📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
32 Rated Districts in the Portland-South Portland, ME Metro Area
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among Maine districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cape Elizabeth Public Schools | Cape Elizabeth | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #2 | Falmouth Public Schools | Falmouth | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #3 | Yarmouth School Department | Yarmouth | 10/10 Excellent | 95th |
| #4 | York Public Schools | York | 10/10 Excellent | 95th |
| #5 | School Administrative District 51 | Cumberland | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #6 | Regional School Unit 05 | Freeport | 10/10 Excellent | 92nd |
| #7 | Scarborough School Department | Scarborough | 10/10 Excellent | 92nd |
| #8 | Regional School Unit 21 | Kennebunk | 10/10 Excellent | 91st |
| #9 | Gorham Public Schools | Gorham | 10/10 Excellent | 90th |
| #10 | Wells-Ogunquit Community School District | Wells | 10/10 Excellent | 90th |
| #11 | Chebeague Island Public Schools | Chebeague Island | 9/10 Excellent | 83rd |
| #12 | Kittery Public Schools | Kittery | 8/10 Good | 76th |
| #13 | Acton Public Schools | Acton | 8/10 Good | 72nd |
| #14 | School Administrative District 35 | Eliot | 8/10 Good | 71st |
| #15 | School Administrative District 15 | Gray | 7/10 Good | 68th |
| #16 | Saco Public Schools | Saco | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #17 | Brunswick Public Schools | Brunswick | 7/10 Good | 65th |
| #18 | School Administrative District 75 | Topsham | 7/10 Good | 65th |
| #19 | School Administrative District 57 | Waterboro | 7/10 Good | 62nd |
| #20 | Regional School Unit 14 | Windham | 6/10 Average | 53rd |
| #21 | Regional School Unit 01 | Bath | 5/10 Average | 47th |
| #22 | School Administrative District 06 | Buxton | 5/10 Average | 45th |
| #23 | School Administrative District 60 | North Berwick | 4/10 Below Average | 39th |
| #24 | Regional School Unit 23 | Old Orchard Beach | 4/10 Below Average | 37th |
| #25 | South Portland Public Schools | South Portland | 4/10 Below Average | 35th |
| #26 | Sanford Public Schools | Sanford | 3/10 Below Average | 27th |
| #27 | Biddeford Public Schools | Biddeford | 3/10 Below Average | 26th |
| #28 | Portland Public Schools | Portland | 2/10 Poor | 19th |
| #29 | Long Island Public Schools | Long Island | 2/10 Poor | 13th |
| #30 | School Administrative District 61 | Bridgton | 2/10 Poor | 13th |
| #31 | Westbrook Public Schools | Westbrook | 1/10 Poor | 9th |
| #32 | Sebago Public Schools | Sebago | 1/10 Poor | 8th |
Best School Districts in the Portland-South Portland, ME Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from EDFacts 2021–22 (Maine) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area? ▼
Among the 32 rated districts in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, 2 share the top position at 10/10 (Excellent), 99th percentile of Maine districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency: Cape Elizabeth Public Schools (Cape Elizabeth); Falmouth Public Schools (Falmouth).
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.