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Average

#240 of 542 schools in ME

Top 44% in state

Troy a Howard Middle School

Middle School · RSU 71

173 Lincolnville Avenue, Belfast, ME 04915

Enrollment

343

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belfast

#4 of 4

public schools

Maine middle schools

#37 of 82

In district

#6 of 7

RSU 71

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Troy a Howard Middle School

Troy A Howard Middle School is a public middle school located in Belfast, Maine. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 343 students and maintains a supportive student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1 with 32 full-time teachers. The academic performance at Troy A Howard Middle School indicates that while there is room for improvement—especially in math where 62% of students are proficient or above, and ELA/Reading where 69% meet proficiency—the school ranks 35th percentile among Maine schools.

Despite the lower MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10, many parents appreciate the strong community ties and the dedicated staff who work hard to support their students' growth. The school is situated in a rural area near the town center, offering students a close-knit environment that fosters a sense of belonging and engagement with local resources.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Troy a Howard Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Troy a Howard Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+13.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,519

Troy a Howard Middle School — Students at Troy a Howard Middle School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.0%
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
26%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
78%
ELA
76%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Troy a Howard Middle School Compares

See how Troy a Howard Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
56th percentile in ME
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

173 Lincolnville Avenue, Belfast, ME 04915

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Troy a Howard Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Searsport District Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Searsport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Camden-Rockport Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belfast, see our Belfast schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Captain Albert W. Stevens School Belfast 0.8 mi 7.5
Belfast Area High School Belfast 1.2 mi 6.8
CORNERSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Belfast 1.3 mi 5.9
East Belfast School Belfast 2.0 mi 7.5
Edna Drinkwater School Northport 3.2 mi 4.7
Kermit S Nickerson School Swanville 7.6 mi 4.3
Searsport District High School Searsport 6.1 mi 6.8
Searsport District Middle School Searsport 6.1 mi 7.7
Searsport Elementary Searsport 6.1 mi 6.8
Gladys Weymouth Elem School Morrill 6.2 mi 7.5
Lincolnville Central School Lincolnville 9.2 mi 7.7
Morse Memorial School Brooks 11.0 mi 5.8
Ames Elementary School Searsmont 9.2 mi 8.8
Islesboro Central School Islesboro 11.4 mi 6.4
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 13.9 mi 7.8
WAYFINDER SCHOOLS Camden 14.0 mi 5.8
Camden-Rockport Middle School Camden 14.0 mi 7.6
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Camden 14.3 mi
Adams School Castine 11.4 mi 5.1
ASHWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Rockport 15.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04915 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,083

Median Home Value

$261,900

Median Rent

$1,009/mo

Population

9,030

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

53.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Troy a Howard Middle School has a median household income of $59,083. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,900, with a median rent of $1,009/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Falmouth Middle School Falmouth, ME 6.5
Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth, ME 6.6
Philip W Sugg Middle School Lisbon Falls, ME 6.4
Frank H Harrison Middle School Yarmouth, ME 6.3
Lincoln Middle School Portland, ME 6.3
Maranacook Community Middle Sch Readfield, ME 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Troy a Howard Middle School

What grades does Troy a Howard Middle School serve?

Troy a Howard Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Troy a Howard Middle School?

Troy a Howard Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Troy a Howard Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Troy a Howard Middle School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Troy a Howard Middle School rank in ME?

Troy a Howard Middle School is ranked #240 out of 542 schools in ME.

What is Troy a Howard Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Troy a Howard Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Troy a Howard Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Troy a Howard Middle School has 62.0% math proficiency and 69.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Troy a Howard Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Troy a Howard Middle School a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Troy a Howard Middle School?

47.2% of students at Troy a Howard 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

City Safety
Average (633/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Waldo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RSU 71
District Enrollment
1,418
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,807
District Rank
#6 of 7

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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