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Very Good

#123 of 542 schools in ME

Top 23% in state

James H Bean School

Elementary School · RSU 18

2896 Middle Road, Sidney, ME 04330

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maine elementary schools

#78 of 337

In district

#2 of 8

RSU 18

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About James H Bean School

James H Bean School serves 297 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Sidney, Maine, providing a solid educational foundation with impressive academic results. This elementary school maintains a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #111 out of 542 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Maine elementary schools.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts and reading, with 98% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. Mathematics performance is also noteworthy, with 87% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Located at 2896 Middle Road in Kennebec County, James H Bean School draws families from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $52,500 and median home values average $176,200.

The surrounding area has an 18.5% poverty rate, with 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This regular public school operates in Sidney's rural setting, offering students a more intimate learning environment away from urban distractions while maintaining high academic standards that prepare young learners for their continued educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, James H Bean 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+14.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency97.5%
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)85%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,606

James H Bean School — Students at James H Bean School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.0%
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
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How James H Bean School Compares

See how James H Bean School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
78th percentile in ME
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

2896 Middle Road, Sidney, ME 04330

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James H Bean School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Williams Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Oakland), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST MICHAEL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Augusta), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Belgrade Central School (rated 6.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Belgrade), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sidney, see our Sidney schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
CENTRAL MAINE LEARNING CENTER Belgrade 5.0 mi 6.4
NFI SIDNEY RIVER BEND SCHOOL Sidney 4.9 mi
Belgrade Central School Belgrade 4.5 mi 6.5
Vassalboro Community School Vassalboro 4.5 mi 4.8
Ralph M Atwood Primary School Oakland 7.5 mi 4.9
Williams Elementary School Oakland 7.7 mi 7.3
Sylvio J Gilbert School Augusta 7.7 mi 5.7
Messalonskee Middle School Oakland 7.8 mi 6.2
Messalonskee High School Oakland 8.1 mi 5.7
Lillian Parks Hussey School Augusta 8.4 mi 4.3
Waterville Junior High School Waterville 7.4 mi 7.0
Cony Augusta 8.7 mi 4.5
Cony Middle School Augusta 8.7 mi 5.3
TEMPLE ACADEMY Waterville 7.8 mi 4.9
Maine Virtual Academy Augusta 8.9 mi 7.3
Farrington School Augusta 9.2 mi 5.4
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Augusta 9.1 mi 6.7
Lincoln School Augusta 9.1 mi 5.7
WFS WATERVILLE Waterville 8.6 mi
CHILDRENS CTR-EARLY INTERVEN AND FAM SUPPORT INC. Augusta 9.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,158

Median Home Value

$197,600

Median Rent

$912/mo

Population

26,517

College Educated

28.1%

Homeownership

63.5%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

16.1%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding James H Bean School has a median household income of $55,158. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,600, with a median rent of $912/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Calais Elementary School Calais, ME 7.3
Piscataquis Community Elementary Guilford, ME 7.3
Williams Elementary School Oakland, ME 7.3
Acton Elementary School Acton, ME 7.2
Blue Point School Scarborough, ME 7.2
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary Sch Deer Isle, ME 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James H Bean School

What grades does James H Bean School serve?

James H Bean School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend James H Bean School?

James H Bean School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James H Bean School?

The student-teacher ratio at James H Bean 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 James H Bean School rank in ME?

James H Bean School is ranked #123 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is James H Bean School's MySchoolScout rating?

James H Bean School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 James H Bean School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James H Bean School has 72.0% math proficiency and 84.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James H Bean School a charter school?

No, James H Bean School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James H Bean School a Title I school?

No, James H Bean School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James H Bean School?

29.6% of students at James H Bean 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (190/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kennebec County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 18
District Enrollment
2,756
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,517
District Rank
#2 of 8

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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