While the U.S. is one of the most educated countries in the world, it doesn’t provide the same quality elementary school or secondary school education to all students. In many states, more affluent school districts receive a greater amount of funding per student than poorer districts.
Discrepancies between the rich and poor have been exacerbated even more this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income students have suffered the greatest “learning loss” due to partial or total remote learning. One contributing factor is that people in low-income districts are less likely to have the technological resources they need.
States that provide equitable funding to all school districts can help prevent poor students from having lower graduation rates, lower rates of pursuing higher education and smaller future incomes than their wealthy peers. The difference is dramatic: College graduates have $524 - $1,112 higher median weekly earnings than people with a high school diploma and no college experience, depending on the degree.
Maine has the 8th least equitable school districts in the U.S. overall, but some districts within the state are fairer than others. To find out where school funding is distributed most equitably, WalletHub scored 187 districts in Maine based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil. Read on for the district ranking and a complete description of our methodology.
Main Findings
Note: For visual purposes, we included only the top 7 school districts by enrollment from each category.
Most & Least Equitable School Districts in Maine
| Rank* | School District | Score | Expeditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools per Pupil | Income by School District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baileyville Public Schools | 0.52 | $18,285 | $46,168 |
| 2 | Surry Public Schools | 0.65 | $11,371 | $70,703 |
| 3 | Great Salt Bay Csd | 1.23 | $13,110 | $64,191 |
| 4 | Rsu 24 | 1.34 | $17,787 | $48,977 |
| 5 | Hermon Public Schools | 1.37 | $10,650 | $72,865 |
| 6 | Alexander Public Schools | 1.52 | $17,000 | $51,875 |
| 7 | Rsu 18 | 1.66 | $12,595 | $67,631 |
| 8 | Rsu 20 | 2.14 | $19,212 | $44,351 |
| 9 | Rsu 26 | 2.58 | $17,580 | $47,528 |
| 10 | Moosabec Csd | 2.63 | $18,896 | $42,813 |
| 11 | Rsu 33/Msad 33 | 3.00 | $17,487 | $47,625 |
| 12 | Rsu 44/Msad 44 | 3.45 | $15,564 | $54,219 |
| 13 | Lincolnville Public Schools | 3.47 | $14,826 | $60,701 |
| 14 | Rsu 52/Msad 52 | 4.33 | $12,960 | $67,821 |
| 15 | Eustis Public Schools | 4.35 | $25,698 | $22,500 |
| 16 | Rsu 71 | 4.39 | $15,506 | $58,796 |
| 17 | Appleton Public Schools | 4.89 | $16,045 | $57,153 |
| 18 | Castine Public Schools | 5.24 | $14,656 | $62,292 |
| 19 | Dedham Public Schools | 5.88 | $9,444 | $74,643 |
| 20 | Rsu 87/Msad 23 | 6.76 | $12,243 | $71,728 |
| 21 | Rsu 16 | 7.14 | $12,756 | $70,114 |
| 22 | Charlotte Public Schools | 7.29 | $15,725 | $51,500 |
| 23 | Rsu 57/Msad 57 | 7.77 | $13,911 | $66,357 |
| 24 | Rsu 83/Msad 13 | 7.82 | $20,672 | $33,598 |
| 25 | Westbrook Public Schools | 7.84 | $15,860 | $59,460 |
| 26 | Rsu 01 - Lkrsu | 8.29 | $16,120 | $58,787 |
| 27 | Rsu 40/Msad 40 | 8.61 | $14,302 | $55,828 |
| 28 | Rsu 02 | 8.83 | $13,723 | $57,769 |
| 29 | South Bristol Public Schools | 9.02 | $12,438 | $62,237 |
| 30 | Airline Csd | 9.07 | $12,935 | $60,438 |
| 31 | Biddeford Public Schools | 9.21 | $14,969 | $53,120 |
| 32 | Hancock Public Schools | 9.29 | $13,052 | $59,901 |
| 33 | Fayette Public Schools | 9.43 | $13,674 | $68,125 |
