Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0Durham’s public schools outscore 93% of Maine districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Durham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Durham’s districts is 92%, above the Maine average (82%). 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 100% 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.
Durham’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 92% and math 92% in spring 2022, against 84% and 82% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,740 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one high school
From grade 9 the district’s path is Freeport 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 Durham’s grade
A: better than 93% of Maine school districts, #6 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 Durham, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Durham
Durham Community School
Grades PK–8 · 469 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Durham
Freeport High School
Grades 9–12 · 593 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Freeport
10th grade in Durham
Freeport High School
Grades 9–12 · 593 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Freeport
Durham’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 05, which also serves Freeport and Pownal. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Durham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maine towns that share Durham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | A | Regional School Unit 05 |
| Lisbon | C | Lisbon |
| Topsham | A− | School Administrative District 75 |
| Lewiston | D− | Lewiston |
| Auburn | C+ | Auburn |
| Pownal | A | Regional School Unit 05 |
| Freeport | A | Regional School Unit 05 |
| Brunswick | A− | Brunswick |
| New Gloucester | B− | School Administrative District 15 |
2 of the 8 neighbors share Regional School Unit 05 with Durham, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Durham
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).
Questions about Durham’s schools
Are Durham’s schools good?
By Maine’s own tests, yes: the public schools Durham children attend outscore 93% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #6 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Durham in?
Regional School Unit 05, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,001 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Durham kids go to high school?
Freeport High School in Freeport, with 593 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Durham’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Regional School Unit 05 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.
How much does Durham spend per student?
$18,740 in Regional School Unit 05 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Durham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Durham → 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.