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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+11.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency89%
Expected (poverty-adj.)83%
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,138

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%).

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 74.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.0%
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
45%
ELA
68%
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: 5.1/10.

How Great Salt Bay Community School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
55th percentile in ME
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Nobleboro Central School Damariscotta 3.0 mi 5.8
DAMARISCOTTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Nobleboro 3.6 mi 4.9
Miller School Waldoboro 7.3 mi 5.6
Edgecomb Eddy School Edgecomb 7.3 mi 5.5
Bristol Consolidated School Damariscotta 9.7 mi 7.1
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 8.2
Wiscasset Middle/High School Wiscasset 8.3 mi 6.9
Jefferson Village School Damariscotta 11.6 mi 4.9
South Bristol Elementary School Damariscotta 12.3 mi 8.6
Friendship Village School Friendship 9.6 mi 8.3
Whitefield Elementary School Whitefield 13.4 mi 8.1
Medomak Middle School Waldoboro 11.3 mi 7.2
Boothbay Region High School Boothbay Harbor 13.7 mi 6.8
Boothbay Region Elem School Boothbay Harbor 13.7 mi 7.1
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 7.8

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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