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
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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James H Bean School — Students at James H Bean School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.6%
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: 8.0/10.
How James H Bean School Compares
See how James H Bean School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 87% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 97.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (207) 547-3395
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 18- District Enrollment
- 2,756
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,517
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
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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