Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District operates 15 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 7,500 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 15 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
- Harrison Lyseth Elem School — Grades PK–5 · 489 students
- Amanda C Rowe School — Grades PK–5 · 470 students
- Howard C Reiche Community Sch — Grades PK–5 · 467 students
- Gerald E Talbot Community School — Grades PK–5 · 394 students
- East End Community School — Grades PK–5 · 391 students
- Ocean Avenue — Grades K–5 · 337 students
- Presumpscot School — Grades PK–5 · 266 students
- Longfellow School-Little Deer Isle — Grades PK–5 · 263 students
- Peaks Island School — Grades PK–5 · 41 students
- Cliff Island School — Grades K–5 · 3 students
- Lyman Moore Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 470 students
- King Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 434 students
- Lincoln Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 382 students
- Little Deer Isle High School — Grades 9–12 · 912 students
- Deering High School — Grades 9–12 · 850 students
- Casco Bay High School — Grades 9–12 · 379 students
About Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District
Families in zip code 04650 (Little Deer Isle, Maine) are assigned to Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District for public education through 12. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $15,500 per year, placing it near the Maine state average of approximately $15,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. 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
With 2 schools, Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District operates as a small, community-focused district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 318 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 2/10, placing it in the low-rated tier. 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. 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.
Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District 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 04650
Children in zip code 04650 are assigned to Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District 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 04650, 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 Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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 Little Deer Isle
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District serves zip code 04650, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 04650. 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 Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District 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 04650.
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 Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 04650 data.