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Average

#245 of 542 schools in ME

Top 45% in state

Islesboro Central School

School · Islesboro Public Schools

PO Box 118, Islesboro, ME 04848

Enrollment

76

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#7 of 11

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Islesboro Central School

Islesboro Central School serves 76 students in grades K-12 on Maine's Islesboro, offering an intimate educational experience with an exceptional 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio. This small public school punches above its weight academically, earning a 7.5/10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #69 out of 542 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 95% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 84% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These strong results reflect the benefits of individualized attention possible with just 14 full-time equivalent teachers serving the entire student body. Islesboro Central School draws from a close-knit island community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $73,611. The area maintains a mix of year-round residents and seasonal visitors, with median home values of $274,500 reflecting the island's desirable location.

As Maine's only K-12 school serving an island community, Islesboro Central School provides a unique educational environment where students of all ages learn together in a supportive, rural island setting that fosters both academic excellence and strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 76 students, Islesboro Central School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1, Islesboro Central School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Islesboro Central 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+14.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency95%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)91%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,128

Islesboro Central School — Students at Islesboro Central School score 90% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 91%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 74.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 81.5%
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
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2022
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Islesboro Central School Compares

See how Islesboro Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
55th percentile in ME
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

PO Box 118, Islesboro, ME 04848

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Islesboro Central School may also want to explore other schools in the area. North Haven Community School (rated 8.5/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby North Haven), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WAYFINDER SCHOOLS (rated 5.8/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Camden), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Islesboro, see our Islesboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.8 mi
School Distance Rating
North Haven Community School North Haven 8.3 mi 8.5
Edna Drinkwater School Northport 8.5 mi 4.7
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Camden 8.5 mi
CORNERSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Belfast 10.5 mi 5.9
WAYFINDER SCHOOLS Camden 8.5 mi 5.8
Camden-Rockport Middle School Camden 8.5 mi 7.6
Adams School Castine 10.3 mi 5.1
Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast 11.4 mi 7.5
Troy A Howard Middle School Belfast 11.4 mi 6.5
Belfast Area High School Belfast 12.1 mi 6.8
East Belfast School Belfast 12.4 mi 7.5
Camden-Rockport Elementary School Rockport 10.3 mi 7.0
Lincolnville Central School Lincolnville 9.7 mi 7.7
Searsport District High School Searsport 13.4 mi 6.8
Searsport District Middle School Searsport 13.5 mi 7.7
Searsport Elementary Searsport 13.6 mi 6.8
Camden Hills Regional H S Rockport 10.5 mi 6.3
ASHWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Rockport 10.6 mi 7.1
Brooksville Elementary School Brooksville 11.7 mi 6.4
RILEY SCHOOL Rockport 12.8 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04848 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,625

Median Home Value

$291,300

Median Rent

$938/mo

Population

686

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

89.8%

Poverty Rate

14.4%

Median Age

57.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Islesboro Central School has a median household income of $75,625. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,300, with a median rent of $938/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ROYAL ACADEMY EDUCATION INC. Gray, ME 6.5
CENTRAL MAINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lewiston, ME 6.3
WAYFINDER SCHOOLS Camden, ME 5.8
CHOP POINT SCHOOL Woolwich, ME 5.6
CHEWONKI ELEM/MIDDLE SCHOOL & MAINE COAST SEMESTER Wiscasset, ME 7.3
PEN BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockland, ME 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Islesboro Central School

What grades does Islesboro Central School serve?

Islesboro Central School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Islesboro Central School?

Islesboro Central School has an enrollment of approximately 76 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Islesboro Central School?

The student-teacher ratio at Islesboro Central School is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Islesboro Central School rank in ME?

Islesboro Central School is ranked #245 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Islesboro Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Islesboro Central 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 Islesboro Central School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Islesboro Central School has 74.7% math proficiency and 81.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Islesboro Central School a charter school?

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

Is Islesboro Central School a Title I school?

No, Islesboro Central School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Islesboro Central School?

9.2% of students at Islesboro Central 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
Average (503/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Islesboro). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
76
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Waldo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Islesboro Public Schools
District Enrollment
77
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$32,695
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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