Samuel Penney House · Photo: Jehosafatarmbender · CC BY-SA 3.0Mechanic Falls’s public schools score below 76% of Maine districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Mechanic Falls, 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.
Mechanic Falls’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 84% of tested students were proficient in reading and 81% in math, against 84% and 82% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine (the state reports Mechanic Falls’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,474 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 7 the district’s path is Bruce M Whittier Middle School, then Poland Regional H S. 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 Mechanic Falls’s grade
C−: better than 24% of Maine school districts, #113 of 142 Maine towns. Both inputs trail the Maine average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Mechanic Falls, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Mechanic Falls
Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls
Grades PK–6 · 241 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Mechanic Falls
Bruce M Whittier Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 272 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Poland
8th grade in Mechanic Falls
Bruce M Whittier Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 272 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Poland
9th grade in Mechanic Falls
Poland Regional H S
Grades 9–12 · 506 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Poland
10th grade in Mechanic Falls
Poland Regional H S
Grades 9–12 · 506 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Poland
11th grade in Mechanic Falls
Poland Regional H S
Grades 9–12 · 506 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Poland
12th grade in Mechanic Falls
Poland Regional H S
Grades 9–12 · 506 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Poland
Mechanic Falls’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 16, which also serves Minot and Poland. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Mechanic Falls vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maine towns that share Mechanic Falls’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanic Falls | C− | Regional School Unit 16 |
| Poland | C− | Regional School Unit 16 |
| Minot | C− | Regional School Unit 16 |
| Oxford | D | School Administrative District 17 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Regional School Unit 16 with Mechanic Falls, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Mechanic Falls
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).
Questions about Mechanic Falls’s schools
Are Mechanic Falls’s schools good?
On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Mechanic Falls children attend score below 76% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #113 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mechanic Falls in?
Regional School Unit 16, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,671 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Mechanic Falls kids go to high school?
Poland Regional H S in Poland, with 506 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Mechanic Falls’s graduation rate?
75–79% of the class of 2023 in Regional School Unit 16 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.
How much does Mechanic Falls spend per student?
$17,474 in Regional School Unit 16 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Mechanic Falls families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mechanic Falls → 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.