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B+
Schools in Sidney · Regional School Unit 18

Sidney’s public schools outscore 67% of Maine districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Sidney, 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.

#44of 142 Maine townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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
87%
▲ 6 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.9K
▼ 28% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.0
ME 11.3 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
1,660 students on the public path
In brief

Sidney’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 88% and math 87% in spring 2022, against 84% and 82% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,886 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Nfi Sidney River Bend 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 Sidney’s grade

A− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B+: better than 67% of Maine school districts, #44 of 142 Maine towns. Test scores are above the Maine average; graduation is below it.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 67%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (268)Better than 69%
Towns in Kennebec County (25)Better than 52%
B−A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,354 test results and a graduating class of 181 could put Sidney anywhere from B− to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Sidney’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,353 in math, 1,354 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5James H Bean SchoolRegional School Unit 18A
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+
9–12Messalonskee High Schoolin OaklandA−

Sidney’s public schools are run by Regional School Unit 18, which also serves Belgrade, China, Oakland and Rome. 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 18Grades PK–12 · 8 schools · 2,554 students · 13.0 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$14,886ME $20,630 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading88%
State average 84.1% · 1354 students tested
Math87%
State average 81.5% · 1353 students tested

Sidney vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SidneyB+Regional School Unit 18
VassalboroDVassalboro
BelgradeB+Regional School Unit 18
OaklandB+Regional School Unit 18
AugustaDAugusta

2 of the 4 neighbors share Regional School Unit 18 with Sidney, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Sidney

5 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 Sidneyby address
James H Bean School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
300 students14:1Rate it →
Also serving Sidneyin other towns
China Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · China
B+
170 students12:1Rate it →
Messalonskee Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Oakland
B
495 students13:1Rate it →
Messalonskee High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Oakland
A−
695 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Nfi Sidney River Bend School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Special education
8 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Sidney’s schools

Are Sidney’s schools good?

By Maine’s own tests, yes: the public schools Sidney children attend outscore 67% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #44 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 69%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Sidney in?

Regional School Unit 18, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,554 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Sidney kids go to high school?

Messalonskee High School in Oakland, with 695 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Sidney’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Regional School Unit 18 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does Sidney spend per student?

$14,886 in Regional School Unit 18 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Sidney?

Yes: Nfi Sidney River Bend School (special education, grades 9–12, 8 students).

Parents talk

What Sidney families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sidney → 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.