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Below Average

#483 of 542 schools in ME

Sanford Middle School

Middle School · Sanford Public Schools

52 Spartan Dr, Sanford, ME 04073

Enrollment

923

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

4.1

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#483 of 542

In Sanford

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Sanford Public Schools

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Sanford Middle School

4.1/10

Middle School in Sanford · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sanford Pride Elementary School

7.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Carl J Lamb School

4.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sanford Middle School

Sanford Middle School is a public middle school in Sanford, ME, part of Sanford Public Schools. Sanford Middle School serves approximately 923 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Sanford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #483 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Sanford Middle School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

How it compares1.9 pts below ME schools
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • ME avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Sanford Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency78% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,584
Chronic Absenteeism35.4%

Sanford Middle School — Students at Sanford Middle School score 78% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 77.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 78.0% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2020*
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
78%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Sanford Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
11th percentile in ME
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

52 Spartan Dr, Sanford, ME 04073

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanford Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Massabesic Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby East Waterboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Noble Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Berwick), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Sanford Pride Elementary School Sanford 0.3 mi 7.9
Carl J Lamb School Springvale 0.6 mi 4.7
ST THOMAS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL Sanford 0.8 mi 5.3
Margaret Chase Smith Sanford 2.1 mi 8.6
Sanford High School Sanford 2.9 mi 5.1
Alfred Elementary School Alfred 3.4 mi 5.7
Massabesic High School Waterboro 6.5 mi 5.0
Shapleigh Memorial School Shapleigh 6.4 mi 8.3
FRASER-FORD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Sanford 7.0 mi
Acton Elementary School Acton 6.8 mi 6.5
Hanson School Lebanon 7.1 mi 9.0
Lebanon Elementary School Lebanon 7.2 mi 5.0
Noble High School North Berwick 10.2 mi 6.8
Massabesic Middle School East Waterboro 9.8 mi 6.3
North Berwick Elementary School North Berwick 10.4 mi 6.0
Waterboro Elementary School East Waterboro 10.0 mi 6.1
Lyman Elementary School Lyman 7.9 mi 8.0
MAPLESTONE Acton 8.3 mi
Noble Middle School Berwick 11.5 mi 5.8
Eric L Knowlton School Berwick 11.9 mi 5.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Westbrook Middle School Westbrook, ME 4.3
Bonny Eagle Middle School Buxton, ME 4.8
Lewiston Middle School Lewiston, ME 3.3
Windham Middle School Windham, ME 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanford Middle School

What grades does Sanford Middle School serve?

Sanford Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Sanford Middle School?

Sanford Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 923 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Sanford Middle School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sanford Middle School rank in ME?

Sanford Middle School ranks #483 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Sanford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Sanford Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sanford Middle School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

Is Sanford Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sanford Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

49.9% of students at Sanford Middle 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
923
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
York County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.4%

District

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

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