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Below Average

#503 of 542 schools in ME

Based on limited data

Laura E Richards School

Elementary School · RSU 11/MSAD 11

279 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on ME statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

228

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gardiner

#3 of 3

public schools

Maine elementary schools

#304 of 337

In district

#5 of 6

RSU 11/MSAD 11

About Laura E Richards School

Laura E Richards School is a public elementary school located in Gardiner, Maine. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through second grade, the school has an enrollment of 228 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting is in a small town, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.

While specific test score data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating for Laura E Richards School stands at 1.8 out of 10, and it ranks 536th out of 542 schools in Maine, indicating that there may be room for academic growth and improvement. The school focuses on student development and supportive learning environments to help children thrive. Laura E Richards School is situated in a town setting where students can benefit from the close connections within the community.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on ME state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,413

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Laura E Richards School Compares

See how Laura E Richards School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
7th percentile in ME
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

279 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laura E Richards School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chelsea Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Chelsea), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dresden Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Dresden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hall-Dale Elementary Sch (rated 7.1/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Hallowell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gardiner, see our Gardiner schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Gardiner Area High School Gardiner 0.7 mi 6.3
Gardiner Regional Middle School Gardiner 1.0 mi 7.1
Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School Pittston 1.3 mi 4.1
SPURWINK-CHELSEA Chelsea 2.9 mi
River View Community School South Gardiner 3.2 mi 4.9
Hall-Dale Middle and High School Farmingdale 3.5 mi 6.3
Hall-Dale Elementary Sch Hallowell 5.2 mi 7.1
Maine Arts Academy School Augusta 5.7 mi 7.6
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Augusta 6.4 mi 6.7
Lincoln School Augusta 6.5 mi 5.7
Farrington School Augusta 6.4 mi 5.4
CHILDRENS CTR-EARLY INTERVEN AND FAM SUPPORT INC. Augusta 6.5 mi
Maine Virtual Academy Augusta 6.6 mi 7.3
Helen Thompson School West Gardiner 4.7 mi 6.7
Dresden Elementary School Dresden 6.5 mi 7.8
Chelsea Elementary School Chelsea 5.4 mi 8.2
Cony Augusta 6.8 mi 4.5
Cony Middle School Augusta 6.8 mi 5.3
Lillian Parks Hussey School Augusta 7.1 mi 4.3
Sylvio J Gilbert School Augusta 7.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04345 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,844

Median Home Value

$208,700

Median Rent

$956/mo

Population

12,363

College Educated

29.1%

Homeownership

78.2%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laura E Richards School has a median household income of $68,844. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,700, with a median rent of $956/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
John F Kennedy Memorial School Biddeford, ME 4.1
Libby-Tozier School Litchfield, ME 4.1
Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School Pittston, ME 4.1
Fourteenth Street School Bangor, ME 4.2
Leeds Central School Leeds, ME 3.9
Houlton Elementary School Houlton, ME 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laura E Richards School

What grades does Laura E Richards School serve?

Laura E Richards School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Laura E Richards School?

Laura E Richards School has an enrollment of approximately 228 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laura E Richards School?

The student-teacher ratio at Laura E Richards School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laura E Richards School rank in ME?

Laura E Richards School is ranked #503 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Laura E Richards School's MySchoolScout rating?

Laura E Richards School has a composite rating of 4.1 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.

Is Laura E Richards School a charter school?

No, Laura E Richards School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Laura E Richards School a Title I school?

No, Laura E Richards School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laura E Richards School?

36.4% of students at Laura E Richards 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
Elevated (1,125/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
228
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Kennebec County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 11/MSAD 11
District Enrollment
1,897
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,092
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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