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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+17.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency97.5%
Overall Proficiency98%
Expected (poverty-adj.)89%
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,368

Manchester Elementary School — Students at Manchester Elementary School score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 89%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 73.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.0/10
99th percentile in ME
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (190/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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