Skip to main content

Below Average

#444 of 542 schools in ME

Sanford High School

High School · Sanford Public Schools

100 Alumni Blvd, Sanford, ME 04073

Enrollment

1,099

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sanford

#2 of 4

public schools

Maine high schools

#104 of 112

In district

#2 of 5

Sanford Public Schools

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Sanford High School

Sanford High School serves 1,099 students in grades 9 through 12 in this York County community. With 67 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.4 to 1, allowing for reasonably sized classes in this sizable high school setting. The school shows solid performance in core academics, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 82% reaching proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

While Sanford High School has room for academic growth in its overall performance metrics, these subject-area results demonstrate student capability and potential for continued development. Located at 100 Alumni Boulevard, the school draws from a stable working-class community where the median household income is $70,605 and median home value reaches $241,000. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a 10.7% poverty rate, and nearly one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a mix of educational backgrounds among local families.

Sanford High School sits in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering students both small-town familiarity and access to broader metropolitan resources and opportunities as they prepare for their post-secondary paths.

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+15.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,120

Sanford High School — Students at Sanford High School score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.0%
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
26%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
77%

* 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 Sanford High School Compares

See how Sanford High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in ME
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers

Location

100 Alumni Blvd, Sanford, ME 04073

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanford High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Noble High School (rated 5.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby North Berwick), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Massabesic High School (rated 4.9/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Waterboro), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Margaret Chase Smith Sanford 1.4 mi 4.7
ST THOMAS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL Sanford 2.2 mi 5.3
Sanford Pride Elementary School Sanford 2.8 mi 6.4
Sanford Middle School Sanford 2.9 mi 3.7
Carl J Lamb School Springvale 3.2 mi 4.4
Alfred Elementary School Alfred 3.7 mi 6.9
FRASER-FORD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Sanford 4.4 mi
North Berwick Elementary School North Berwick 8.0 mi 6.9
Massabesic High School Waterboro 8.1 mi 4.9
Noble High School North Berwick 8.1 mi 5.8
Lyman Elementary School Lyman 7.3 mi 8.2
Shapleigh Memorial School Shapleigh 9.3 mi 6.1
Noble Middle School Berwick 9.9 mi 5.9
Eric L Knowlton School Berwick 10.2 mi 3.2
Hanson School Lebanon 8.2 mi 6.0
Lebanon Elementary School Lebanon 8.2 mi 4.6
Massabesic Middle School East Waterboro 11.3 mi 6.8
Waterboro Elementary School East Waterboro 11.6 mi 6.1
Acton Elementary School Acton 9.5 mi 7.2
Middle School of the Kennebunks Kennebunk 8.7 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04073 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,135

Median Home Value

$259,500

Median Rent

$1,145/mo

Population

17,385

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sanford High School has a median household income of $69,135. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Massabesic High School Waterboro, ME 4.9
Marshwood High School South Berwick, ME 5.0
Mt Blue High School Farmington, ME 5.0
Gorham High School Gorham, ME 4.8
Oxford Hills Comprehensive H S Paris, ME 4.8
South Portland High School South Portland, ME 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanford High School

What grades does Sanford High School serve?

Sanford High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sanford High School?

Sanford High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,099 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sanford High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sanford High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sanford High School rank in ME?

Sanford High School is ranked #444 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Sanford High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanford High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Sanford High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanford High School has 65.0% math proficiency and 69.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sanford High School a charter school?

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

Is Sanford High School a Title I school?

No, Sanford High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sanford High School?

42.4% of students at Sanford 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,837/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,099
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
York County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sanford Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,265
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,584
District Rank
#2 of 5

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.