Maine
State K-12 public school system overview
Maine operates a moderately sized K-12 public education system serving 166,182 students across 205 school districts and 588 schools. The state maintains a relatively high number of districts relative to enrollment, reflecting its geographic distribution and local governance structure. The teaching workforce consists of 14,944 educators, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 11:1, which falls within typical national ranges.
The student population reflects Maine's demographic composition, with the state experiencing lower enrollment diversity compared to many other states. Maine's population remains predominantly non-Hispanic white, though exact percentages of demographic breakdowns were not specified in available data. The state has experienced gradual enrollment changes in recent years consistent with broader regional demographic trends.
Academic outcomes indicate mixed performance across subject areas. Reading proficiency stands at 64.2% of students meeting state standards, positioning Maine near typical state averages. Mathematics proficiency, at 50.0%, reflects a lower performance level in this subject relative to reading. The graduation rate of 86.4% exceeds the national average, indicating relatively strong completion rates across the state's districts. Per-pupil spending averages $12,106 annually, slightly below the national median, reflecting Maine's lower cost of living relative to many states.
Maine employs state-specific accountability and assessment frameworks through its standardized testing program, though detailed current assessment specifications were not provided in the available data. The state's educational governance emphasizes local district control while maintaining state standards and assessments for accountability purposes. Variations in outcomes across Maine's 205 districts suggest notable differences in resources, capacity, and student achievement depending on geographic location and district characteristics.
This summary was generated by AI from public data sources. Last updated May 6, 2026.
This data is aggregated from state and federal public datasets. While we believe it is accurate, we always recommend confirming it on the corresponding state or federal site. See Data Notes for more.
Total Students
166K
Districts
205
Schools
588
Teachers
14.9K
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,106
Total Budget
N/A
State Overview
Demographics
Academic Performance
Finance Overview
District Distribution
By Size
By Location
Career & Technical Education
7,406 total CTE participants (2023-2024)
ESSA Accountability Data
ESSA Support Status Distribution
Distribution of districts by ESSA accountability designation
ELA Proficiency Distribution
Maine Through Year Assessment - At/Above State Expectations
Math Proficiency Distribution
Maine Through Year Assessment - At/Above State Expectations
Chronic Absenteeism
Statewide average of students missing 10%+ of school days
Maine ESSA Accountability uses six indicators: Academic Achievement, Academic Progress, Chronic Absenteeism, English Learner Progress, 4-Year Graduation Rate, and Extended-Year Graduation Rate. Schools are identified for support based on overall performance and performance of student subgroups.
Source: Maine Department of Education ESSA Dashboard, 2024-25 School Year