Joyseulay // Shutterstock
1 / 25#25. Erskine Academy
- Location: South China, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 558 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B-
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 2027 rankings from Niche. Online schools were not included. Niche uses 10 weighted factors for its rankings, including: college enrollment, culture and diversity, parent/student surveys, top enrolled colleges, and student-teacher ratio. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
You may also like: Valentine's Day gifting trends in Maine, according to Instacart data
LStockStudio // Shutterstock
2 / 25#24. Bangor Christian Schools
- Location: Bangor, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 308 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
3 / 25#23. Washington Academy
- Location: East Machias, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 328 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B
Studio KIWI // Shutterstock
4 / 25#22. George Stevens Academy
- Location: Blue Hill, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 230 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
5 / 25#21. Penobscot Christian School
- Location: Bangor, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 150 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+
You may also like: Most commonly hunted migratory birds in Maine
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
6 / 25#20. Greater Portland Christian School
- Location: South Portland, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 138 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+
Achira22 // Shutterstock
7 / 25#19. Foxcroft Academy
- Location: Dover Foxcroft, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 403 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
8 / 25#18. Lincoln Academy
- Location: Newcastle, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 585 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
9 / 25#17. Thornton Academy
- Location: Saco, ME
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 1,571 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
10 / 25#16. Saint Dominic Academy
- Location: Auburn, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 473 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-
You may also like: Maine ranks #16 for youth mental health. Here's what parents need to know.
LBeddoe // Shutterstock
11 / 25#15. Maine Coast Waldorf School
- Location: Freeport, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 254 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
12 / 25#14. Pine Tree Academy
- Location: Freeport, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 149 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
Daniel Hoz // Shutterstock
13 / 25#13. Hyde School
- Location: Bath, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 111 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
panitanphoto // Shutterstock
14 / 25#12. Cheverus High School
- Location: Portland, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 386 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
Roman Kosolapov // Shutterstock
15 / 25#11. John Bapst Memorial High School
- Location: Bangor, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 509 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
You may also like: Best high schools in Maine
sirtravelalot // Shutterstock
16 / 25#10. Berwick Academy
- Location: South Berwick, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 544 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
ImageFlow // Shutterstock
17 / 25#9. North Yarmouth Academy
- Location: Yarmouth, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 383 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
18 / 25#8. Bridgton Academy
- Location: North Bridgton, ME
- Grades: 12
- Enrollment: 155 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
19 / 25#7. Maine Central Institute
- Location: Pittsfield, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 316 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
20 / 25#6. Fryeburg Academy
- Location: Fryeburg, ME
- Grades: 8-12
- Enrollment: 708 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
You may also like: Counties with the most pre-war homes in Maine
Anna Jurkovska // Shutterstock
21 / 25#5. Hebron Academy
- Location: Hebron, ME
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 214 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
maroke // Shutterstock
22 / 25#4. Gould Academy
- Location: Bethel, ME
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 230 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
Mircea Moira // Shutterstock
23 / 25#3. Carrabassett Valley Academy
- Location: Carrabassett Valley, ME
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 100 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
24 / 25#2. Kents Hill School
- Location: Kents Hill, ME
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 218 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
maroke // Shutterstock
25 / 25#1. Waynflete School
- Location: Portland, ME
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 575 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
You may also like: Highest-earning counties in Maine
