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Average

#425 of 542 schools in ME

Adams School

Elementary School · Castine Public Schools

PO Box 29, Castine, ME 04421

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maine elementary schools

#244 of 337

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Adams School

Adams School serves 54 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in the coastal community of Castine, Maine. This small public elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.0:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where individual attention thrives. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 53rd among Maine's 542 schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel in both core subjects, with 90% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels tested. Adams School draws families from a well-educated community where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area reflects Maine's coastal character, with a median household income of $78,088 and median home values around $413,300, though the community maintains economic diversity with a 15.3% poverty rate.

The school's rural setting in Hancock County offers students access to Maine's natural beauty and small-town values. Castine's historic charm and tight-knit community of approximately 1,289 residents provides an ideal backdrop for this high-performing elementary school, where personalized attention and academic excellence go hand in hand.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Adams School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Adams School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Adams School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)92%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,458

Adams School — Students at Adams School score 90% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 92%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

5.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 83.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 90.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
90%
ELA
90%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.

How Adams School Compares

See how Adams School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in ME
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 29, Castine, ME 04421

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Adams School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sedgwick Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Sedgwick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Penobscot Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Penobscot), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blue Hill Consolidated School (rated 7.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Blue Hill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Castine, see our Castine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Brooksville Elementary School Brooksville 2.1 mi 6.4
Penobscot Elementary School Penobscot 7.0 mi 8.3
Sedgwick Elementary School Sedgwick 7.0 mi 9.6
Searsport District High School Searsport 8.0 mi 6.8
Searsport District Middle School Searsport 8.0 mi 7.7
Searsport Elementary Searsport 8.1 mi 6.8
Islesboro Central School Islesboro 10.3 mi 6.4
Edna Drinkwater School Northport 8.9 mi 4.7
BUCKSPORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bucksport 12.6 mi
REACH SCHOOL Bucksport 12.7 mi
G Herbert Jewett School Bucksport 12.8 mi 6.1
Bucksport High School Bucksport 12.9 mi 7.1
Miles Lane School Bucksport 13.1 mi 5.8
Deer Isle-Stonington High Sch Deer Isle 11.8 mi 6.3
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary Sch Deer Isle 11.8 mi 7.2
Bucksport Middle School Bucksport 13.3 mi 6.2
CORNERSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Belfast 10.2 mi 5.9
BLUE HILL HARBOR SCHOOL Blue Hill 10.2 mi 5.3
THE BAY SCHOOL Blue Hill 10.2 mi 5.8
Blue Hill Consolidated School Blue Hill 10.3 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,500

Median Home Value

$557,700

Median Rent

$1,028/mo

Population

1,222

College Educated

75.6%

Homeownership

81.5%

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

21

Community Profile

The community surrounding Adams School has a median household income of $111,500. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $557,700, with a median rent of $1,028/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DAMARISCOTTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Nobleboro, ME 4.9
CENTER FOR TEACHING & LEARNING Edgecomb, ME 5.3
Edmunds Consolidated School Edmunds Township, ME 5.6
Peaks Island School Peaks Island, ME 5.6
Alexander Elementary Alexander, ME 4.5
SEACOAST WALDORF SCHOOL Eliot, ME 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Adams School

What grades does Adams School serve?

Adams School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Adams School?

Adams School has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Adams School?

The student-teacher ratio at Adams School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Adams School rank in ME?

Adams School is ranked #425 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Adams School's MySchoolScout rating?

Adams School has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Adams School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Adams School has 83.2% math proficiency and 90.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Adams School a charter school?

No, Adams School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Adams School a Title I school?

No, Adams School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Adams School?

5.6% of students at Adams School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (153/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
5.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hancock County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Castine Public Schools
District Enrollment
77
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,792
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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