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Average

#200 of 542 schools in ME

Top 37% in state

Belfast Area High School

High School · RSU 71

25 Lions Way, Belfast, ME 04915

Enrollment

478

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belfast

#3 of 4

public schools

Maine high schools

#50 of 112

In district

#5 of 7

RSU 71

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Belfast Area High School

Belfast Area High School is a regular public high school located in Belfast, Maine. With an enrollment of 478 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The faculty consists of 40 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their academic journey.

According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, Belfast Area High School ranks at 262 out of 542 schools in Maine, placing it around the 52nd percentile statewide. Academically, students perform well with 77% proficient or above in ELA and Reading, while 67% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores suggest that there is room for academic growth, especially in math.

Belfast Area High School sits comfortably within a small town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+12.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,519

Belfast Area High School — Students at Belfast Area High School score 82% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.0%
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
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
82%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Belfast Area High School Compares

See how Belfast Area High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
63th percentile in ME
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

25 Lions Way, Belfast, ME 04915

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Belfast Area High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ames Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Searsmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Searsport District Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Searsport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Belfast, see our Belfast schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast 0.8 mi 7.5
East Belfast School Belfast 0.9 mi 7.5
Troy A Howard Middle School Belfast 1.2 mi 6.5
CORNERSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Belfast 1.7 mi 5.9
Edna Drinkwater School Northport 3.7 mi 4.7
Kermit S Nickerson School Swanville 6.5 mi 4.3
Searsport Elementary Searsport 5.2 mi 6.8
Searsport District High School Searsport 5.1 mi 6.8
Searsport District Middle School Searsport 5.2 mi 7.7
Gladys Weymouth Elem School Morrill 6.4 mi 7.5
Lincolnville Central School Lincolnville 10.3 mi 7.7
Morse Memorial School Brooks 10.3 mi 5.8
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 12.8 mi 7.8
Islesboro Central School Islesboro 12.1 mi 6.4
Ames Elementary School Searsmont 10.0 mi 8.8
WAYFINDER SCHOOLS Camden 15.1 mi 5.8
Adams School Castine 11.1 mi 5.1
Camden-Rockport Middle School Camden 15.2 mi 7.6
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Camden 15.4 mi
ASHWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Rockport 16.8 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04915 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,083

Median Home Value

$261,900

Median Rent

$1,009/mo

Population

9,030

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

53.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Belfast Area High School has a median household income of $59,083. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,900, with a median rent of $1,009/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Maranacook Community High Sch Readfield, ME 6.7
York High School York, ME 6.7
Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth, ME 6.9
Caribou High School Caribou, ME 6.6
GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY Blue Hill, ME 6.6
Houlton High School Houlton, ME 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belfast Area High School

What grades does Belfast Area High School serve?

Belfast Area High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Belfast Area High School?

Belfast Area High School has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belfast Area High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Belfast Area High School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belfast Area High School rank in ME?

Belfast Area High School is ranked #200 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Belfast Area High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Belfast Area High School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Belfast Area High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belfast Area High School has 67.0% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Belfast Area High School a charter school?

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

Is Belfast Area High School a Title I school?

No, Belfast Area High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belfast Area High School?

40.4% of students at Belfast Area High 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

City Safety
Average (633/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belfast). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Waldo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 71
District Enrollment
1,418
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,807
District Rank
#5 of 7

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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