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B−
Schools in West Gardiner · School Administrative District 11

West Gardiner’s public schools score below 53% of Maine districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving West Gardiner, 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.

#70of 142 Maine townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
84%
▼ 0 pts vs ME 84%
2021–22
Math proficiency
84%
▲ 2 pts vs ME 82%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs ME 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.8K
▼ 19% vs ME $20.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.1
ME 11.3 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
1,235 students on the public path
In brief

West Gardiner’s schools, in brief

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 84% and math 84% 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 $16,783 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 Gardiner Regional Middle School, then Gardiner Area High School. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Grace Christian Academy (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 West Gardiner’s grade

B− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B−: better than 47% of Maine school districts, #70 of 142 Maine towns. Test scores are above the Maine average; graduation is below it.

Maine school districts we grade (177)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maine towns with similar household incomes (197)Better than 43%
Towns in Kennebec County (25)Better than 32%
CB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 975 test results and a graduating class of 168 could put West Gardiner anywhere from C to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of West Gardiner’s students in the tested grades sat them (975 in math, 975 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Helen Thompson SchoolSchool Administrative District 11C
6–8Gardiner Regional Middle Schoolin GardinerB
9–12Gardiner Area High Schoolin GardinerA−

West Gardiner’s public schools are run by School Administrative District 11, which also serves Gardiner, Pittston and Randolph. 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.

School Administrative District 11Grades PK–12 · 6 schools · 1,846 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 12.1 per teacher (ME 11.3)
$16,783ME $20,630 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading84%
State average 84.1% · 975 students tested
Math84%
State average 81.5% · 975 students tested

West Gardiner vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
West GardinerB−School Administrative District 11
LitchfieldC−Regional School Unit 04
GardinerB−School Administrative District 11
FarmingdaleBRegional School Unit 02
ManchesterA−Regional School Unit 38
WinthropB+Winthrop
MonmouthBRegional School Unit 02

Every school in West Gardiner

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).

District schools in West Gardinerby address
Helen Thompson School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
245 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving West Gardinerin other towns
Gardiner Regional Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Gardiner
B
425 students11:1Rate it →
Gardiner Area High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Gardiner
A−
565 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Grace Christian Academy
Grades K–11
Private · Religious
24 students5:1Rate it →

Questions about West Gardiner’s schools

Are West Gardiner’s schools good?

On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools West Gardiner children attend score below 53% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #70 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is West Gardiner in?

School Administrative District 11, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,846 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do West Gardiner kids go to high school?

Gardiner Area High School in Gardiner, with 565 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is West Gardiner’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in School Administrative District 11 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.

How much does West Gardiner spend per student?

$16,783 in School Administrative District 11 (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in West Gardiner?

Yes: Grace Christian Academy (religious, grades K–11, 24 students).

Parents talk

What West Gardiner families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Gardiner → 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.