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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+9.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency97.5%
Overall Proficiency98%
Expected (poverty-adj.)90%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,179

Mt Desert Elementary School — Students at Mt Desert Elementary School score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 90%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 83.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 90.7%
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
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
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: 3.8/10.

How Mt Desert Elementary School Compares

See how Mt Desert Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
65th percentile in ME
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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