Very Good
#91 of 542 schools in ME
Top 17% in state
Penobscot Valley High School
High School · RSU 31/MSAD 31
23 Cross Street, Howland, ME 04448
Enrollment
131
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
131
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maine schools
#91 of 542
In Howland
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
RSU 31/MSAD 31
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Penobscot Valley High School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Penobscot Valley High School
High School in Howland · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hichborn Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Enfield Station Elementary School
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penobscot Valley High School
Penobscot Valley High School is a public high school in Howland, ME, part of RSU 31/MSAD 31. Penobscot Valley High School serves approximately 131 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Penobscot Valley High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #91 of 542 schools in ME.
Structured state assessment records for Penobscot Valley High School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- ME avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
At 131 students, Penobscot Valley High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Penobscot Valley High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penobscot Valley High School — Students at Penobscot Valley High School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 9.3/10.
How Penobscot Valley High School Compares
See how Penobscot Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
23 Cross Street, Howland, ME 04448
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penobscot Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Orono High School (rated 8.0/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Orono), with a very similar rating. Another option is Old Town High School (rated 6.5/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Old Town), a more accessible option. Additionally, Penquis Valley Middle/High School (rated 5.7/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Milo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Howland, see our Howland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hichborn Middle School Howland | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Enfield Station Elementary School West Enfield | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Helen S Dunn Elementary School Greenbush | 9.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Mattanawcook Jr High School Lincoln | 11.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Ella P Burr School Lincoln | 12.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Mattanawcook Academy Lincoln | 12.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Alton Elementary School Alton | 14.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Indian Island School Indian Island | 20.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Dr Lewis S Libby School Milford | 21.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Old Town High School Old Town | 21.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Leonard Middle School Old Town | 21.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Milo Elementary School Milo | 15.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Old Town Elementary School Old Town | 22.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Penquis Valley Middle/High School Milo | 16.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Asa C Adams School Orono | 25.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Orono High School Orono | 25.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Orono Middle School Orono | 25.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Glenburn Elementary School Glenburn | 24.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Medway Middle School Medway | 26.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Brownville Elementary School Brownville | 19.2 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04448 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,958
Median Home Value
$115,600
Median Rent
$938/mo
Population
1,489
College Educated
13.8%
Homeownership
83.6%
Avg Commute
40.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Median Age
47.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Woodland Jr-Sr High School Baileyville, ME | 7.6 |
| Central Aroostook Jr-Sr H S Mars Hill, ME | 7.9 |
| Shead High School Eastport, ME | 7.4 |
| Wisdom Middle High School Saint Agatha, ME | 8.0 |
| ME Sch of Science & Mathematics Limestone, ME | 8.1 |
| Boothbay Region High School Boothbay Harbor, ME | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penobscot Valley High School
What grades does Penobscot Valley High School serve?
Penobscot Valley High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Penobscot Valley High School?
Penobscot Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 131 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penobscot Valley High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penobscot Valley High School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penobscot Valley High School rank in ME?
Penobscot Valley High School ranks #91 of 542 schools in ME.
What is Penobscot Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penobscot Valley High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Penobscot Valley High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penobscot Valley High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Penobscot Valley High School a charter school?
No, Penobscot Valley High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penobscot Valley High School a Title I school?
No, Penobscot Valley High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penobscot Valley High School?
48.9% of students at Penobscot Valley 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 131
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Penobscot County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.8%
- Phone
- (207) 732-3111
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.5%
Resources & Links
District
RSU 31/MSAD 31- District Enrollment
- 439
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,671
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.