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Needs Improvement

#518 of 542 schools in ME

Fort O'brien School

Elementary School · Machiasport Public Schools

492 Port Road P.O. Box 37, Machiasport, ME 04655

Enrollment

47

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maine elementary schools

#317 of 337

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Fort O'brien School

Fort O'Brien School is a small, rural elementary school in Machiasport, Maine, located along the scenic coast. Serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 47 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.4:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is quite remote, which means the community feels tight-knit and supportive.

While Fort O'Brien's academic performance currently ranks in the lower percentile statewide, the school focuses on fostering a nurturing environment that supports students' social and emotional development alongside their academics. With 63% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 50% proficiency or above in Math, there is room for growth and improvement. Fort O'Brien School sits in a charming coastal area where community bonds are strong and support for local education initiatives is evident.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 47 students, Fort O'brien 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Fort O'brien School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Fort O'brien 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 Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,128

Fort O'brien School — Students at Fort O'brien School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Fort O'brien School Compares

See how Fort O'brien School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
5th percentile in ME
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

492 Port Road P.O. Box 37, Machiasport, ME 04655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort O'brien School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jonesboro Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Jonesboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beals Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Beals), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sipayik Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Perry), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Machiasport, see our Machiasport schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.4 mi
School Distance Rating
WASHINGTON ACADEMY East Machias 3.2 mi 6.6
Elm Street School-East Machias East Machias 3.6 mi 7.5
Machias Memorial High School Machias 3.9 mi 2.7
Rose M Gaffney School Machias 4.0 mi 5.3
Bay Ridge Elementary Cutler 7.0 mi 7.3
Jonesboro Elementary School Jonesboro 9.5 mi 8.5
Whiting Village School Whiting 13.0 mi
Jonesport-Beals High School Jonesport 14.0 mi 9.2
Jonesport Elementary School Jonesport 14.1 mi 7.9
Edmunds Consolidated School Edmunds Township 16.6 mi 5.6
Beals Elementary School Beals 15.9 mi 8.1
Daniel W Merritt School Addison 15.5 mi 3.4
Pembroke Elementary School Pembroke 19.5 mi 5.9
Charlotte Elementary School Charlotte 22.4 mi
Alexander Elementary Alexander 28.1 mi 4.5
Harrington Elementary School Harrington 21.0 mi 6.0
Sipayik Elementary School Perry 25.2 mi 8.1
Lubec Consolidated School Lubec 23.1 mi 6.0
Perry Elementary School Perry 26.7 mi 6.7
Narraguagus High School Harrington 22.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,188

Median Home Value

$193,300

Median Rent

$1,109/mo

Population

1,001

College Educated

25.1%

Homeownership

76.7%

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

47.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fort O'brien School has a median household income of $52,188. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,300, with a median rent of $1,109/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Creative Childrens Academy Skowhegan, ME 3.9
Moscow Elementary Bingham, ME 3.3
GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houlton, ME 4.3
Kermit S Nickerson School Swanville, ME 4.3
Alexander Elementary Alexander, ME 4.5
Walker Memorial School Liberty, ME 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort O'brien School

What grades does Fort O'brien School serve?

Fort O'brien School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Fort O'brien School?

Fort O'brien School has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort O'brien School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort O'brien School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort O'brien School rank in ME?

Fort O'brien School is ranked #518 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Fort O'brien School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort O'brien School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Fort O'brien School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort O'brien School has 49.7% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fort O'brien School a charter school?

No, Fort O'brien School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fort O'brien School a Title I school?

No, Fort O'brien School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort O'brien School?

42.6% of students at Fort O'brien 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
Average (352/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Machiasport Public Schools
District Enrollment
64
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,714
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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