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BethelME CommonPhoto: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Bethel · School Administrative District 44

Bethel’s public schools score below 68% of Maine districts on tests and graduation

The four-year graduation rate in Bethel’s district is 74%, below the Maine average (87%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bethel, 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.

≈could be anywhere from D to A−#97of 142 Maine townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
89%
▲ 5 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
86%
▲ 4 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
70–79%
▼ 8–17 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.2K
▲ 3% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.0
ME 11.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
597 students on the public path
In brief

Bethel’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 283 Maine towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bethel’s, its schools beat 48%, higher than their 32% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 89% and math 86% in spring 2022, against 84% and 82% statewide; 70–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,162 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Telstar Middle School, then Telstar High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Gould Academy (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 Bethel’s grade

A− Test scoresD− Graduation

C: better than 32% of Maine school districts, #97 of 142 Maine towns. Test scores are above the Maine average; graduation is below it.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 32%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (283)Better than 48%
Towns in Oxford County (31)Better than 55%
DA−A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 296 test results and a graduating class of 49 could put Bethel anywhere from D to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Bethel’s students in the tested grades sat them (298 in math, 294 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Crescent Park SchoolSchool Administrative District 44C+
6–8Telstar Middle SchoolSchool Administrative District 44B
9–12Telstar High SchoolSchool Administrative District 44B+

Bethel’s public schools are run by School Administrative District 44, which also serves Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock. 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.

School Administrative District 44Grades PK–12 · 4 schools · 664 students · 10.0 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$21,162ME $20,630 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading89%
State average 84.1% · 294 students tested
Math86%
State average 81.5% · 298 students tested

Bethel vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BethelCSchool Administrative District 44
Hanover—Regional School Unit 10
RumfordDRegional School Unit 10
Newry—School Administrative District 44
WoodstockCSchool Administrative District 44
Greenwood—School Administrative District 44

3 of the 5 neighbors share School Administrative District 44 with Bethel, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Bethel

4 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 Bethelby address
Crescent Park School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
263 students11:1Rate it →
Telstar Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
155 students9:1Rate it →
Telstar High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
179 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Gould Academy
High · Grades 8–12
Private · Nonsectarian
214 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Bethel’s schools

Are Bethel’s schools good?

On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bethel children attend score below 68% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #97 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bethel in?

School Administrative District 44, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 664 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Bethel kids go to high school?

Telstar High School, with 179 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Bethel’s graduation rate?

70–79% of the class of 2023 in School Administrative District 44 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Bethel spend per student?

$21,162 in School Administrative District 44 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Bethel?

Yes: Gould Academy (nonsectarian, grades 8–12, 214 students).

Parents talk

What Bethel families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bethel → 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.