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Main Street, Canton, MEPhoto: Unknown photographer · Public domain
C−
Schools in Canton · Regional School Unit 56

Canton’s public schools score below 82% of Maine districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Canton, 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 B−K–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
78%
▼ 6 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
74%
▼ 8 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–89%
▼ 2–7 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.8K
▼ 4% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
ME 11.3 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
720 students on the public path
In brief

Canton’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 232 Maine towns with household incomes within a quarter of Canton’s, its schools beat 26%, higher than their 18% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 78% of tested students were proficient in reading and 74% in math, against 84% and 82% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine (the state reports Canton’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,797 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 T W Kelly Dirigo Middle School, then Dirigo 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Canton’s grade

D Test scoresC Graduation

C−: better than 18% of Maine school districts. Both inputs trail the Maine average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 18%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (232)Better than 26%
Towns in Oxford County (31)Better than 45%
DB−A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 358 test results and a graduating class of 56 could put Canton anywhere from D to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Canton’s students in the tested grades sat them (358 in math, 357 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Dirigo Elementary Schoolin PeruD
6–8T W Kelly Dirigo Middle Schoolin DixfieldC−
9–12Dirigo High Schoolin DixfieldA−

Canton’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 56, which also serves Carthage, Dixfield and Peru. 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 56Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 720 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 12.6 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$19,797ME $20,630 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading78%
State average 84.1% · 357 students tested
Math74%
State average 81.5% · 358 students tested

Canton vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CantonC−Regional School Unit 56
PeruC−Regional School Unit 56
JayDRegional School Unit 73
HartfordDRegional School Unit 10
LivermoreDRegional School Unit 73
DixfieldC−Regional School Unit 56

2 of the 5 neighbors share Regional School Unit 56 with Canton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Canton

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).

Also serving Cantonin other towns
Dirigo Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Peru
D
324 students12:1Rate it →
T W Kelly Dirigo Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Dixfield
C−
180 students15:1Rate it →
Dirigo High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Dixfield
A−
216 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Canton’s schools

Are Canton’s schools good?

On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Canton children attend score below 82% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Canton in?

Regional School Unit 56, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 720 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Canton kids go to high school?

Dirigo High School in Dixfield, with 216 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Canton’s graduation rate?

80–89% of the class of 2023 in Regional School Unit 56 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Canton spend per student?

$19,797 in Regional School Unit 56 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Canton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Canton → 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.