Frost Garrison and House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0Eliot’s public schools outscore 80% of Maine districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Eliot, 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 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.
Eliot’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 168 Maine towns with household incomes within a quarter of Eliot’s, its schools beat 68%, lower than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 90% and math 84% 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 $18,730 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 Marshwood Middle School, then Marshwood High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Seacoast Waldorf School (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.
What’s behind Eliot’s grade
A−: better than 80% of Maine school districts, #23 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 Eliot, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Eliot
Eliot Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 282 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Eliot
Marshwood Great Works School
Grades 4–5 · 287 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in South Berwick
5th grade in Eliot
Marshwood Great Works School
Grades 4–5 · 287 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in South Berwick
9th grade in Eliot
Marshwood High School
Grades 9–12 · 659 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in South Berwick
10th grade in Eliot
Marshwood High School
Grades 9–12 · 659 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in South Berwick
Eliot’s public schools are run by School Administrative District 35, which also serves South Berwick. 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
Eliot vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maine towns that share Eliot’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Eliot | A− | School Administrative District 35 |
| South Berwick | A− | School Administrative District 35 |
| Kittery | B | Kittery |
| York | A | York |
Dover, NH, Newington, NH and Portsmouth, NH border Eliot but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Eliot
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).
Questions about Eliot’s schools
Are Eliot’s schools good?
By Maine’s own tests, yes: the public schools Eliot children attend outscore 80% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #23 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Eliot in?
School Administrative District 35, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,120 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Eliot kids go to high school?
Marshwood High School in South Berwick, with 659 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Eliot’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in School Administrative District 35 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.
How much does Eliot spend per student?
$18,730 in School Administrative District 35 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Eliot?
Yes: Seacoast Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 112 students).
Parents talk
What Eliot families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Eliot → 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.