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Average

#227 of 542 schools in ME

Top 42% 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

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#227 of 542

In Damariscotta

#4 of 5

public schools

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Great Salt Bay Community School

6.6/10

Elementary School in Damariscotta · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nobleboro Central School

7.6/10

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

Damariscotta Montessori School

4.9/10

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

About Great Salt Bay Community School

Great Salt Bay Community School is a public elementary school in Damariscotta, ME, part of Great Salt Bay CSD. Great Salt Bay Community School serves approximately 387 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Great Salt Bay Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #227 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Great Salt Bay Community School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above ME schools
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • ME avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Great Salt Bay Community 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 Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency90% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency89% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,356
Chronic Absenteeism27.1%

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: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2022
Math
88%
ELA
90%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Great Salt Bay Community School Compares

See how Great Salt Bay Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
58th percentile in ME
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.1%

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

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. Bristol Consolidated School (rated 8.4/10, 9.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nobleboro Central School (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wiscasset Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Wiscasset), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Damariscotta, see our Damariscotta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Nobleboro Central School Damariscotta 3.0 mi 7.6
DAMARISCOTTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Nobleboro 3.6 mi 4.9
Miller School Waldoboro 7.3 mi 5.8
Edgecomb Eddy School Edgecomb 7.3 mi 5.9
Bristol Consolidated School Damariscotta 9.7 mi 8.4
CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING Edgecomb 8.2 mi 6.6
CENTER FOR TEACHING & LEARNING Edgecomb 8.2 mi 5.3
Wiscasset Elementary School Wiscasset 8.0 mi 7.1
Wiscasset Middle/High School Wiscasset 8.3 mi 6.4
Jefferson Village School Damariscotta 11.6 mi 7.0
South Bristol Elementary School Damariscotta 12.3 mi 6.2
Friendship Village School Friendship 9.6 mi 6.8
Whitefield Elementary School Whitefield 13.4 mi 7.1
Medomak Middle School Waldoboro 11.3 mi 6.7
Boothbay Region High School Boothbay Harbor 13.7 mi 7.3
Boothbay Region Elem School Boothbay Harbor 13.7 mi 5.9
Medomak Valley High School Waldoboro 11.4 mi 6.1
MAINE COAST SEMESTER AT CHEWONKI Wiscasset 12.5 mi 7.5
CHEWONKI ELEM/MIDDLE SCHOOL & MAINE COAST SEMESTER Wiscasset 12.5 mi 7.3
Dresden Elementary School Dresden 13.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Acton Elementary School Acton, ME 6.5
Center Drive School Orrington, ME 6.5
Coastal Ridge Elementary York, ME 6.5
Fort Kent Elementary School Fort Kent, ME 6.5
Hall-Dale Elementary Sch Hallowell, ME 6.5
Mary Snow School Bangor, ME 6.5

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 ranks #227 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Great Salt Bay Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Great Salt Bay Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Great Salt Bay Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Great Salt Bay Community School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.1%

District

Great Salt Bay CSD
District Enrollment
387
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,356
District Rank
#1 of 1

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