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Schools in Manchester · Regional School Unit 38

Manchester’s public schools outscore 79% of Maine districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Manchester, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
88%
▲ 4 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
85%
▲ 4 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 3–7 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.4K
▼ 6% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.0
ME 11.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
825 students on the public path
In brief

Manchester’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 88% and math 85% 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 $19,404 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 Maranacook Community Middle Sch, then Maranacook Community High Sch. 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 Manchester’s grade

B+ Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 79% of Maine school districts. 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 79%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (225)Better than 75%
Towns in Kennebec County (25)Better than 76%
B−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 548 test results and a graduating class of 86 could put Manchester anywhere from B− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Manchester’s students in the tested grades sat them (547 in math, 548 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Manchester Elementary SchoolRegional School Unit 38A−
6–8Maranacook Community Middle Schin ReadfieldB+
9–12Maranacook Community High Schin ReadfieldA+

Manchester’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 38, which also serves Mount Vernon, Readfield and Wayne. 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 38Grades PK–12 · 6 schools · 1,160 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 10.0 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$19,404ME $20,630 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading88%
State average 84.1% · 548 students tested
Math85%
State average 81.5% · 547 students tested

Manchester vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ManchesterA−Regional School Unit 38
AugustaDAugusta
FarmingdaleBRegional School Unit 02
HallowellBRegional School Unit 02
ReadfieldA−Regional School Unit 38
WinthropB+Winthrop
West GardinerB−School Administrative District 11
BelgradeB+Regional School Unit 18

Every school in Manchester

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).

District schools in Manchesterby address
Manchester Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
150 students9:1Rate it →
Also serving Manchesterin other towns
Maranacook Community Middle Sch
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Readfield
B+
290 students11:1Rate it →
Maranacook Community High Sch
High · Grades 9–12 · Readfield
A+
385 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Manchester’s schools

Are Manchester’s schools good?

By Maine’s own tests, yes: the public schools Manchester children attend outscore 79% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Manchester in?

Regional School Unit 38, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,160 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Manchester kids go to high school?

Maranacook Community High Sch in Readfield, with 385 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Manchester’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Regional School Unit 38 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Manchester spend per student?

$19,404 in Regional School Unit 38 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Manchester families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Manchester → 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.