Average
#244 of 542 schools in ME
Top 45% in state
Great Salt Bay Community School
Elementary School · Great Salt Bay CSD
767 Main St. Suite 2, Damariscotta, ME 04543
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Damariscotta
#3 of 5
public schools
Maine elementary schools
#138 of 337
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Great Salt Bay Community School
Great Salt Bay Community School serves 387 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Damariscotta, Maine, offering a comprehensive elementary education with a favorable 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 35 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #107 out of 542 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Maine schools. Students at Great Salt Bay consistently excel in core subjects, with 90% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, and 88% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in mathematics.
These impressive results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across all grade levels. The school draws from a diverse community in Lincoln County, where the median household income is $54,677 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. While the area faces some economic challenges with a 19.8% poverty rate, the school continues to provide quality education to students from varying backgrounds.
Located on Main Street in this remote rural setting, Great Salt Bay Community School serves as an educational anchor for families in the picturesque mid-coast Maine region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Great Salt Bay 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Great Salt Bay Community School — Students at Great Salt Bay Community School score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39%
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: 5.1/10.
How Great Salt Bay Community School Compares
See how Great Salt Bay Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 88% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 90% (2022).
Location
767 Main St. Suite 2, Damariscotta, ME 04543
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Great Salt Bay Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Bristol Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 12.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Friendship Village School (rated 8.3/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Friendship), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wiscasset Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Wiscasset), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Damariscotta, see our Damariscotta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04543 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,659
Median Home Value
$333,000
Median Rent
$974/mo
Population
2,249
College Educated
40.3%
Homeownership
67%
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Great Salt Bay Community School has a median household income of $59,659. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $333,000, with a median rent of $974/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Amanda C Rowe School Portland, ME | 6.4 |
| Conners-Emerson School Bar Harbor, ME | 6.4 |
| Hollis School Hollis, ME | 6.4 |
| Ocean Avenue Portland, ME | 6.4 |
| Sanford Pride Elementary School Sanford, ME | 6.4 |
| Turner Elementary School Turner, ME | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Great Salt Bay Community School
What grades does Great Salt Bay Community School serve?
Great Salt Bay Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Great Salt Bay Community School?
Great Salt Bay Community School has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Great Salt Bay Community School?
The student-teacher ratio at Great Salt Bay Community School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Great Salt Bay Community School rank in ME?
Great Salt Bay Community School is ranked #244 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Great Salt Bay Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
Great Salt Bay Community School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Great Salt Bay Community School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Great Salt Bay Community School has 74.7% math proficiency and 83.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Great Salt Bay Community School a charter school?
No, Great Salt Bay Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Great Salt Bay Community School a Title I school?
No, Great Salt Bay Community School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Great Salt Bay Community School?
39.0% of students at Great Salt Bay 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,344/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Damariscotta). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 387
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (207) 563-3091
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Great Salt Bay CSD- District Enrollment
- 387
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,356
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.