Skip to main content

Average

#186 of 542 schools in ME

Top 34% in state

Pownal Elementary School

Elementary School · RSU 05

587 Elmwood Road, Pownal, ME 04069

Enrollment

89

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maine elementary schools

#109 of 337

In district

#2 of 6

RSU 05

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Pownal Elementary School

Pownal Elementary School serves 89 students in grades PreK through 5 in this close-knit Cumberland County community. With just 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates outstanding academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 22nd among Maine's 542 elementary schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 95% achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels tested. Pownal Elementary serves a stable, educated community where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $100,750. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.1%, with median home values of $383,000 reflecting the community's investment in the neighborhood.

The small school size creates an intimate learning environment where every student is known and supported. Teachers can focus on individual student needs while maintaining high academic standards across all grade levels. Pownal Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town center, offering students the benefits of both natural surroundings and community connections within this peaceful Maine community of 1,600 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 89 students, Pownal 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 8.9:1, Pownal 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, Pownal 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 Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+12.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95%
Reading/ELA Proficiency95%
Overall Proficiency95%
Expected (poverty-adj.)90%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,391

Pownal Elementary School — Students at Pownal Elementary School score 95% 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

12.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 81.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 81.3%
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
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2022
Math
95%
ELA
95%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Pownal Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in ME
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

587 Elmwood Road, Pownal, ME 04069

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pownal Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. William H Rowe School (rated 6.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Yarmouth), with a very similar rating. Another option is L'ECOLE FRANCAISE DU MAINE (rated 6.8/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby South Freeport), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mabel I Wilson School (rated 6.6/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Cumberland), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pownal, see our Pownal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WFS PINELAND New Gloucester 3.2 mi
Burchard A Dunn School New Gloucester 3.3 mi 4.9
MAINE COAST WALDORF SCHOOL Freeport 4.0 mi 7.1
PINE TREE ACADEMY Freeport 4.6 mi 7.7
Freeport High School Freeport 5.0 mi 7.7
William H Rowe School Yarmouth 6.5 mi 6.8
Morse Street School Freeport 5.1 mi 6.5
Freeport Middle School Freeport 5.0 mi 6.0
NORTH YARMOUTH ACADEMY Yarmouth 6.8 mi 8.3
Durham Community School Durham 6.1 mi 5.6
Yarmouth Elementary School Yarmouth 7.0 mi 5.1
Frank H Harrison Middle School Yarmouth 7.0 mi 6.3
Yarmouth High School Yarmouth 7.2 mi 5.7
Mast Landing School Freeport 5.8 mi 6.2
L'ECOLE FRANCAISE DU MAINE South Freeport 6.6 mi 6.8
Greely High School Cumberland 7.5 mi 7.1
Greely Middle School Cumberland 7.5 mi 5.9
Greely Middle School 4-5 Cumberland 7.5 mi 4.9
Mabel I Wilson School Cumberland 7.7 mi 6.6
Memorial School New Gloucester 7.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04069 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,750

Median Home Value

$400,000

Median Rent

$1,638/mo

Population

1,551

College Educated

46.1%

Homeownership

90.9%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

46.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pownal Elementary School has a median household income of $103,750. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,000, with a median rent of $1,638/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eastport Elementary School Eastport, ME 6.9
Hebron Station School Hebron, ME 6.9
Eddington School Eddington, ME 7.0
Kingfield Elementary Sch Kingfield, ME 7.0
Harmony Elementary Harmony, ME 6.8
Woodland Elementary School Baileyville, ME 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pownal Elementary School

What grades does Pownal Elementary School serve?

Pownal Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Pownal Elementary School?

Pownal Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 89 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pownal Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pownal Elementary School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pownal Elementary School rank in ME?

Pownal Elementary School is ranked #186 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Pownal Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pownal Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Pownal Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pownal Elementary School has 81.5% math proficiency and 81.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pownal Elementary School a charter school?

No, Pownal Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pownal Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Pownal Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pownal Elementary School?

12.4% of students at Pownal 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 (109/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cumberland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 05
District Enrollment
2,089
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,544
District Rank
#2 of 6

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

Related 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.