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Needs Improvement

#527 of 542 schools in ME

Caribou Community School

Elementary School · RSU 39

24 Bennett Dr, Caribou, ME 04736

Enrollment

773

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Caribou

#2 of 2

public schools

Maine elementary schools

#324 of 337

In district

#2 of 2

RSU 39

About Caribou Community School

Caribou Community School serves students in grades pre-K through 8 in Caribou, Maine, a remote rural community in Aroostoak County. With 773 students and 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, allowing for personalized attention in classrooms. Academically, the school has room for growth.

Math proficiency averages 83% across grades, while ELA/Reading proficiency averages 82%, indicating that most students are meeting grade-level standards in core subjects. The school's overall academic performance ranks in the lower portion of Maine schools statewide, positioning it as a school focused on continued student development and improvement. Located at 24 Bennett Drive, Caribou Community School serves as an important educational anchor in its remote rural setting, providing comprehensive K-8 education to families in the Caribou area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Caribou Community 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 Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,915

Caribou Community School — Students at Caribou Community School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2022
Math
85%
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: 1.7/10.

How Caribou Community School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in ME
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

24 Bennett Dr, Caribou, ME 04736

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Caribou Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dawn F Barnes Elementary Sch (rated 8.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Caswell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Van Buren Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Van Buren), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Connor Consolidated School (rated 7.1/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Connor Twp), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Caribou, see our Caribou schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Caribou High School Caribou 1.3 mi 6.6
Woodland Consolidated Sch Woodland 5.1 mi 6.4
Connor Consolidated School Connor Twp 7.7 mi 7.1
Washburn District High School Washburn 8.5 mi 5.1
Washburn District Elem School Washburn 8.6 mi 4.5
Presque Isle Middle School Presque Isle 11.3 mi 7.5
OPPORTUNITY TRAINING CENTER Presque Isle 12.2 mi 4.6
Eva Hoyt Zippel School Presque Isle 12.2 mi 5.8
Presque Isle High School Presque Isle 12.3 mi 6.1
Limestone Community School Limestone 8.9 mi 3.1
ME Sch of Science & Mathematics Limestone 8.9 mi 9.5
Pine Street Elementary School Presque Isle 13.2 mi 4.3
Fort Fairfield Middle/High School Fort Fairfield 10.3 mi 6.6
Fort Fairfield Elementary School Fort Fairfield 10.5 mi 5.8
Dawn F Barnes Elementary Sch Caswell 11.9 mi 8.6
Mapleton Elementary School Mapleton 14.3 mi 5.9
Easton Junior-Senior High Sch Easton 16.0 mi 8.5
Easton Elementary School Easton 16.1 mi 4.4
Van Buren District Secondary Sch Van Buren 20.8 mi 7.3
Van Buren Elementary School Van Buren 20.8 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04736 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,189

Median Home Value

$125,300

Median Rent

$696/mo

Population

9,107

College Educated

25.8%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

50.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Caribou Community School has a median household income of $56,189. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,300, with a median rent of $696/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Montello School Lewiston, ME 3.4
Buxton Center Elementary School Buxton, ME 4.3
Lisbon Community School Lisbon, ME 4.4
Robert V. Connors Elementary School Lewiston, ME 2.4
George J Mitchell School Waterville, ME 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Caribou Community School

What grades does Caribou Community School serve?

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

How many students attend Caribou Community School?

Caribou Community School has an enrollment of approximately 773 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Caribou Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Caribou Community School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Caribou Community School rank in ME?

Caribou Community School is ranked #527 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Caribou Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Caribou Community School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Caribou Community School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Caribou Community School has 83.0% math proficiency and 82.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Caribou Community School a charter school?

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

Is Caribou Community School a Title I school?

No, Caribou Community School is not currently a Title I school.

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

48.3% of students at Caribou Community 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 (132/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Aroostook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 39
District Enrollment
1,213
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,075
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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