Best Public Schools in Maine
Thinking about schools as you plan a move to Maine? Below is a parent-friendly, region-by-region snapshot of public schools and districts that consistently show strong outcomes in statewide ratings and national lists. Use this as a starting point, then visit district sites and tour schools in person. Rankings shift year to year and fit matters as much as scores.
Why Maine Is a Great Choice
Maine offers a quality of life that many people moving in from elsewhere find refreshing:
Outstanding natural beauty and outdoor access — from coastlines to mountains, you’ll find nature at your doorstep.
Community-oriented towns — many places feature smaller populations, strong local identity, and less hustle than big metros.
Excellent school districts (for families) — Several Maine towns are consistently ranked among the state’s top for academic performance, making them very appealing for those moving with children.
Variety of living situations — Whether you want a vibrant coastal town, an inland lakes/riverside location, or a quieter rural setting, Maine delivers wide options.
Four-season living — If you enjoy seasonal change (crisp autumns, snowy winters, blooming springs, warm summers) Maine offers that in abundance.
Southern Coast
Where you’ll find many of Maine’s highest-rated districts, plus short commutes to Portland.
Cape Elizabeth Public Schools — Long regarded as a top district; Cape Elizabeth High regularly appears near the top of statewide high-school lists.
Notable school: Cape Elizabeth High School.Falmouth Public Schools — Strong academics across grades; perennial “A” marks in statewide district comparisons.
Notable school: Falmouth High School.Yarmouth Schools — Frequently listed among Maine’s top districts, with high graduation/college-prep indicators.
Notable schools: Yarmouth High; Yarmouth Elementary (also shows well among elementary rankings).Scarborough Public Schools — Large, well-resourced coastal district; Scarborough High often lands in the statewide top tier.
RSU 21 (Kennebunk/Kennebunkport/Arundel) — Competitive academics and strong elementary performance signals.
Mid Coast
College-town energy, vibrant arts, and strong K-12 options from Brunswick to Camden.
Brunswick School Department — Consistent district performance; Bowdoin College adjacency boosts enrichment.
RSU 5 (Freeport/Pownal/Durham) — Sought-after mid-coast district with solid outcomes and college-readiness stats.
MSAD 28 / Five Town CSD (Camden-Rockport & Camden Hills) — Camden Hills Regional High routinely ranks among Maine’s stronger public high schools.
RSU 1 (Bath/West Bath/Arrowsic/Phippsburg) — Newer facilities (e.g., Morse High) and improving indicators across grade bands.
Acadia & Down East
Small, close-knit districts with access to world-class parks and science learning.
AOS 91 (Mount Desert Island region) — Elementary schools like Mt. Desert Elementary and Pemetic show well on statewide lists; MDI High offers robust AP and experiential learning.
RSU 24 (Ellsworth & Surrounding) — Regional hub with comprehensive course offerings and steady performance trends
Western Mountains
Ski towns, outdoor-first lifestyles—and notable recent high-school gains.
MSAD 44 (Bethel/Newry/Greenwood/Andover) — Telstar High School earned a top-5 spot in Maine in the latest U.S. News reporting cycle, reflecting strong recent momentum.
Regional/Rural Western Districts — Compare multi-year trends in graduation, math/ELA proficiency, and subgroup growth using the Maine DOE dashboard to find the best fit by town.
Northern Maine
Rural scale with standout specialized options.
Maine School of Science & Mathematics (Limestone) — Statewide magnet long recognized among Maine’s (and historically, the nation’s) elite STEM public high schools. (Selective admission; residential.)
RSU 89 (Katahdin region) — Katahdin Middle/High School surged in the statewide U.S. News list, reflecting notable growth.