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Very Good

#177 of 542 schools in ME

Top 33% 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

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#177 of 542

In district

#2 of 7

RSU 75/MSAD 75

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Bowdoin Central School

7.0/10

Elementary School in Bowdoin · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bowdoinham Community School

6.6/10

2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mt Ararat Middle School

5.8/10

5.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bowdoin Central School

Bowdoin Central School is a public elementary school in Bowdoin, ME, part of RSU 75/MSAD 75. Bowdoin Central School serves approximately 197 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowdoin Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #177 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Bowdoin Central School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.2
  • ME avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 197 students, Bowdoin Central 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.

Bowdoin Central 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency92% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)85% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,828
Chronic Absenteeism13.7%

Bowdoin Central School — Students at Bowdoin Central School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 66.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Bowdoin Central School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
68th percentile in ME
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

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 9.7/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby West Bath), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kate Furbish Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Brunswick), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Brunswick), with a very similar rating. 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 6.6
Mt Ararat Middle School Topsham 5.9 mi 5.8
Mt Ararat High School Topsham 6.3 mi 7.5
Williams-Cone School Topsham 7.0 mi 5.5
Woodside Elementary School Topsham 7.0 mi 5.4
Libby-Tozier School Litchfield 7.2 mi 4.9
Carrie Ricker School Litchfield 7.3 mi 4.2
Kate Furbish Elementary School Brunswick 7.9 mi 7.4
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 7.3
West Bath School West Bath 8.3 mi 9.7
Brunswick Jr High School Brunswick 9.1 mi 6.8
PATHWAYS MERRY MEETING CENTER Brunswick 9.2 mi
Philip W Sugg Middle School Lisbon Falls 6.9 mi 5.5
Lisbon High School Lisbon Falls 6.9 mi 6.3
LISBON FALLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lisbon Falls 7.2 mi 5.6
Lisbon Community School Lisbon 7.5 mi 3.2
Morse High School Bath 9.3 mi 7.3
Bath Middle School Bath 9.3 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast, ME 7.0
Jefferson Village School Damariscotta, ME 7.0
Dike-Newell School Bath, ME 7.1
Fort Street School Mars Hill, ME 6.9
Milo Elementary School Milo, ME 7.1
Presumpscot School Portland, ME 6.9

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 ranks #177 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Bowdoin Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowdoin Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Bowdoin Central School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bowdoin Central School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

District

RSU 75/MSAD 75
District Enrollment
2,342
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,828
District Rank
#2 of 7

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