Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Bowdoin’s public schools outscore 78% of Maine districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bowdoin, 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.
From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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.
Bowdoin’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 229 Maine towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bowdoin’s, its schools beat 73%, lower than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 86% and math 86% in spring 2022, against 84% and 82% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,153 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 Mt Ararat Middle School, then Mt Ararat High School. See the path ↓
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.
What’s behind Bowdoin’s grade
A−: better than 78% of Maine school districts, #28 of 142 Maine towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maine average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bowdoin, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Bowdoin
Bowdoin Central School
Grades PK–5 · 194 students · 11:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Bowdoin
Bowdoin Central School
Grades PK–5 · 194 students · 11:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Bowdoin
Bowdoin Central School
Grades PK–5 · 194 students · 11:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Bowdoin
Bowdoin Central School
Grades PK–5 · 194 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Bowdoin
Bowdoin Central School
Grades PK–5 · 194 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Bowdoin
Bowdoin Central School
Grades PK–5 · 194 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Bowdoin
Mt Ararat Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 533 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Topsham
7th grade in Bowdoin
Mt Ararat Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 533 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Topsham
8th grade in Bowdoin
Mt Ararat Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 533 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Topsham
9th grade in Bowdoin
Mt Ararat High School
Grades 9–12 · 732 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Topsham
10th grade in Bowdoin
Mt Ararat High School
Grades 9–12 · 732 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Topsham
Bowdoin’s public schools are run by School Administrative District 75, which also serves Bowdoinham, Harpswell and Topsham. 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.
Above the state in reading
Bowdoin vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maine towns that share Bowdoin’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bowdoin | A− | School Administrative District 75 |
| Lisbon | C | Lisbon |
| Richmond | — | Richmond |
| Topsham | A− | School Administrative District 75 |
| Bowdoinham | A− | School Administrative District 75 |
| Litchfield | C− | Regional School Unit 04 |
2 of the 5 neighbors share School Administrative District 75 with Bowdoin, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Bowdoin
3 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).
Questions about Bowdoin’s schools
Are Bowdoin’s schools good?
By Maine’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bowdoin children attend outscore 78% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #28 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bowdoin in?
School Administrative District 75, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,301 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bowdoin kids go to high school?
Mt Ararat High School in Topsham, with 732 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Bowdoin’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in School Administrative District 75 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.
How much does Bowdoin spend per student?
$20,153 in School Administrative District 75 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Bowdoin families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bowdoin → 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.