Lewiston School Department operates 12 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Lewiston School Department | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 5,500 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 12 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
About Lewiston School Department
Lewiston School Department is the public school district that serves ZIP 04240 in Lewiston, Maine in Androscoggin County. A 4/10 rating places it below the typical Maine district on the data NCES reports, so families focused on schools should look closely. The district operates 12 schools and serves roughly 5,500 students (a mid-sized district), covering Pre-K – 12th. Review the funding and enrollment data above, then contact the district to confirm which schools serve your exact address before you commit to a move.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Lewiston School Department runs approximately $14,000 annually, placing it 10% below the Maine state average of approximately $15,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Lewiston School Department is a large district with 12 schools serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 5,500 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Lewiston School Department 4 out of 10 — below average among Maine public school districts. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Lewiston School Department carries a below-average rating, indicating resource levels and structural indicators below typical Maine benchmarks. Below-average ratings primarily reflect per-pupil spending, staffing ratios, and enrollment trends — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture. Some below-average districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 04240
Children in zip code 04240 are assigned to Lewiston School Department for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 04240, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Lewiston School Department at (207)795-4100 or visit www.lewistonpublicschools.org/. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Maine districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Lewiston
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Lewiston School Department serves zip code 04240, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 04240. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Maine, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Lewiston School Department programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 04240.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Lewiston School Department before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 04240 data.