Top Rankings
RSU 71 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Maine for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 920 students in RSU 71 School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Maine.
Public Elementary Schools in RSU 71 School District have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Maine public elementary school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 84% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Maine public elementary school average of 15% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (ME)
# Schools
7 Schools
438 Schools
# Students
1,396 Students
112,312 Students
# Teachers
128 Teachers
10,362 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
RSU 71 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 182 school districts in Maine (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#129 out of 189 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
49%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
79%
84%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
37%
Graduation Rate
87%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.20
0.27
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
3%
4%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
89%
85%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,860 is higher than the state median of $21,739. The school district revenue/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $22,821 is higher than the state median of $21,327. The school district spending/student has grown by 28% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$31 MM
$3,617 MM
Spending
$32 MM
$3,549 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,860
$21,739
Spending / Student
$22,821
$21,327
Best RSU 71 School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ames Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
165 New England Road
Searsmont, ME 04973
(207) 342-5100
Searsmont, ME 04973
(207) 342-5100
Gr: 2-5 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Captain Albert W. Stevens School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
31 Elementary Avenue
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3510
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3510
Gr: PK-5 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Kermit S Nickerson School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
18 Townhouse Road
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-1858
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-1858
Gr: 3-5 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Troy A Howard Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
173 Lincolnville Avenue
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3320
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3320
Gr: 6-8 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
14 Swan Lake Avenue
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-4420
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-4420
Gr: PK-2 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
2 South Main Street
Morrill, ME 04952
(207) 342-5300
Morrill, ME 04952
(207) 342-5300
Gr: PK-1 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
