Average
#335 of 542 schools in ME
Dirigo Elementary School
Elementary School · RSU 56
117 Auburn Road, Peru, ME 04290
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maine elementary schools
#182 of 337
In district
#2 of 3
RSU 56
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Dirigo Elementary School
Dirigo Elementary School, nestled in the rural community of Peru, Maine, offers a warm and inviting environment for young learners. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 355 students who benefit from a low student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, ensuring personalized attention and support. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their craft, Dirigo Elementary focuses on fostering a strong educational foundation.
Academically, Dirigo Elementary School has an overall MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the 16th percentile among Maine schools. The school's academic score is 2.2 out of 10, with 65% of students proficient or above in ELA/reading and 55% proficient or above in math. These results indicate areas where there is room for growth but also highlight the dedication of teachers to support their students' learning journeys.
The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community feel, with opportunities for children to engage with nature and local traditions. Dirigo Elementary School stands as an integral part of Peru’s educational landscape, nurturing young minds in a supportive and caring environment.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dirigo Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Dirigo Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dirigo Elementary School — Students at Dirigo Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
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: 7.2/10.
How Dirigo Elementary School Compares
See how Dirigo Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
117 Auburn Road, Peru, ME 04290
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dirigo Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rumford Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Rumford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Academy Hill School (rated 7.9/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Wilton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hartford-Sumner Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Sumner), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Peru, see our Peru schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WEBB RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Dixfield | 1.0 mi | — |
| HEZION ACADEMY Peru | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Dirigo High School Dixfield | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| T W Kelly Dirigo Middle School Dixfield | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Mountain Valley Middle School Mexico | 4.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Meroby Elementary School Mexico | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Rumford Elementary Rumford | 5.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Mountain Valley High School Rumford | 5.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Hartford-Sumner Elementary School Sumner | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| FORESTDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bryant Pond | 12.1 mi | — |
| Agnes Gray School West Paris | 14.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Woodstock School Bryant Pond | 12.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Gerald D Cushing School Wilton | 12.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Academy Hill School Wilton | 12.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Buckfield Jr-Sr High School Buckfield | 16.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Spruce Mountain Elementary School Jay | 12.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Spruce Mountain Middle School Jay | 12.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Spruce Mountain High School Jay | 12.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Spruce Mountain Primary School Livermore | 13.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Paris Elementary School Paris | 19.2 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04290 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,500
Median Home Value
$121,400
Median Rent
$723/mo
Population
1,498
College Educated
18.2%
Homeownership
91.5%
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
51.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dirigo Elementary School has a median household income of $67,500. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,400, with a median rent of $723/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairmount School Bangor, ME | 5.9 |
| Harrison Lyseth Elem School Portland, ME | 5.9 |
| Mapleton Elementary School Mapleton, ME | 5.9 |
| ST BRIGID SCHOOL Portland, ME | 5.9 |
| W G Mallett School Farmington, ME | 5.9 |
| Woolwich Central School Woolwich, ME | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dirigo Elementary School
What grades does Dirigo Elementary School serve?
Dirigo Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dirigo Elementary School?
Dirigo Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dirigo Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dirigo Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dirigo Elementary School rank in ME?
Dirigo Elementary School is ranked #335 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Dirigo Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dirigo Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Dirigo Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dirigo Elementary School has 55.3% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dirigo Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dirigo Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dirigo Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dirigo Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dirigo Elementary School?
50.1% of students at Dirigo 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (455/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 355
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Oxford County
- Phone
- (207) 562-4207
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 56- District Enrollment
- 755
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,810
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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