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A−
Schools in Chelsea · Regional School Unit 12

Chelsea’s public schools outscore 82% of Maine districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Chelsea, 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.

#19of 142 Maine townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2020’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
86%
▲ 2 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
85%
▲ 4 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–13 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2020
Spent per student
$14.6K
▼ 29% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.8
ME 11.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
262 students on the public path
In brief

Chelsea’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 86% and math 85% in spring 2022, against 84% and 82% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2020 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,570 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Spurwink-Chelsea (private) is in town. Every school ↓

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

The School Grade

What’s behind Chelsea’s grade

B Test scoresA Graduation

A−: better than 82% of Maine school districts, #19 of 142 Maine towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maine average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 82%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (248)Better than 86%
Towns in Kennebec County (25)Better than 92%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 626 test results and a graduating class of 71 could put Chelsea anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Chelsea’s students in the tested grades sat them (629 in math, 622 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–8Chelsea Elementary SchoolRegional School Unit 12C

Chelsea’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 12, which also serves Alna, Palermo, Somerville and Westport Island and others. 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 12Grades PK–8 · 5 schools · 877 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 9.8 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$14,570ME $20,630 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading86%
State average 84.1% · 622 students tested
Math85%
State average 81.5% · 629 students tested

Chelsea vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ChelseaA−Regional School Unit 12
HallowellBRegional School Unit 02
FarmingdaleBRegional School Unit 02
PittstonB−School Administrative District 11
WhitefieldA−Regional School Unit 12
AugustaDAugusta
RandolphB−School Administrative District 11

Every school in Chelsea

2 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 Chelseaby address
Chelsea Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
C
262 students8:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Spurwink-Chelsea
Grades 2–12
Private · Special education
35 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Chelsea’s schools

Are Chelsea’s schools good?

By Maine’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chelsea children attend outscore 82% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #19 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020.

What school district is Chelsea in?

Regional School Unit 12, which runs grades PK–8 and enrolls 877 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

What is Chelsea’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2020 in Regional School Unit 12 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Chelsea spend per student?

$14,570 in Regional School Unit 12 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Chelsea?

Yes: Spurwink-Chelsea (special education, grades 2–12, 35 students).

Parents talk

What Chelsea families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2020) 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.