Excellent
#41 of 542 schools in ME
Top 7% in state
Mt Desert Island High School
High School · Mt Desert CSD
PO Box 180, Mount Desert, ME 04660
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maine high schools
#9 of 112
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Mt Desert Island High School
Mt Desert Island High School serves 474 students in grades 9-12 in the scenic coastal community of Mount Desert, Maine. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships. Academically, Mt Desert Island High School stands out as one of Maine's top performers, ranking 36th out of 542 high schools statewide and earning a strong 7.9 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating.
The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement with 92% of students scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all tested grades. This outstanding performance places the school in the 94th percentile among Maine high schools. The school draws from a well-educated community where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $70,069.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.8%, with median home values of $483,900 reflecting the desirability of this coastal region. Located in a remote rural setting within Hancock County's ZIP code 04660, Mt Desert Island High School serves a tight-knit community of approximately 1,100 residents who value educational excellence in one of Maine's most picturesque coastal areas.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Mt Desert Island High 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 Island High 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 Island High School — Students at Mt Desert Island High School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 89%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
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: 4.6/10.
How Mt Desert Island High School Compares
See how Mt Desert Island High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 92% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 92% (2022).
Location
PO Box 180, Mount Desert, ME 04660
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mt Desert Island High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sumner Memorial High School (rated 7.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Sullivan), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ellsworth High School (rated 5.6/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Ellsworth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mount Desert, see our Mount Desert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Mt. Desert | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Mt Desert Elementary School Northeast Harbor | 5.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Conners-Emerson School Bar Harbor | 4.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Pemetic Elementary School Southwest Harbor | 6.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Trenton Elementary School Trenton | 6.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Lamoine Consolidated School Lamoine | 7.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Cranberry Isles School Cranberry Isles | 8.7 mi | — |
| Tremont Consolidated School Tremont | 8.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Hancock Grammar School Hancock | 11.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Sumner Memorial High School Sullivan | 11.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Sumner Middle Sch Sullivan | 11.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Mountain View Sch Sullivan | 13.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School Ellsworth | 13.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Swans Island Elementary School Swans Island | 14.3 mi | — |
| Ellsworth High School Ellsworth | 14.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Surry Elementary School Surry | 13.3 mi | 6.5 |
| GRAHAM LAKE SCHOOL Ellsworth | 16.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Frenchboro Elementary School Frenchboro | 18.1 mi | — |
| Peninsula Sch Prospect Harbor | 13.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Brooklin School Brooklin | 15.1 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04660 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,750
Median Home Value
$474,800
Median Rent
$1,111/mo
Population
1,124
College Educated
56%
Homeownership
90.2%
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
56.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mt Desert Island High School has a median household income of $83,750. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $474,800, with a median rent of $1,111/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| Mountain Valley High School Rumford, ME | 8.1 |
| Casco Bay High School Portland, ME | 8.0 |
| Leavitt Area High School Turner, ME | 7.9 |
| Freeport High School Freeport, ME | 7.7 |
| Waterville Senior High School Waterville, ME | 7.7 |
| Wells High School Wells, ME | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mt Desert Island High School
What grades does Mt Desert Island High School serve?
Mt Desert Island High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mt Desert Island High School?
Mt Desert Island High School has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mt Desert Island High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mt Desert Island High School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mt Desert Island High School rank in ME?
Mt Desert Island High School is ranked #41 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Mt Desert Island High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt Desert Island High School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Island High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mt Desert Island High School has 78.8% math proficiency and 88.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mt Desert Island High School a charter school?
No, Mt Desert Island High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mt Desert Island High School a Title I school?
No, Mt Desert Island High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mt Desert Island High School?
14.8% of students at Mt Desert Island High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hancock County
- Phone
- (207) 288-5011
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mt Desert CSD- District Enrollment
- 474
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,737
- 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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