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Belfast, Maine downtownPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
C
Schools in Belfast · Regional School Unit 71

Belfast’s public schools score below 70% of Maine districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Belfast, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maine, not nationally.

#101of 142 Maine townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
79%
▼ 5 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
80%
▼ 2 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.7K
▲ 0% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.0
ME 11.3
Schools in town
5
1,137 students on the public path
In brief

Belfast’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 314 Maine towns with household incomes within a quarter of Belfast’s, its schools beat 44%, higher than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 79% of tested students were proficient in reading and 80% in math, against 84% and 82% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine (the state reports Belfast’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,671 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Troy A Howard Middle School, then Belfast Area High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Cornerspring Montessori School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Belfast’s grade

C Test scoresC+ Graduation

C: better than 30% of Maine school districts, #101 of 142 Maine towns. Both inputs trail the Maine average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 30%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (314)Better than 44%
C−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 694 test results and a graduating class of 123 could put Belfast anywhere from C− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Belfast’s students in the tested grades sat them (696 in math, 692 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Belfast, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC−
6–8Troy A Howard Middle SchoolRegional School Unit 71C
9–12Belfast Area High SchoolRegional School Unit 71B

Belfast’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 71, which also serves Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont and Swanville. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Regional School Unit 71Grades PK–12 · 7 schools · 1,396 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 11.0 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$20,671ME $20,630 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading79%
State average 84.1% · 692 students tested
Math80%
State average 81.5% · 696 students tested

Belfast vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Maine towns that share Belfast’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BelfastCRegional School Unit 71
Northport—Northport
SearsportC−Regional School Unit 20
Waldo—School Administrative District 03

Every school in Belfast

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maine’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Belfastby address
Captain Albert W. Stevens School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
232 students10:1Rate it →
East Belfast School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
99 students10:1Rate it →
Troy A Howard Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
330 students11:1Rate it →
Belfast Area High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
476 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Cornerspring Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Nonsectarian
77 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Belfast’s schools

Are Belfast’s schools good?

On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Belfast children attend score below 70% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #101 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Belfast in?

Regional School Unit 71, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,396 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Belfast kids go to high school?

Belfast Area High School, with 476 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Belfast’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Regional School Unit 71 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Belfast spend per student?

$20,671 in Regional School Unit 71 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Belfast?

Yes: Cornerspring Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 77 students).

Parents talk

What Belfast families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Belfast → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maine. Stars are from neighbors.