Average
#190 of 542 schools in ME
Top 35% in state
Mt Desert Elementary School
Elementary School · Mount Desert Public Schools
PO Box 308, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maine elementary schools
#112 of 337
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Mt Desert Elementary School
Mt Desert Elementary School serves 159 students in grades PK through 8 in the picturesque community of Northeast Harbor, Maine. This exceptional public school has earned recognition as the #4 elementary school in Maine, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with an impressive 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school's academic excellence is evident in its outstanding test performance, with 98% of students achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.
With just 20 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Mt Desert Elementary maintains an excellent 8.0:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The school draws from a highly educated community where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $144,875 reflects the area's affluence. With a remarkably low poverty rate of just 1.8%, students benefit from strong family support systems and community resources.
Mt Desert Elementary sits in Hancock County's remote rural setting, where the tight-knit community of fewer than 500 residents creates an intimate, supportive environment. The school's location in Northeast Harbor places it within one of Maine's most scenic coastal regions, offering students a unique educational experience surrounded by natural beauty and a strong sense of community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 159 students, Mt Desert 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 8:1, Mt Desert 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, Mt Desert 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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Mt Desert Elementary School — Students at Mt Desert Elementary School score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 90%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
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: 3.8/10.
How Mt Desert Elementary School Compares
See how Mt Desert Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 97.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 97.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 308, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mt Desert Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Trenton Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Trenton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lamoine Consolidated School (rated 7.2/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Lamoine), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mountain View Sch (rated 7.0/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Sullivan), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Northeast Harbor, see our Northeast Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pemetic Elementary School Southwest Harbor | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Cranberry Isles School Cranberry Isles | 3.3 mi | — |
| Tremont Consolidated School Tremont | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Mt Desert Island High School Mount Desert | 5.5 mi | 8.1 |
| THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Mt. Desert | 5.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Conners-Emerson School Bar Harbor | 7.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Swans Island Elementary School Swans Island | 9.9 mi | — |
| Trenton Elementary School Trenton | 11.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Lamoine Consolidated School Lamoine | 13.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Frenchboro Elementary School Frenchboro | 12.8 mi | — |
| Hancock Grammar School Hancock | 16.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Sumner Memorial High School Sullivan | 16.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Sumner Middle Sch Sullivan | 16.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Mountain View Sch Sullivan | 18.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Brooklin School Brooklin | 13.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Peninsula Sch Prospect Harbor | 15.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School Ellsworth | 19.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Surry Elementary School Surry | 17.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Ellsworth High School Ellsworth | 19.4 mi | 5.6 |
| GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY Blue Hill | 16.9 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04662 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$150,250
Median Home Value
$606,700
Median Rent
$1,378/mo
Population
495
College Educated
64.4%
Homeownership
71.7%
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
52.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mt Desert Elementary School has a median household income of $150,250. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $606,700, with a median rent of $1,378/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Searsport Elementary Searsport, ME | 6.8 |
| Appleton Village School Appleton, ME | 6.7 |
| Granite Street School Millinocket, ME | 6.7 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Augusta, ME | 6.7 |
| Alfred Elementary School Alfred, ME | 6.9 |
| Hebron Station School Hebron, ME | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mt Desert Elementary School
What grades does Mt Desert Elementary School serve?
Mt Desert Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Mt Desert Elementary School?
Mt Desert Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mt Desert Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mt Desert Elementary School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mt Desert Elementary School rank in ME?
Mt Desert Elementary School is ranked #190 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Mt Desert Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt Desert Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Mt Desert Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mt Desert Elementary School has 83.8% math proficiency and 90.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mt Desert Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mt Desert Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mt Desert Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mt Desert Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mt Desert Elementary School?
13.2% of students at Mt Desert 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (153/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 159
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hancock County
- Phone
- (207) 276-3348
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mount Desert Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 159
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,222
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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