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Very Good

#153 of 542 schools in ME

Top 28% in state

Dirigo Elementary School

Elementary School · RSU 56

117 Auburn Road, Peru, ME 04290

Enrollment

355

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#153 of 542

In district

#2 of 3

RSU 56

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Dirigo Elementary School

7.2/10

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

Webb River Seventh-day Adventist School

Nearby

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

Hezion Academy

5.2/10

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

About Dirigo Elementary School

Dirigo Elementary School is a public elementary school in Peru, ME, part of RSU 56. Dirigo Elementary School serves approximately 355 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dirigo Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #153 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Dirigo Elementary School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above ME schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • ME avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Dirigo Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Dirigo Elementary 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 Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+9.53 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,810
Chronic Absenteeism22.8%

Dirigo Elementary School — Students at Dirigo Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2017-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3% (multi-year average, 2017-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 12 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2017
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
77%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Dirigo Elementary School Compares

See how Dirigo Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in ME
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Academy Hill School (rated 8.0/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Wilton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Spruce Mountain Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Jay), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Woodstock School (rated 6.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Bryant Pond), with a comparable rating. 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 4.8
T W Kelly Dirigo Middle School Dixfield 1.9 mi 7.2
Mountain Valley Middle School Mexico 4.2 mi 5.3
Meroby Elementary School Mexico 4.4 mi 3.2
Rumford Elementary Rumford 5.2 mi 4.0
Mountain Valley High School Rumford 5.9 mi 6.3
Hartford-Sumner Elementary School Sumner 11.6 mi 5.9
FORESTDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bryant Pond 12.1 mi
Agnes Gray School West Paris 14.6 mi 3.5
Woodstock School Bryant Pond 12.7 mi 6.6
Gerald D Cushing School Wilton 12.3 mi 6.2
Academy Hill School Wilton 12.3 mi 8.0
Buckfield Jr-Sr High School Buckfield 16.1 mi 5.3
Spruce Mountain Elementary School Jay 12.5 mi 7.2
Spruce Mountain Middle School Jay 12.7 mi 7.7
Spruce Mountain High School Jay 12.8 mi 5.8
Spruce Mountain Primary School Livermore 13.8 mi 5.3
Paris Elementary School Paris 19.2 mi 2.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cascade Brook School Farmington, ME 7.2
Dr Lewis S Libby School Milford, ME 7.2
Spruce Mountain Elementary School Jay, ME 7.2
Edna Libby Elementary School Standish, ME 7.3
Mast Landing School Freeport, ME 7.3
Yarmouth Elementary School Yarmouth, ME 7.3

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 ranks #153 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Dirigo Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dirigo Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Dirigo Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dirigo Elementary School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

District

RSU 56
District Enrollment
755
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,810
District Rank
#2 of 3

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