Average
#427 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
5.1
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.1
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houlton
#3 of 4
public schools
Maine elementary schools
#246 of 337
In district
#3 of 4
RSU 29/MSAD 29
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Houlton Southside School
Houlton Southside School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Houlton, Maine. Serving students from third to fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 293 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the 37th percentile among Maine schools.
Academically, Houlton Southside School has a score of 5.1/10, indicating room for growth and improvement. In English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, 76% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 67% meet proficiency standards. Houlton is situated in Aroostook County, which can feel quite remote at times, but this setting offers a close-knit community where everyone knows each other.
Despite the challenges that come with its isolated location, Houlton Southside School continues to support and educate students within a tight-knit community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Houlton Southside School — Students at Houlton Southside School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
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: 4.8/10.
How Houlton Southside School Compares
See how Houlton Southside School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 81% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 85% (2022).
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. Fort Street School (rated 6.0/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Mars Hill), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mill Pond School (rated 5.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Hodgdon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Houlton Elementary School (rated 4.3/10, 0.1 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 | 4.3 |
| GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houlton | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Houlton Junior High School Houlton | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Houlton High School Houlton | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Mill Pond School Hodgdon | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Hodgdon Middle/High School Hodgdon | 4.0 mi | 6.1 |
| So Aroostook School Dyer Brook | 16.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Aroostook Jr-Sr H S Mars Hill | 28.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Fort Street School Mars Hill | 28.5 mi | 6.0 |
| East Grand School Danforth | 31.1 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Houlton Southside School has a median household income of $55,345. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,500, with a median rent of $701/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls Mechanic Falls, ME | 5.1 |
| James Otis Kaler Elementary School South Portland, ME | 5.1 |
| Longfellow School-Portland Portland, ME | 5.1 |
| Center Drive School Orrington, ME | 5.0 |
| Vine Street School Bangor, ME | 5.0 |
| Meroby Elementary School Mexico, ME | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #427 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Houlton Southside School's MySchoolScout rating?
Houlton Southside School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Houlton Southside School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Houlton Southside School has 67.3% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,563/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houlton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (207) 532-6027
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 29/MSAD 29- District Enrollment
- 1,262
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,994
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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