Average
#207 of 542 schools in ME
Top 38% in state
Helen Thompson School
Elementary School · RSU 11/MSAD 11
309 Spears Corner Road, West Gardiner, ME 04345
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maine elementary schools
#120 of 337
In district
#2 of 6
RSU 11/MSAD 11
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Helen Thompson School
Helen Thompson School is a charming elementary school located in the rural area near West Gardiner, Maine. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Helen Thompson has an enrollment of 257 students and maintains a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Helen Thompson School offers a solid foundation for early education.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 52nd percentile among Maine schools. In reading and ELA, about 70% of students are proficient or above, while in math, around 67% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where Helen Thompson School has room for growth but also highlights its commitment to student development.
The school is situated in a quiet rural setting, providing a peaceful environment conducive to learning and community involvement. Helen Thompson School is well-regarded by families in the area for its nurturing approach and strong sense of community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Helen Thompson 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
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Helen Thompson School — Students at Helen Thompson School score 84% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.9%
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: 8.4/10.
How Helen Thompson School Compares
See how Helen Thompson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 87% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
309 Spears Corner Road, West Gardiner, ME 04345
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helen Thompson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Manchester Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Manchester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hall-Dale Elementary Sch (rated 7.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Hallowell), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MICHAEL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Augusta), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Gardiner, see our West Gardiner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardiner Regional Middle School Gardiner | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Hall-Dale Middle and High School Farmingdale | 4.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Gardiner Area High School Gardiner | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Laura E Richards School Gardiner | 4.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Hall-Dale Elementary Sch Hallowell | 5.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Manchester Elementary School Manchester | 6.9 mi | 9.0 |
| CHILDRENS CTR-EARLY INTERVEN AND FAM SUPPORT INC. Augusta | 7.0 mi | — |
| Winthrop Grade School Winthrop | 7.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School Pittston | 6.0 mi | 4.1 |
| SPURWINK-CHELSEA Chelsea | 6.2 mi | — |
| Lincoln School Augusta | 7.5 mi | 5.7 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Augusta | 7.5 mi | 6.7 |
| River View Community School South Gardiner | 6.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Libby-Tozier School Litchfield | 7.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Winthrop High School Winthrop | 7.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Carrie Ricker School Litchfield | 8.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Winthrop Middle School Winthrop | 7.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Maine Virtual Academy Augusta | 8.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Sylvio J Gilbert School Augusta | 8.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Maine Arts Academy School Augusta | 8.1 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04345 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,844
Median Home Value
$208,700
Median Rent
$956/mo
Population
12,363
College Educated
29.1%
Homeownership
78.2%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helen Thompson School has a median household income of $68,844. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,700, with a median rent of $956/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Granite Street School Millinocket, ME | 6.7 |
| Presumpscot School Portland, ME | 6.7 |
| Mt Desert Elementary School Northeast Harbor, ME | 6.8 |
| Searsport Elementary Searsport, ME | 6.8 |
| William H Rowe School Yarmouth, ME | 6.8 |
| Woodside Elementary School Topsham, ME | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helen Thompson School
What grades does Helen Thompson School serve?
Helen Thompson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Helen Thompson School?
Helen Thompson School has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen Thompson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helen Thompson School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helen Thompson School rank in ME?
Helen Thompson School is ranked #207 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Helen Thompson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helen Thompson School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Helen Thompson School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen Thompson School has 67.0% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helen Thompson School a charter school?
No, Helen Thompson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helen Thompson School a Title I school?
No, Helen Thompson School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helen Thompson School?
31.9% of students at Helen Thompson 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
- County Safety
- Low (190/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 257
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kennebec County
- Phone
- (207) 724-3930
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 11/MSAD 11- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,092
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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
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