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#288 of 542 schools in ME

Messalonskee Middle School

Middle School · RSU 18

33 School Bus Drive, Oakland, ME 04963

Enrollment

468

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oakland

#2 of 4

public schools

Maine middle schools

#47 of 82

In district

#6 of 8

RSU 18

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Messalonskee Middle School

Messalonskee Middle School is a public middle school serving students in grades six through eight, located in Oakland, Maine. With an enrollment of 468 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. The campus is situated in a rural area near the town, providing a close-knit community feel while still offering easy access to local amenities.

Messalonskee Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks at number 258 out of 542 schools in Maine, placing it in the 53rd percentile among state schools. Academically, students perform well above average in English Language Arts (ELA) with 78% scoring proficient or higher, while math proficiency stands at 69%, indicating room for improvement but a solid foundation nonetheless. The school's setting is ideal for fostering close relationships between teachers and students, as well as among peers.

Students enjoy the benefits of a rural environment while still being part of an active community in Oakland.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Messalonskee Middle 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 Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+13.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)85%
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,606

Messalonskee Middle School — Students at Messalonskee Middle School score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.7%
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
34%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
88%
2022
Math
86%
ELA
86%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Messalonskee Middle School Compares

See how Messalonskee Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in ME
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

33 School Bus Drive, Oakland, ME 04963

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Messalonskee Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Waterville Junior High School (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Waterville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lawrence Jr High School (rated 6.0/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Winslow Junior High School (rated 5.1/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Winslow), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Williams Elementary School Oakland 0.1 mi 7.3
Messalonskee High School Oakland 0.3 mi 5.7
Ralph M Atwood Primary School Oakland 0.4 mi 4.9
WFS WATERVILLE Waterville 2.8 mi
MOUNT MERICI ACADEMY Waterville 2.9 mi 6.4
Waterville Junior High School Waterville 3.1 mi 7.0
TEMPLE ACADEMY Waterville 3.3 mi 4.9
NFI SIDNEY RIVER BEND SCHOOL Sidney 4.2 mi
Waterville Senior High School Waterville 3.6 mi 7.7
Albert S Hall School Waterville 3.9 mi 5.7
George J Mitchell School Waterville 4.2 mi 5.0
CENTRAL MAINE LEARNING CENTER Belgrade 5.0 mi 6.4
Winslow High School Winslow 4.8 mi 7.2
Winslow Elementary School Winslow 4.8 mi 6.6
Winslow Junior High School Winslow 4.8 mi 5.1
KENNEBEC MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fairfield 5.2 mi 7.2
James H Bean School Sidney 7.8 mi 7.3
Lawrence High School Fairfield 6.0 mi 6.1
Lawrence Jr High School Fairfield 6.0 mi 6.0
Fairfield Primary School Fairfield 6.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04963 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,611

Median Home Value

$228,200

Median Rent

$885/mo

Population

7,375

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

82.6%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Messalonskee Middle School has a median household income of $73,611. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,200, with a median rent of $885/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Biddeford Middle School Biddeford, ME 6.2
Bucksport Middle School Bucksport, ME 6.2
Houlton Junior High School Houlton, ME 6.2
Mountain Valley Middle School Mexico, ME 6.2
Frank H Harrison Middle School Yarmouth, ME 6.3
Lincoln Middle School Portland, ME 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Messalonskee Middle School

What grades does Messalonskee Middle School serve?

Messalonskee Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Messalonskee Middle School?

Messalonskee Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 468 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Messalonskee Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Messalonskee Middle School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Messalonskee Middle School rank in ME?

Messalonskee Middle School is ranked #288 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Messalonskee Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Messalonskee Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Messalonskee Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Messalonskee Middle School has 68.7% math proficiency and 77.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Messalonskee Middle School a charter school?

No, Messalonskee Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Messalonskee Middle School a Title I school?

No, Messalonskee Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Messalonskee Middle School?

29.9% of students at Messalonskee Middle 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 (876/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kennebec County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 18
District Enrollment
2,756
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,517
District Rank
#6 of 8

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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