Average
#376 of 542 schools in ME
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
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maine schools
#376 of 542
In district
#3 of 6
RSU 11/MSAD 11
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Helen Thompson School
Elementary School in West Gardiner · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gardiner Regional Middle School
3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hall-dale Middle and High School
4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Helen Thompson School
Helen Thompson School is a public elementary school in West Gardiner, ME, part of RSU 11/MSAD 11. Helen Thompson School serves approximately 257 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Helen Thompson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #376 of 542 schools in ME.
Structured state assessment records for Helen Thompson School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 4.5
- ME avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Helen Thompson 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Helen Thompson School — Students at Helen Thompson School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 84%).
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 28 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: 4.7/10.
How Helen Thompson School Compares
See how Helen Thompson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.9/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Manchester), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MICHAEL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Augusta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hall-Dale Elementary Sch (rated 6.5/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Hallowell), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.9 |
| Hall-Dale Middle and High School Farmingdale | 4.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Gardiner Area High School Gardiner | 4.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Laura E Richards School Gardiner | 4.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Hall-Dale Elementary Sch Hallowell | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Manchester Elementary School Manchester | 6.9 mi | 7.9 |
| CHILDRENS CTR-EARLY INTERVEN AND FAM SUPPORT INC. Augusta | 7.0 mi | — |
| Winthrop Grade School Winthrop | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School Pittston | 6.0 mi | 2.9 |
| SPURWINK-CHELSEA Chelsea | 6.2 mi | — |
| Lincoln School Augusta | 7.5 mi | 5.0 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Augusta | 7.5 mi | 6.7 |
| River View Community School South Gardiner | 6.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Libby-Tozier School Litchfield | 7.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Winthrop High School Winthrop | 7.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Carrie Ricker School Litchfield | 8.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Winthrop Middle School Winthrop | 7.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Maine Virtual Academy Augusta | 8.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Sylvio J Gilbert School Augusta | 8.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Maine Arts Academy School Augusta | 8.1 mi | 8.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Granite Street School Millinocket, ME | 5.5 |
| Madawaska Elementary School Madawaska, ME | 5.5 |
| Raymond Elementary School Raymond, ME | 5.5 |
| Williams-Cone School Topsham, ME | 5.5 |
| Woolwich Central School Woolwich, ME | 5.5 |
| East Auburn Community School Auburn, ME | 5.4 |
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 ranks #376 of 542 schools in ME.
What is Helen Thompson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helen Thompson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Helen Thompson School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Helen Thompson School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.1%
- Phone
- (207) 724-3930
Resources & Links
District
RSU 11/MSAD 11- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,092
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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