Excellent
#7 of 542 schools in ME
Top 1% in state
Manchester Elementary School
Elementary School · RSU 38
17 School St., Manchester, ME 04351
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maine elementary schools
#5 of 337
In district
#1 of 6
RSU 38
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Manchester Elementary School
Manchester Elementary School serves 166 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of RSU 38 in Manchester, Maine. At 9.8 students per teacher, class sizes stay small — a structural advantage that matters most in the early grades, where individual attention shapes long-term academic trajectory. The school earns a 9.1/10 composite score and an Exceptional rating.
Academic performance comes in at 9.7/10, and a 9.4/10 growth score shows students making strong gains regardless of starting point. Those results carry real weight in context: Manchester Elementary ranks #7 out of 542 public schools in Maine and sits #6 among 337 elementary schools statewide, outperforming 99% of Maine schools. Within RSU 38, it holds the top spot among all six district schools.
The combination of high achievement and high growth is uncommon. Many schools post strong test scores on the strength of demographics alone; a 9.4 growth score signals that students here are actively advancing — not just arriving prepared. For families choosing an elementary school in the Augusta area, Manchester Elementary represents the clearest concentration of academic performance available, with statewide rankings that put it in a category very few Maine schools reach.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 166 students, Manchester Elementary 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Manchester Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Manchester Elementary 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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Manchester Elementary School — Students at Manchester Elementary School score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 89%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.1%
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: 9.4/10.
How Manchester Elementary School Compares
See how Manchester Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 97.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 97.5% (2022).
Location
17 School St., Manchester, ME 04351
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Manchester Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Readfield Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Readfield), a more accessible option. Another option is Hall-Dale Elementary Sch (rated 7.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Hallowell), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST MICHAEL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Augusta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Manchester, see our Manchester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHILDRENS CTR-EARLY INTERVEN AND FAM SUPPORT INC. Augusta | 3.2 mi | — |
| Hall-Dale Elementary Sch Hallowell | 3.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln School Augusta | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Augusta | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Sylvio J Gilbert School Augusta | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Hall-Dale Middle and High School Farmingdale | 5.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Readfield Elementary School Readfield | 5.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Maine Virtual Academy Augusta | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Helen Thompson School West Gardiner | 6.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Lillian Parks Hussey School Augusta | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Winthrop Grade School Winthrop | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Maranacook Community Middle Sch Readfield | 6.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cony Augusta | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Cony Middle School Augusta | 5.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Maranacook Community High Sch Readfield | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Farrington School Augusta | 5.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Maine Arts Academy School Augusta | 6.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Winthrop High School Winthrop | 6.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Gardiner Area High School Gardiner | 7.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Winthrop Middle School Winthrop | 6.2 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04351 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,453
Median Home Value
$284,700
Median Rent
$968/mo
Population
2,464
College Educated
48.2%
Homeownership
81.8%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
44.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Manchester Elementary School has a median household income of $89,453. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $284,700, with a median rent of $968/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Ames Elementary School Searsmont, ME | 8.8 |
| Bowdoin Central School Bowdoin, ME | 8.8 |
| Thomaston Grammar School Thomaston, ME | 9.2 |
| Stratton Elementary School Stratton, ME | 8.5 |
| Williams-Cone School Topsham, ME | 8.2 |
| Wiscasset Elementary School Wiscasset, ME | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Manchester Elementary School
What grades does Manchester Elementary School serve?
Manchester Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Manchester Elementary School?
Manchester Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Manchester Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Manchester Elementary School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Manchester Elementary School rank in ME?
Manchester Elementary School is ranked #7 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Manchester Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Manchester Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Manchester Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Manchester Elementary School has 73.8% math proficiency and 83.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Manchester Elementary School a charter school?
No, Manchester Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Manchester Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Manchester Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Manchester Elementary School?
18.1% of students at Manchester Elementary 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
- 166
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kennebec County
- Phone
- (207) 622-2949
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RSU 38- District Enrollment
- 1,192
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,311
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
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