Skip to main content

Very Good

#117 of 542 schools in ME

Top 21% in state

Telstar High School

High School · RSU 44/MSAD 44

284 Walkers Mills Road, Bethel, ME 04217

Enrollment

168

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethel

#1 of 3

public schools

Maine high schools

#26 of 112

In district

#1 of 4

RSU 44/MSAD 44

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Telstar High School

Telstar High School in Bethel, Maine, is a regular public high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 168 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed academically and personally. Telstar High School has 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

Academically, Telstar High School ranks in the 70th percentile among Maine schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 78% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 61% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where the school is strong and others where it has room for improvement.

Telstar High School is situated in a remote rural area, which offers a unique community feel and close-knit environment. Students here benefit from a tight-knit school community that fosters personal connections and supports individual growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 168 students, Telstar High 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.

Located in a rural area, Telstar 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+17.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5%
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)83%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness6.0Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,197

Telstar High School — Students at Telstar High School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

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 61.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 78.0%
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
15%
ELA
54.5%
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: 9.4/10.

How Telstar High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
79th percentile in ME
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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 8.1/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Rumford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oxford Hills Comprehensive H S (rated 4.8/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Paris), a more accessible option. 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 6.3
Crescent Park School Bethel 1.4 mi 6.3
THE EDDY MIDDLE SCHOOL Newry 4.9 mi
Woodstock School Bryant Pond 6.1 mi 6.3
Andover Elementary School Andover 14.8 mi
Agnes Gray School West Paris 11.6 mi 5.8
FORESTDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bryant Pond 11.2 mi
Waterford Memorial School Waterford 16.0 mi 5.2
Rumford Elementary Rumford 14.0 mi 8.0
Mountain Valley High School Rumford 14.3 mi 8.1
Meroby Elementary School Mexico 15.0 mi 5.2
Mountain Valley Middle School Mexico 15.1 mi 6.2
Paris Elementary School Paris 16.7 mi 4.5
SUMMIT ACHIEVEMENT Stow 17.7 mi
Guy E Rowe School Norway 18.3 mi 5.5
Oxford Hills Comprehensive H S Paris 18.5 mi 4.8
HEZION ACADEMY Peru 16.3 mi 5.2
Oxford Hills Middle School Paris 18.6 mi 5.3
BRIDGTON ACADEMY North Bridgton 22.2 mi 9.3
New Suncook School Lovell 21.6 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Telstar High School has a median household income of $58,152. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $276,600, with a median rent of $878/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Central Aroostook Jr-Sr H S Mars Hill, ME 7.2
Mt Abram Regional High School Salem, ME 7.2
Upper Kennebec Valley Middle/Senior High School Bingham, ME 7.2
Woodland Jr-Sr High School Baileyville, ME 7.2
KENTS HILL SCHOOL Kents Hill, ME 7.4
Maine Academy of Natural Sciences Hinckley, ME 7.5

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 is ranked #117 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Telstar High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Telstar 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 Telstar High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Telstar High School has 61.3% math proficiency and 78.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Average (455/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 44/MSAD 44
District Enrollment
672
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,446
District Rank
#1 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

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.