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Below Average

#449 of 542 schools in ME

Kermit S Nickerson School

Elementary School · RSU 71

18 Townhouse Road, Swanville, ME 04915

Enrollment

57

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

3rd – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#449 of 542

In district

#7 of 7

RSU 71

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Kermit S Nickerson School

4.7/10

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

East Belfast School

5.3/10

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

Belfast Area High School

6.7/10

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

About Kermit S Nickerson School

Kermit S Nickerson School is a public elementary school in Swanville, ME, part of RSU 71. Kermit S Nickerson School serves approximately 57 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Kermit S Nickerson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #449 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Kermit S Nickerson School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • ME avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 57 students, Kermit S Nickerson School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Kermit S Nickerson School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

49% of students at Kermit S Nickerson School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency80% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)76% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,807
Chronic Absenteeism49.1%

Kermit S Nickerson School — Students at Kermit S Nickerson School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 73.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 85.3% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2020*
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
82%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Kermit S Nickerson School Compares

See how Kermit S Nickerson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in ME
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

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

18 Townhouse Road, Swanville, ME 04915

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kermit S Nickerson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monroe Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leroy H Smith School (rated 7.7/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Winterport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, G Herbert Jewett School (rated 7.7/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Bucksport), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Swanville, see our Swanville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
East Belfast School Belfast 5.8 mi 5.3
Belfast Area High School Belfast 6.5 mi 6.7
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 6.5 mi 8.2
Searsport Elementary Searsport 5.4 mi 4.2
Searsport District Middle School Searsport 5.5 mi 5.0
Searsport District High School Searsport 5.6 mi 5.8
Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast 7.2 mi 7.0
Troy A Howard Middle School Belfast 7.6 mi 6.5
CORNERSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Belfast 7.9 mi 5.9
Morse Memorial School Brooks 6.6 mi 2.9
Edna Drinkwater School Northport 9.6 mi 5.6
Gladys Weymouth Elem School Morrill 9.0 mi 6.4
Samuel L Wagner Middle School Winterport 10.6 mi 7.1
Leroy H Smith School Winterport 10.7 mi 7.7
REACH SCHOOL Bucksport 10.7 mi
Newburgh Elementary School Newburgh 14.6 mi 2.8
BUCKSPORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bucksport 10.9 mi
G Herbert Jewett School Bucksport 11.2 mi 7.7
Bucksport High School Bucksport 11.5 mi 7.2
Miles Lane School Bucksport 11.6 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04915 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,083

Median Home Value

$261,900

Median Rent

$1,009/mo

Population

9,030

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

53.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DAMARISCOTTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Nobleboro, ME 4.9
Fayette Central School Fayette, ME 5.1
Creative Childrens Academy Skowhegan, ME 4.3
GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houlton, ME 4.3
Wayne Elementary School Wayne, ME 4.2
CENTER FOR TEACHING & LEARNING Edgecomb, ME 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kermit S Nickerson School

What grades does Kermit S Nickerson School serve?

Kermit S Nickerson School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Kermit S Nickerson School?

Kermit S Nickerson School has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kermit S Nickerson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kermit S Nickerson School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kermit S Nickerson School rank in ME?

Kermit S Nickerson School ranks #449 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Kermit S Nickerson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kermit S Nickerson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Kermit S Nickerson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kermit S Nickerson School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

Is Kermit S Nickerson School a charter school?

No, Kermit S Nickerson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kermit S Nickerson School a Title I school?

No, Kermit S Nickerson School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kermit S Nickerson School?

61.4% of students at Kermit S Nickerson 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Waldo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

District

RSU 71
District Enrollment
1,418
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,807
District Rank
#7 of 7

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