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Very Good

#168 of 542 schools in ME

Top 31% in state

Penquis Valley Middle/high School

High School · RSU 41/MSAD 41

48 Penquis Drive, Milo, ME 04463

Enrollment

369

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

7.0

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milo

#2 of 2

public schools

Maine high schools

#40 of 112

In district

#3 of 3

RSU 41/MSAD 41

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Penquis Valley Middle/high School

Penquis Valley Middle/High School is a regular public school located in Milo, Maine, nestled in the heart of Piscataquis County. Serving students from fifth grade through twelfth grade, this comprehensive school houses both middle and high school levels under one roof, catering to 369 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 31 full-time equivalent educators committed to supporting the academic needs of each student.

With an overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #421 among 542 schools in Maine, Penquis Valley is working diligently on its educational offerings with room for improvement. The school’s academic score stands at 1.5 out of 10, reflecting that there are areas where the curriculum could be strengthened. In terms of proficiency rates, 56% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/Reading, while 47% do so in Math.

The setting is uniquely rural and remote, providing a close-knit community atmosphere with strong ties to local traditions and values. Penquis Valley Middle/High School embodies the essence of small-town education, fostering connections between students, teachers, and families within its tight-knit community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Penquis Valley Middle/high School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Penquis Valley Middle/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 Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+15.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,585

Penquis Valley Middle/high School — Students at Penquis Valley Middle/high School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
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
10%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
69%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Penquis Valley Middle/high School Compares

See how Penquis Valley Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
69th percentile in ME
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

48 Penquis Drive, Milo, ME 04463

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penquis Valley Middle/high School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Penobscot Valley High School (rated 8.0/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Howland), which scores slightly higher. Another option is FOXCROFT ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Dover-Foxcroft), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Central High School (rated 5.9/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Corinth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Milo, see our Milo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Milo Elementary School Milo 0.8 mi 7.1
Brownville Elementary School Brownville 5.4 mi 8.6
Central Community Elementary School Corinth 16.2 mi 5.5
Se Do Mo Cha Middle School Dover-Foxcroft 11.9 mi 5.1
Se Do Mo Cha Elementary School Dover-Foxcroft 11.9 mi 7.4
Central High School Corinth 17.6 mi 5.9
Central Middle School Corinth 17.7 mi 4.1
FOXCROFT ACADEMY Dover-Foxcroft 13.0 mi 6.3
Alton Elementary School Alton 19.1 mi 6.3
Hichborn Middle School Howland 16.2 mi 8.3
Penobscot Valley High School Howland 16.2 mi 8.0
Glenburn Elementary School Glenburn 24.3 mi 6.1
Ridge View Community School Dexter 21.4 mi 7.0
Dexter Regional High School Dexter 21.4 mi 5.7
NFI-STETSON RANCH SCHOOL Stetson 26.3 mi
Piscataquis Community Secondary School Guilford 19.4 mi 5.8
Piscataquis Community Elementary Guilford 19.4 mi 7.3
Suzanne M Smith Elementary School Levant 27.0 mi 3.8
Enfield Station Elementary School West Enfield 19.9 mi 7.8
Helen S Dunn Elementary School Greenbush 21.0 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04463 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,693

Median Home Value

$100,000

Median Rent

$942/mo

Population

2,649

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

70.4%

Avg Commute

38.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

46.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Penquis Valley Middle/high School has a median household income of $58,693. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,000, with a median rent of $942/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Mt View High School Thorndike, ME 7.0
Sumner Memorial High School Sullivan, ME 7.0
Bucksport High School Bucksport, ME 7.1
Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth, ME 6.9
MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE Pittsfield, ME 7.1
Wiscasset Middle/High School Wiscasset, ME 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Penquis Valley Middle/high School

What grades does Penquis Valley Middle/high School serve?

Penquis Valley Middle/high School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Penquis Valley Middle/high School?

Penquis Valley Middle/high School has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Penquis Valley Middle/high School?

The student-teacher ratio at Penquis Valley Middle/high School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Penquis Valley Middle/high School rank in ME?

Penquis Valley Middle/high School is ranked #168 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Penquis Valley Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?

Penquis Valley Middle/high School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Penquis Valley Middle/high School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penquis Valley Middle/high School has 47.0% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Penquis Valley Middle/high School a charter school?

No, Penquis Valley Middle/high School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Penquis Valley Middle/high School a Title I school?

No, Penquis Valley Middle/high School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penquis Valley Middle/high School?

79.4% of students at Penquis Valley Middle/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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (875/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Piscataquis County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 41/MSAD 41
District Enrollment
620
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,956
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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