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#397 of 542 schools in ME

Telstar High School

High School · RSU 44/MSAD 44

284 Walkers Mills Road, Bethel, ME 04217

Enrollment

168

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#397 of 542

In Bethel

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

RSU 44/MSAD 44

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Telstar High School

5.3/10

High School in Bethel · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Telstar Middle School

6.0/10

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

Crescent Park School

6.9/10

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

About Telstar High School

Telstar High School is a public high school in Bethel, ME, part of RSU 44/MSAD 44. Telstar High School serves approximately 168 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Telstar High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #397 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Telstar High School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below ME schools
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • ME avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

At 168 students, Telstar High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Telstar High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

60% of students at Telstar High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency85% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness3.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate74.5%
AP Participation12.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,446
Chronic Absenteeism60.1%

Telstar High School — Students at Telstar High School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2012
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2013
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
49.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2022
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Telstar High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in ME
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
7
3 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
12.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics7sports offered
3 boys'·4 girls'·7 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

284 Walkers Mills Road, Bethel, ME 04217

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Telstar High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BRIDGTON ACADEMY (rated 9.3/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby North Bridgton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain Valley High School (rated 6.3/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Rumford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oxford Hills Comprehensive H S (rated 4.6/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Paris), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bethel, see our Bethel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Telstar Middle School Bethel 0.0 mi 6.0
Crescent Park School Bethel 1.4 mi 6.9
THE EDDY MIDDLE SCHOOL Newry 4.9 mi
Woodstock School Bryant Pond 6.1 mi 6.6
Andover Elementary School Andover 14.8 mi
Agnes Gray School West Paris 11.6 mi 3.5
FORESTDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bryant Pond 11.2 mi
Waterford Memorial School Waterford 16.0 mi 1.8
Rumford Elementary Rumford 14.0 mi 4.0
Mountain Valley High School Rumford 14.3 mi 6.3
Meroby Elementary School Mexico 15.0 mi 3.2
Mountain Valley Middle School Mexico 15.1 mi 5.3
Paris Elementary School Paris 16.7 mi 2.8
SUMMIT ACHIEVEMENT Stow 17.7 mi
Guy E Rowe School Norway 18.3 mi 2.5
Oxford Hills Comprehensive H S Paris 18.5 mi 4.6
HEZION ACADEMY Peru 16.3 mi 5.2
Oxford Hills Middle School Paris 18.6 mi 2.9
BRIDGTON ACADEMY North Bridgton 22.2 mi 9.3
New Suncook School Lovell 21.6 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,152

Median Home Value

$276,600

Median Rent

$878/mo

Population

3,285

College Educated

37.4%

Homeownership

85.3%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

52

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Maine Academy of Natural Sciences Hinckley, ME 5.7
Dirigo High School Dixfield, ME 4.8
Machias Memorial High School Machias, ME 4.8
Searsport District High School Searsport, ME 5.8
Carrabec High School North Anson, ME 6.3
Hodgdon Middle/High School Hodgdon, ME 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Telstar High School

What grades does Telstar High School serve?

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

How many students attend Telstar High School?

Telstar High School has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Telstar High School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Telstar High School rank in ME?

Telstar High School ranks #397 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Telstar High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Telstar High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Telstar High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Telstar High School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Telstar High School a charter school?

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

Is Telstar High School a Title I school?

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

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

38.7% of students at Telstar 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Oxford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.1%
4-Year Graduation
74.5%

District

RSU 44/MSAD 44
District Enrollment
672
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,446
District Rank
#4 of 4

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