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Below Average

#434 of 542 schools in ME

Houlton Southside School

Elementary School · RSU 29/MSAD 29

65 South Street, Houlton, ME 04730

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

4.9

Grades

3rd – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#434 of 542

In Houlton

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

RSU 29/MSAD 29

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Houlton Southside School

4.9/10

Elementary School in Houlton · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Houlton Elementary School

2.0/10

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

Greater Houlton Christian Academy

4.3/10

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

About Houlton Southside School

Houlton Southside School is a public elementary school in Houlton, ME, part of RSU 29/MSAD 29. Houlton Southside School serves approximately 293 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Houlton Southside School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #434 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Houlton Southside School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 3.5
  • ME avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency85% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency83% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,994
Chronic Absenteeism18.8%

Houlton Southside School — Students at Houlton Southside School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
61%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2020*
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2022
Math
81%
ELA
85%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Houlton Southside School Compares

See how Houlton Southside School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
20th percentile in ME
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

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

65 South Street, Houlton, ME 04730

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Houlton Southside School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mill Pond School (rated 7.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Hodgdon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fort Street School (rated 6.9/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Mars Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 4.3/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Houlton, see our Houlton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 31.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Houlton Elementary School Houlton 0.1 mi 2.0
GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houlton 1.0 mi 4.3
Houlton Junior High School Houlton 1.5 mi 5.0
Houlton High School Houlton 1.5 mi 6.9
Mill Pond School Hodgdon 3.8 mi 7.0
Hodgdon Middle/High School Hodgdon 4.0 mi 6.3
So Aroostook School Dyer Brook 16.2 mi 6.5
Central Aroostook Jr-Sr H S Mars Hill 28.0 mi 7.9
Fort Street School Mars Hill 28.5 mi 6.9
East Grand School Danforth 31.1 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04730 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,345

Median Home Value

$123,500

Median Rent

$701/mo

Population

10,062

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

15.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.5%

Median Age

44

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln School Bangor, ME 4.9
Enfield Station Elementary School West Enfield, ME 4.9
Fisher-Mitchell School Bath, ME 4.9
Sherwood Heights Elementary Sch Auburn, ME 4.9
Ella P Burr School Lincoln, ME 5.0
Hollis School Hollis, ME 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Houlton Southside School

What grades does Houlton Southside School serve?

Houlton Southside School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Houlton Southside School?

Houlton Southside School has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Houlton Southside School?

The student-teacher ratio at Houlton Southside School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Houlton Southside School rank in ME?

Houlton Southside School ranks #434 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Houlton Southside School's MySchoolScout rating?

Houlton Southside School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Houlton Southside School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Houlton Southside School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Houlton Southside School a charter school?

No, Houlton Southside School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Houlton Southside School a Title I school?

No, Houlton Southside School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Houlton Southside School?

59.4% of students at Houlton Southside 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Aroostook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

District

RSU 29/MSAD 29
District Enrollment
1,262
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,994
District Rank
#3 of 4

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