Excellent
#12 of 542 schools in ME
Top 2% in state
Bowdoin Central School
Elementary School · RSU 75/MSAD 75
1460 Main Street, Bowdoin, ME 04287
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maine elementary schools
#9 of 337
In district
#1 of 7
RSU 75/MSAD 75
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Bowdoin Central School
Bowdoin Central School is a public elementary school in Bowdoin, ME, part of the RSU 75/MSAD 75. The school serves approximately 197 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 98th percentile among ME schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 77% proficiency in math and 74% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $78,238, where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 197 students, Bowdoin Central 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.
Located in a rural area, Bowdoin Central 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
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Bowdoin Central School — Students at Bowdoin Central School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 9.1/10.
How Bowdoin Central School Compares
See how Bowdoin Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 97.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
1460 Main Street, Bowdoin, ME 04287
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bowdoin Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Bath School (rated 8.9/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby West Bath), with a very similar rating. Another option is Williams-Cone School (rated 8.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Topsham), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bowdoinham Community School (rated 7.5/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Bowdoinham), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bowdoin, see our Bowdoin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bowdoinham Community School Bowdoinham | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Mt Ararat Middle School Topsham | 5.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Mt Ararat High School Topsham | 6.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Williams-Cone School Topsham | 7.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Woodside Elementary School Topsham | 7.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Libby-Tozier School Litchfield | 7.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Carrie Ricker School Litchfield | 7.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Kate Furbish Elementary School Brunswick | 7.9 mi | 6.6 |
| CHOP POINT SCHOOL Woolwich | 6.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brunswick | 8.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary Brunswick | 8.6 mi | 5.5 |
| West Bath School West Bath | 8.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Brunswick Jr High School Brunswick | 9.1 mi | 7.2 |
| PATHWAYS MERRY MEETING CENTER Brunswick | 9.2 mi | — |
| Philip W Sugg Middle School Lisbon Falls | 6.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Lisbon High School Lisbon Falls | 6.9 mi | 6.5 |
| LISBON FALLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lisbon Falls | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Lisbon Community School Lisbon | 7.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Morse High School Bath | 9.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Bath Middle School Bath | 9.3 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04287 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,238
Median Home Value
$257,300
Population
3,180
College Educated
32.8%
Homeownership
86.7%
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
44.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bowdoin Central School has a median household income of $78,238. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,300. The local poverty rate of 9.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| Ames Elementary School Searsmont, ME | 8.8 |
| Manchester Elementary School Manchester, ME | 9.0 |
| Thomaston Grammar School Thomaston, ME | 9.2 |
| Acadia Academy School Lewiston, ME | 8.3 |
| Lyman Elementary School Lyman, ME | 8.2 |
| Williams-Cone School Topsham, ME | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bowdoin Central School
What grades does Bowdoin Central School serve?
Bowdoin Central School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bowdoin Central School?
Bowdoin Central School has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowdoin Central School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bowdoin Central School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bowdoin Central School rank in ME?
Bowdoin Central School is ranked #12 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Bowdoin Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowdoin Central School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Bowdoin Central School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowdoin Central School has 77.2% math proficiency and 73.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bowdoin Central School a charter school?
No, Bowdoin Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bowdoin Central School a Title I school?
No, Bowdoin Central School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowdoin Central School?
26.9% of students at Bowdoin Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 197
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Sagadahoc County
- Phone
- (207) 666-5779
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 75/MSAD 75- District Enrollment
- 2,342
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,828
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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