Skip to main content

Excellent

#19 of 542 schools in ME

Top 3% in state

Margaret Chase Smith

Elementary School · Sanford Public Schools

248 Twombley Rd, Sanford, ME 04073

Enrollment

439

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#19 of 542

In Sanford

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 5

Sanford Public Schools

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Margaret Chase Smith?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Margaret Chase Smith

8.6/10

Elementary School in Sanford · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Thomas Consolidated School

5.3/10

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

Sanford High School

5.1/10

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

About Margaret Chase Smith

Margaret Chase Smith is a public elementary school in Sanford, ME, part of Sanford Public Schools. Margaret Chase Smith serves approximately 439 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Margaret Chase Smith has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #19 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Margaret Chase Smith show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • ME avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Margaret Chase Smith 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.73 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency92% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency90% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)80% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,584
Chronic Absenteeism18.5%

Margaret Chase Smith — Students at Margaret Chase Smith score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 83.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 88.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
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.

2020*
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
92%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Margaret Chase Smith Compares

See how Margaret Chase Smith performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
97th percentile in ME
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

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

248 Twombley Rd, Sanford, ME 04073

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Margaret Chase Smith may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hanson School (rated 9.0/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Lebanon), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Shapleigh Memorial School (rated 8.3/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Shapleigh), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lyman Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Lyman), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST THOMAS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL Sanford 1.7 mi 5.3
Sanford High School Sanford 1.4 mi 5.1
Sanford Pride Elementary School Sanford 1.9 mi 7.9
Sanford Middle School Sanford 2.1 mi 4.1
Carl J Lamb School Springvale 2.6 mi 4.7
Alfred Elementary School Alfred 4.3 mi 5.7
FRASER-FORD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Sanford 5.0 mi
Noble High School North Berwick 8.1 mi 6.8
North Berwick Elementary School North Berwick 8.3 mi 6.0
Massabesic High School Waterboro 8.2 mi 5.0
Shapleigh Memorial School Shapleigh 8.4 mi 8.3
Hanson School Lebanon 6.8 mi 9.0
Lebanon Elementary School Lebanon 6.9 mi 5.0
Noble Middle School Berwick 9.6 mi 5.8
Eric L Knowlton School Berwick 9.9 mi 5.3
Acton Elementary School Acton 8.4 mi 6.5
Lyman Elementary School Lyman 8.4 mi 8.0
Vivian E Hussey School Berwick 11.6 mi 3.6
Massabesic Middle School East Waterboro 11.5 mi 6.3
Waterboro Elementary School East Waterboro 11.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04073 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,135

Median Home Value

$259,500

Median Rent

$1,145/mo

Population

17,385

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

40.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
George B Weatherbee School Hampden, ME 8.4
C K Burns School Saco, ME 8.2
Durham Community School Durham, ME 8.2
William H Rowe School Yarmouth, ME 8.1
Ocean Avenue Portland, ME 8.0
Piscataquis Community Elementary Guilford, ME 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Margaret Chase Smith

What grades does Margaret Chase Smith serve?

Margaret Chase Smith serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Margaret Chase Smith?

Margaret Chase Smith has an enrollment of approximately 439 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Margaret Chase Smith?

The student-teacher ratio at Margaret Chase Smith is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Margaret Chase Smith rank in ME?

Margaret Chase Smith ranks #19 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Margaret Chase Smith's MySchoolScout rating?

Margaret Chase Smith has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Margaret Chase Smith?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Margaret Chase Smith has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

Is Margaret Chase Smith a charter school?

No, Margaret Chase Smith is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Margaret Chase Smith a Title I school?

No, Margaret Chase Smith is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Margaret Chase Smith?

48.3% of students at Margaret Chase Smith 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
439
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
York County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

District

Sanford Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,265
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,584
District Rank
#1 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.