Skip to main content

Average

#39 of 64 private schools in ME

The School at Sweetser

School

50 MOODY ST, Saco, ME 04072

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on ME statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

41

Student-Teacher

4.8:1

Score

6.0

Grades

4th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Saco

#1 of 2

public schools

Maine schools

#15 of 25

About The School at Sweetser

The School at Sweetser is a small rural public school located in Saco, Maine. Serving grades 4 through 12, the school has an enrollment of just 41 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1 with 8 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic ranking, The School at Sweetser offers a close-knit community setting where each student receives individualized attention from dedicated educators.

The school's rural location provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning, though specific neighborhood details are not available. With room for continued academic growth and development, the school focuses on nurturing students' overall well-being in addition to their educational needs. Situated near Saco town, The School at Sweetser benefits from its serene rural surroundings while still being close enough to nearby amenities and resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 41 students, The School at Sweetser 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, The School at Sweetser offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, The School at Sweetser operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The School at Sweetser compares to the 5 public schools in Saco, ME

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
This School
vs
12.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
41
This School
vs
385
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.0
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90.2% vs 0%
Black 4.9% vs 0%
The School at Sweetser Saco Public Avg

All Schools in Saco

School Rating
The School at Sweetser (this school) 6.0
Young School 7.4
C K Burns School 5.5
Governor John Fairfield School 7.4
Saco Pre-K 6.7
Saco Middle School 7.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in ME.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,104
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 10%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 41
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in ME

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.2%
Black 4.9%
Native American 4.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

50 MOODY ST, Saco, ME 04072

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The School at Sweetser may also want to explore other schools in the area. Jameson Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Old Orchard Beach), which scores notably higher. Another option is Saco Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Biddeford Primary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Biddeford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saco, see our Saco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
THORNTON ACADEMY Saco 0.9 mi 3.8
C K Burns School Saco 1.1 mi 5.5
Young School Saco 0.8 mi 7.4
Governor John Fairfield School Saco 1.3 mi 7.4
Saco Pre-K Saco 1.4 mi 6.7
Saco Middle School Saco 1.6 mi 7.7
Old Orchard Beach High School Old Orchard Beach 2.0 mi 6.8
Biddeford High School Biddeford 2.3 mi 6.5
Jameson Elementary School Old Orchard Beach 2.1 mi 8.1
Loranger Memorial School Old Orchard Beach 2.2 mi 7.2
John F Kennedy Memorial School Biddeford 3.0 mi 4.1
Biddeford Middle School Biddeford 3.3 mi 6.2
Biddeford Intermediate School Biddeford 3.4 mi 7.4
Biddeford Primary School Biddeford 3.3 mi 7.5
Blue Point School Scarborough 4.6 mi 7.2
Mildred L Day School Arundel 7.1 mi 5.3
Scarborough Middle School Scarborough 7.3 mi 6.1
Wentworth School Scarborough 7.3 mi 6.2
Scarborough High School Scarborough 7.2 mi 7.0
Eight Corners Elementary School Scarborough 8.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04072 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,328

Median Home Value

$370,300

Median Rent

$1,268/mo

Population

20,636

College Educated

40.5%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding The School at Sweetser has a median household income of $84,328. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,300, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% 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
MORRISON CENTER Scarborough, ME 5.8
CENTRAL MAINE LEARNING CENTER Belgrade, ME 6.4
LISBON FALLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lisbon Falls, ME 5.6
GRAHAM LAKE SCHOOL Ellsworth, ME 6.8
OPPORTUNITY TRAINING CENTER Presque Isle, ME 4.6
GLENN STRATTON LEARNING CENTER Hinckley, ME

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The School at Sweetser

What grades does The School at Sweetser serve?

The School at Sweetser serves students in grades 4th through 12th.

How many students attend The School at Sweetser?

The School at Sweetser has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The School at Sweetser?

The student-teacher ratio at The School at Sweetser is 4.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The School at Sweetser rank in ME?

The School at Sweetser is ranked #39 out of 64 private schools in ME.

What is The School at Sweetser's MySchoolScout rating?

The School at Sweetser has a composite rating of 6.0 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.

Is The School at Sweetser a private school?

Yes, The School at Sweetser is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The School at Sweetser a religious school?

No, The School at Sweetser is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,173/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
4th – 12th
Enrollment
41
Gender Split
83% M / 17% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
184 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
YORK
Data Year
2022–2023

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.