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Very Good

#127 of 542 schools in ME

Top 23% in state

Spruce Mountain High School

High School · RSU 73

33 Community Drive, Jay, ME 04239

Enrollment

427

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jay

#2 of 3

public schools

Maine high schools

#28 of 112

In district

#2 of 4

RSU 73

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Spruce Mountain High School

Spruce Mountain High School serves 427 students in grades 9-12 in Jay, Maine, offering a close-knit educational environment with a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. The school has earned recognition as one of Maine's stronger performing high schools, ranking 95th out of 542 schools statewide and placing in the 83rd percentile with a solid 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Spruce Mountain demonstrates notable strengths, particularly in English Language Arts where 75% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.

Math performance shows 66% of students meeting proficiency standards, reflecting steady academic achievement. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains small class sizes that allow for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income of $76,587 supports families, though only 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The relatively low poverty rate of 6.5% suggests a community with economic stability, and median home values of $152,800 reflect the area's affordability. Located on Community Drive in Franklin County, Spruce Mountain High School sits in Maine's scenic rural landscape, providing students with a small-town educational experience amid the natural beauty of western Maine.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Spruce Mountain 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 Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+20.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)79%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,599

Spruce Mountain High School — Students at Spruce Mountain High School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 66.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 74.7%
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
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2022
Math
92%
ELA
87%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Spruce Mountain High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
77th percentile in ME
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

33 Community Drive, Jay, ME 04239

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spruce Mountain High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Leavitt Area High School (rated 7.9/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Turner), which scores slightly higher. Another option is KENTS HILL SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Kents Hill), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mt Blue High School (rated 5.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Farmington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jay, see our Jay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Spruce Mountain Middle School Jay 0.1 mi 7.9
Spruce Mountain Elementary School Jay 0.3 mi 5.3
Spruce Mountain Primary School Livermore 3.9 mi 6.6
Academy Hill School Wilton 7.0 mi 7.9
Gerald D Cushing School Wilton 7.1 mi 5.9
Mt Blue High School Farmington 10.5 mi 5.0
Fayette Central School Fayette 9.9 mi 3.8
W G Mallett School Farmington 12.5 mi 5.9
Wayne Elementary School Wayne 11.5 mi 5.8
Mt Blue Middle School Farmington 12.9 mi 6.4
Cascade Brook School Farmington 13.0 mi 5.7
Cape Cod Hill Elem School New Sharon 11.5 mi 5.3
Leeds Central School Leeds 14.3 mi 3.9
KENTS HILL SCHOOL Kents Hill 11.5 mi 7.4
Turner Primary School Turner 15.3 mi 4.4
Turner Elementary School Turner 15.5 mi 6.4
Tripp Middle School Turner 15.5 mi 5.3
Hartford-Sumner Elementary School Sumner 12.9 mi 7.2
Leavitt Area High School Turner 15.7 mi 7.9
Mt Vernon Elementary School Mount Vernon 11.4 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04239 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,575

Median Home Value

$162,500

Median Rent

$723/mo

Population

4,644

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

85.4%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spruce Mountain High School has a median household income of $77,575. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,500, with a median rent of $723/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Maine Virtual Academy Augusta, ME 7.3
Oceanside High School Rockland, ME 7.3
Winslow High School Winslow, ME 7.2
Bucksport High School Bucksport, ME 7.1
MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE Pittsfield, ME 7.1
Mt View High School Thorndike, ME 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spruce Mountain High School

What grades does Spruce Mountain High School serve?

Spruce Mountain High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Spruce Mountain High School?

Spruce Mountain High School has an enrollment of approximately 427 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spruce Mountain High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Spruce Mountain High School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spruce Mountain High School rank in ME?

Spruce Mountain High School is ranked #127 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Spruce Mountain High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spruce Mountain High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Spruce Mountain High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spruce Mountain High School has 66.2% math proficiency and 74.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spruce Mountain High School a charter school?

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

Is Spruce Mountain High School a Title I school?

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

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

54.3% of students at Spruce Mountain 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Franklin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 73
District Enrollment
1,418
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,330
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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