Best school districts in Maine
A good school can lead to a lifetime of opportunities. Myriad data shows that lifetime earnings dramatically increase with every degree obtained. Bachelor's degree holders will earn an average of roughly $26,000 more each year than high school graduates. And for those who decide that pursuing a college degree is not the best postsecondary option, a good school will provide students with the tools and support to make that choice, and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.
For many families, the school district is a top criteria when deciding where to buy a home. But this consideration and ability to choose is not a luxury all families can afford, especially in today's wildly competitive housing market.
One important proxy of a quality education is per-student spending. According to the most recent Census data available, the national average per-pupil expenditure in fiscal year 2019 was $13,187. Several recent studies suggest that increased spending per student correlates with higher academic achievement, particularly in districts serving predominantly low-income students. Since public schools are largely funded by property taxes, schools in low-income areas suffer the most from a lack of funding for critical expenditures like staff salaries and benefits, transportation, instructional resources, and support services.
There are more than 13,000 school districts in the U.S., each one slightly different, for better or worse, than the next. However, several common denominators exist and, when compared, can serve as indicators of what makes an impactful district.
Stacker compiled a list of the best school districts in Maine using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks school districts based on a variety of criteria including academics (SAT/ACT scores and state proficiency tests), teacher salaries, expenses per student, and access to extracurricular activities.
#10. Islesboro Public Schools (Islesboro)
- Number of schools: 1 (85 students)
- Graduation rate: No data available (55% reading proficient and 45% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $52,381 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
#9. Regional School Unit No. 05 (MSAD 05) (Freeport)
- Number of schools: 6 (2,014 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (70% reading proficient and 55% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $59,321 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
#8. Brunswick Public Schools (Brunswick)
- Number of schools: 4 (2,422 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (63% reading proficient and 44% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $61,465 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
#7. Regional School Unit No. 51 (MSAD 51) (Cumberland)
- Number of schools: 4 (2,129 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (81% reading proficient and 65% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $67,390 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
#6. Regional School Unit No. 21 (MSAD 21) (Kennebunk)
- Number of schools: 6 (2,623 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (74% reading proficient and 57% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $62,278 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
#5. Regional School Unit No. 26 (MSAD 26) (Orono)
- Number of schools: 3 (791 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (69% reading proficient and 55% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $56,883 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
#4. Falmouth Public Schools (Falmouth)
- Number of schools: 3 (2,091 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (81% reading proficient and 66% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $68,891 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
#3. Scarborough Public Schools (Scarborough)
- Number of schools: 6 (2,997 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (75% reading proficient and 54% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $71,710 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
#2. Cape Elizabeth Public Schools (Cape Elizabeth)
- Number of schools: 3 (1,576 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (82% reading proficient and 67% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $80,660 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
#1. Yarmouth Schools (Yarmouth)
- Number of schools: 4 (1,698 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (79% reading proficient and 66% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $76,051 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
