Best Schools in Sanford, Maine
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Sanford?
Use this page to compare every school in Sanford by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Margaret Chase Smith
Elementary · Sanford Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sanford Pride Elementary School
Elementary · Sanford Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Thomas Consolidated School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Sanford for 2026 are Margaret Chase Smith (8.6/10), Sanford Pride Elementary School (7.9/10), and St Thomas Consolidated School (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$259,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$259,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Sanford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margaret Chase Smith | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Sanford Pride Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | St Thomas Consolidated School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Sanford High School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Sanford Middle School | 4.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $69,135
- Median home value
- $259,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Sanford compares
Maine rank
#30 of 72
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Maine avg (6.2)
Median household income
$69k
97% of Maine median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Sanford, Maine
Sanford, Maine is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Sanford show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Sanford is Margaret Chase Smith with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Sanford is served by 1 school district: Sanford Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 3,265 students.
Sanford's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,135. The poverty rate in the area is 10.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 439 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 378 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.9 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Thomas Consolidated School
Private
129 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 2 | 6 students · Pre-K–4th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 923 students · 5th–8th | 4.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,099 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
Schools in Sanford
Sanford, Maine · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,135
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$1,145/mo
Population
17,385
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Community Profile
Sanford has a median household income of $69,135. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Maine
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Sanford, Maine
How many schools are in Sanford, Maine?
Sanford has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Sanford, Maine?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Sanford is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Sanford, Maine?
The top-ranked school in Sanford on MySchoolScout is Margaret Chase Smith with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Sanford, Maine?
The top-ranked elementary school in Sanford on MySchoolScout is Margaret Chase Smith with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Sanford, Maine?
The top-ranked middle school in Sanford on MySchoolScout is Sanford Middle School with a composite score of 4.1/10.
What is the best high school in Sanford, Maine?
The top-ranked high school in Sanford on MySchoolScout is Sanford High School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
How many school districts serve Sanford, Maine?
Sanford is served by 1 school district: Sanford Public Schools.
What is the education level in Sanford, Maine?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Sanford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Sanford, Maine?
The median household income in Sanford is approximately $69,135 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Sanford, Maine?
Yes, Sanford has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Thomas Consolidated School with a score of 5.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sanford, Maine?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sanford is 11.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Sanford, Maine?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Maine Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.