Excellent
#25 of 542 schools in ME
Top 4% in state
Ames Elementary School
Elementary School · RSU 71
165 New England Road, Searsmont, ME 04973
Enrollment
129
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
2nd – 5th
Enrollment
129
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
2nd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maine schools
#25 of 542
In district
#1 of 7
RSU 71
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Ames Elementary School
Elementary School in Searsmont · grades 2nd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gladys Weymouth Elem School
5.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Walker Memorial School
5.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ames Elementary School
Ames Elementary School is a public elementary school in Searsmont, ME, part of RSU 71. Ames Elementary School serves approximately 129 students, and covers grades 2nd-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Ames Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #25 of 542 schools in ME.
Structured state assessment records for Ames Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2022).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 6.4
- ME avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 129 students, Ames Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Ames Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
31% of students at Ames Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ames Elementary School — Students at Ames Elementary School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 16 test records from ME state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.7/10.
How Ames Elementary School Compares
See how Ames Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
165 New England Road, Searsmont, ME 04973
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ames Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Prescott Memorial School (rated 8.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Appleton Village School (rated 8.0/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Appleton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Union Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Union), a more accessible option. For more schools in Searsmont, see our Searsmont schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gladys Weymouth Elem School Morrill | 5.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Walker Memorial School Liberty | 5.7 mi | 2.0 |
| Appleton Village School Appleton | 7.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Lincolnville Central School Lincolnville | 7.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Hope Elementary School Hope | 10.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Union Elementary Union | 11.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Troy A Howard Middle School Belfast | 9.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Mt View High School Thorndike | 12.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Mt View Middle School Thorndike | 12.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Mt View Elementary School Thorndike | 12.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Belfast Area High School Belfast | 10.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast | 9.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Morse Memorial School Brooks | 13.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Prescott Memorial School Washington | 11.0 mi | 8.8 |
| CORNERSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Belfast | 10.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ASHWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Rockport | 13.2 mi | 7.1 |
| WAYFINDER SCHOOLS Camden | 12.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Camden-Rockport Middle School Camden | 12.7 mi | 7.1 |
| East Belfast School Belfast | 10.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Camden Hills Regional H S Rockport | 13.6 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04973 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,192
Median Home Value
$259,900
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
1,494
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
92.1%
Avg Commute
23.7 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
43.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dedham School Dedham, ME | 8.6 |
| Harrington Elementary School Harrington, ME | 8.3 |
| Shapleigh Memorial School Shapleigh, ME | 8.3 |
| Prescott Memorial School Washington, ME | 8.8 |
| Cape Cod Hill Elem School New Sharon, ME | 8.1 |
| Cherryfield Elementary Cherryfield, ME | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ames Elementary School
What grades does Ames Elementary School serve?
Ames Elementary School serves students in grades 2nd through 5th.
How many students attend Ames Elementary School?
Ames Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 129 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ames Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ames Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ames Elementary School rank in ME?
Ames Elementary School ranks #25 of 542 schools in ME.
What is Ames Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ames Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ames Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ames Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2022).
Is Ames Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ames Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ames Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ames Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ames Elementary School?
43.4% of students at Ames Elementary 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 129
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Waldo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.0%
- Phone
- (207) 342-5100
Resources & Links
District
RSU 71- District Enrollment
- 1,418
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,807
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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