME
- Enrollment: 130 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#24. George Stevens Academy
- Location: Blue Hill, ME
- Enrollment: 331 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#23. Bridgton Academy
- Location: North Bridgton, ME
- Enrollment: 155 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#22. Maine Central Institute
- Location: Pittsfield, ME
- Enrollment: 400 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#21. Maine Coast Waldorf School
- Location: Freeport, ME
- Enrollment: 254 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#20. Foxcroft Academy
- Location: Dover Foxcroft, ME
- Enrollment: 416 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#19. Fryeburg Academy
- Location: Fryeburg, ME
- Enrollment: 654 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#18. Lincoln Academy
- Location: Newcastle, ME
- Enrollment: 581 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#17. Oxford Hills Christian Academy
- Location: South Paris, ME
- Enrollment: 48 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#16. Open Door Christian Academy
- Location: Lisbon, ME
- Enrollment: 75 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#15. Thornton Academy
- Location: Saco, ME
- Enrollment: 1,420 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#14. Saint Dominic Academy
- Location: Auburn, ME
- Enrollment: 476 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#13. The New School
- Location: Kennebunk, ME
- Enrollment: 32 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#12. Pine Tree Academy
- Location: Freeport, ME
- Enrollment: 112 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#11. Cheverus High School
- Location: Portland, ME
- Enrollment: 361 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#10. John Bapst Memorial High School
- Location: Bangor, ME
- Enrollment: 487 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#9. Watershed School
- Location: Camden, ME
- Enrollment: 24 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#8. North Yarmouth Academy
- Location: Yarmouth, ME
- Enrollment: 394 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#7. Carrabassett Valley Academy
- Location: Carrabassett Valley, ME
- Enrollment: 106 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#6. Hebron Academy
- Location: Hebron, ME
- Enrollment: 214 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#5. Berwick Academy
- Location: South Berwick, ME
- Enrollment: 540 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Hyde School
- Location: Bath, ME
- Enrollment: 123 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Gould Academy
- Location: Bethel, ME
- Enrollment: 191 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Waynflete
- Location: Portland, ME
- Enrollment: 579 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Kents Hill School
- Location: Kents Hill, ME
- Enrollment: 240 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.