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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+10.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)89%
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation39.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,547

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 78.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 88.8%
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
47%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2022
Math
92%
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: 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.

Overall Score
8.1/10
93th percentile in ME
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (153/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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