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Below Average

#498 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

4.3

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maine elementary schools

#300 of 337

In district

#7 of 7

RSU 71

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Kermit S Nickerson School

Kermit S Nickerson School is a charming elementary school located in the rural community of Swanville, Maine. Serving students from third to fifth grade, this small school has an enrollment of 57 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows that 84% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 74% excel in math.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranking at #475 out of 542 schools in Maine, Kermit S Nickerson School is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community feel where students can thrive in a supportive learning environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 57 students, Kermit S Nickerson 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.

Located in a rural area, Kermit S Nickerson 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 Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)77%
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,519

Kermit S Nickerson School — Students at Kermit S Nickerson School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

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 74.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

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: 1.5/10.

How Kermit S Nickerson School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
8th percentile in ME
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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 7.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Belfast School (rated 7.5/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Belfast), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Captain Albert W. Stevens School (rated 7.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Belfast), 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 7.5
Belfast Area High School Belfast 6.5 mi 6.8
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 6.5 mi 7.8
Searsport Elementary Searsport 5.4 mi 6.8
Searsport District Middle School Searsport 5.5 mi 7.7
Searsport District High School Searsport 5.6 mi 6.8
Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast 7.2 mi 7.5
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 5.8
Edna Drinkwater School Northport 9.6 mi 4.7
Gladys Weymouth Elem School Morrill 9.0 mi 7.5
Samuel L Wagner Middle School Winterport 10.6 mi 6.0
Leroy H Smith School Winterport 10.7 mi 5.8
REACH SCHOOL Bucksport 10.7 mi
Newburgh Elementary School Newburgh 14.6 mi 5.6
BUCKSPORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bucksport 10.9 mi
G Herbert Jewett School Bucksport 11.2 mi 6.1
Bucksport High School Bucksport 11.5 mi 7.1
Miles Lane School Bucksport 11.6 mi 5.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kermit S Nickerson School has a median household income of $59,083. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,900, with a median rent of $1,009/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houlton, ME 4.3
Alexander Elementary Alexander, ME 4.5
Creative Childrens Academy Skowhegan, ME 3.9
Fayette Central School Fayette, ME 3.8
Fort O'Brien School Machiasport, ME 3.7
DAMARISCOTTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Nobleboro, ME 4.9

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 is ranked #498 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Kermit S Nickerson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kermit S Nickerson School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Kermit S Nickerson School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kermit S Nickerson School has 74.5% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Low (57/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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