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

Free/Reduced Lunch
N/AThis data is either not available at a state or per-district level, or will be added in the future.
English Language Learners
N/AThis data is either not available at a state or per-district level, or will be added in the future.
Students with Disabilities
N/AThis data is either not available at a state or per-district level, or will be added in the future.

Academic Performance

Math Proficiency
50.0%
Reading Proficiency
64.2%
Graduation Rate
86.4%

Finance Overview

Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$12,106
Spending Range
N/AThis data is either not available at a state or per-district level, or will be added in the future.

District Distribution

By Size

Large (10K+)
0
Medium (3K-10K)
8
Small (<3K)
197

By Location

City
8
Suburb
20
Town
25
Rural
152

Career & Technical Education

7,406 total CTE participants (2023-2024)

Secondary
Transportation
1,153
Architecture
1,115
Manufacturing
1,011
Health
949
Hospitality
748
Human
587
Arts
541
Law
441
Top 3: Transportation, Architecture, ManufacturingSource: U.S. Dept. of Education (Perkins V)

ESSA Accountability Data

Districts with Assessment Data
154 / 205
Avg ELA Proficiency
64.2%
Avg Math Proficiency
50.0%
Avg Graduation Rate
86.4%

ESSA Support Status Distribution

77
73
39
CSI (Comprehensive): 16
ATSI (Additional): 77
TSI (Targeted): 73
Not Identified: 39

Distribution of districts by ESSA accountability designation

ELA Proficiency Distribution

67
80
High (65%+): 67
Average (50-65%): 80
Below Average (<50%): 7

Maine Through Year Assessment - At/Above State Expectations

Math Proficiency Distribution

20
45
81
High (65%+): 20
Average (50-65%): 45
Below Average (<50%): 81

Maine Through Year Assessment - At/Above State Expectations

Chronic Absenteeism

24.3%

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

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