Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Sanford

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Main Street, 2014, Sanford MEPhoto: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Sanford · Sanford

Sanford’s public schools score below 64% of Maine districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Sanford, 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.

#95of 142 Maine townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
79%
▼ 5 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
78%
▼ 4 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 4 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.0K
▼ 13% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.7
ME 11.3 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
3,250 students on the public path
In brief

Sanford’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 318 Maine towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sanford’s, its schools beat 49%, higher than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 79% of tested students were proficient in reading and 78% in math, against 84% and 82% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,012 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Sanford Middle School, then Sanford High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Thomas Consolidated 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Sanford’s grade

C− Test scoresB+ Graduation

C+: better than 36% of Maine school districts, #95 of 142 Maine towns. Graduation is above the Maine average; test scores are below it.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 36%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (318)Better than 49%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,478 test results and a graduating class of 272 could put Sanford anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Sanford’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,481 in math, 1,476 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–43 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to C+
5–8Sanford Middle SchoolSanfordC−
9–12Sanford High SchoolSanfordB

Sanford’s public schools are run by Sanford. 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.

SanfordGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 3,250 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 13.7 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$18,012ME $20,630 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading79%
State average 84.1% · 1476 students tested
Math78%
State average 81.5% · 1481 students tested

Sanford vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SanfordC+Sanford
AlfredB+School Administrative District 57
North BerwickB−School Administrative District 60
ShapleighB+School Administrative District 57
LebanonB−School Administrative District 60

Every school in Sanford

6 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 Sanfordby address
Carl J Lamb School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Springvale
D
436 students11:1Rate it →
Margaret Chase Smith
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C+
396 students11:1Rate it →
Sanford Pride Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
383 students12:1Rate it →
Sanford Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C−
920 students14:1Rate it →
Sanford High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
1,115 students18:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Thomas Consolidated School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
117 students12:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Sanford Regional Technical Center).

Questions about Sanford’s schools

Are Sanford’s schools good?

On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sanford children attend score below 64% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #95 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Sanford in?

Sanford, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,250 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Sanford kids go to high school?

Sanford High School, with 1,115 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Sanford’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Sanford graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Sanford spend per student?

$18,012 in Sanford (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Sanford?

Yes: St. Thomas Consolidated School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 117 students).

Parents talk

What Sanford families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sanford → 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.