Damariscotta Public Schools operates 15 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Damariscotta Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 82 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 0 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,767/yr | $17,619/yr | Small district — per-pupil varies |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damariscotta Public Schools (this district) | 1/10 | 1st | 82 |
| Bristol Public Schools | 10/10 | 97th | 276 |
| Bremen Public Schools | Not rated | — | 23 |
| Newcastle Public Schools | 1/10 | 7th | 98 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 160 rated districts in ME → 1st percentile → 1/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2017–18 school year (most recent available for this district). Full methodology →
About Damariscotta Public Schools
Damariscotta Public Schools serves zip code 04543, covering Damariscotta, Maine with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Damariscotta Public Schools 1 out of 10 — low-rated among Maine public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Maine is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Damariscotta enrolls 82 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Damariscotta Public Schools holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Maine on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 04543
Children in zip code 04543 are assigned to Damariscotta Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 04543, 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 Damariscotta Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. 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 Damariscotta
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Damariscotta Public Schools serves zip code 04543, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 04543. 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 Damariscotta Public Schools 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 04543.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Damariscotta Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 04543 data.