| 34 | Brooklin Public Schools | 9.49 | $15,518 | $51,010 |
| 35 | Rsu 06/Msad 06 | 9.89 | $13,383 | $69,421 |
| 36 | Brunswick Public Schools | 10.75 | $16,186 | $59,922 |
| 37 | Rsu 84/Msad 14 | 10.83 | $22,992 | $35,741 |
| 38 | Rsu 74/Msad 74 | 10.84 | $16,796 | $45,711 |
| 39 | Winslow Schools | 11.72 | $14,503 | $53,381 |
| 40 | Winthrop Public Schools | 12.35 | $13,243 | $71,286 |
| 41 | Portland Public Schools | 13.09 | $16,400 | $60,467 |
| 42 | Rsu 70/Msad 70 | 13.24 | $15,535 | $48,859 |
| 43 | Rsu 54/Msad 54 | 13.46 | $15,414 | $49,167 |
| 44 | Brooksville Public Schools | 13.50 | $11,511 | $63,036 |
| 45 | Sanford Public Schools | 13.94 | $14,399 | $52,513 |
| 46 | Rsu 55/Msad 55 | 14.73 | $14,810 | $50,608 |
| 47 | Lisbon Public Schools | 15.11 | $12,795 | $57,568 |
| 48 | Glenburn Public Schools | 15.15 | $11,127 | $63,482 |
| 49 | Rsu 13 | 15.23 | $18,829 | $53,014 |
| 50 | Rsu 82/Msad 12 | 15.35 | $17,577 | $40,417 |
| 51 | Rsu 60/Msad 60 | 15.57 | $13,736 | $71,327 |
| 52 | Ellsworth Public Schools | 15.81 | $13,878 | $53,324 |
| 53 | Rsu 10 | 16.10 | $15,730 | $46,574 |
| 54 | Dayton Public Schools | 16.94 | $3,879 | $88,281 |
| 55 | Rsu 59/Msad 59 | 17.00 | $17,011 | $41,511 |
| 56 | Rsu 04 | 17.00 | $13,844 | $71,744 |
| 57 | Acton Public Schools | 18.11 | $18,546 | $55,625 |
| 58 | Five Town Csd | 18.14 | $16,056 | $64,506 |
| 59 | Easton Public Schools | 18.33 | $16,671 | $41,976 |
| 60 | Rsu 73 | 18.46 | $14,071 | $51,157 |
| 61 | Rsu 56 | 18.54 | $15,613 | $45,625 |
| 62 | Andover Public Schools | 18.83 | $21,645 | $45,000 |
| 63 | Edgecomb Public Schools | 18.88 | $12,379 | $56,950 |
| 64 | Greenville Public Schools | 19.17 | $19,779 | $51,830 |
| 65 | Wiscasset Public Schools | 20.14 | $19,966 | $51,705 |
| 66 | Rsu 31/Msad 31 | 20.18 | $15,770 | $44,153 |
| 67 | Rsu 32/Msad 32 | 20.39 | $16,561 | $41,220 |
| 68 | Rsu 11/Msad 11 | 20.51 | $12,833 | $54,425 |
| 69 | Rsu 61/Msad 61 | 20.52 | $17,319 | $61,339 |
| 70 | Bristol Public Schools | 20.72 | $10,502 | $62,604 |
| 71 | Rsu 64/Msad 64 | 21.32 | $12,749 | $54,271 |
| 72 | Beals Public Schools | 21.68 | $13,769 | $50,441 |
| 73 | St George Public Schools | 21.79 | $19,981 | $52,571 |
| 74 | Orrington Public Schools | 21.95 | $7,996 | $70,833 |
| 75 | East Range Csd | 23.01 | $19,226 | $55,938 |
| 76 | Rsu 42/Msad 42 | 23.31 | $14,041 | $48,561 |
| 77 | Rsu 41/Msad 41 | 23.38 | $17,637 | $35,725 |
| 78 | Veazie Public Schools | 23.76 | $13,188 | $51,346 |
| 79 | Milford Public Schools | 24.31 | $12,540 | $53,349 |
| 80 | Msad 27 | 24.93 | $13,859 | $48,304 |
| 81 | Northport Public Schools | 25.28 | $16,500 | $66,905 |
| 82 | Lamoine Public Schools | 25.42 | $15,794 | $69,500 |
| 83 | Brewer Public Schools | 25.56 | $12,673 | $52,174 |
| 84 | Medway Public Schools | 25.98 | $17,442 | $34,969 |
| 85 | East Millinocket Public Schools | 26.31 | $15,460 | $41,838 |
| 86 | Rsu 03/Msad 03 | 27.01 | $14,522 | $44,784 |
| 87 | Msad 46 | 27.12 | $15,849 | $40,000 |
| 88 | Rsu 49/Msad 49 | 27.17 | $13,849 | $47,091 |
| 89 | Bangor Public Schools | 27.20 | $13,975 | $46,625 |
| 90 | Vassalboro Public Schools | 27.26 | $9,173 | $63,684 |
| 91 | Rsu 25 | 27.42 | $13,304 | $48,892 |
| 92 | Rsu 34 | 27.87 | $13,463 | $48,074 |
| 93 | Rsu 45/Msad 45 | 28.25 | $15,566 | $40,378 |
| 94 | Rsu 58/Msad 58 | 28.27 | $15,966 | $38,942 |
| 95 | Rsu 15/Msad 15 | 28.29 | $14,144 | $76,974 |
| 96 | Rsu 63/Msad 63 | 28.38 | $10,040 | $59,976 |
| 97 | Rsu 21 | 28.56 | $14,370 | $76,316 |
| 98 | Rsu 19 | 29.22 | $13,130 | $48,506 |
| 99 | Rsu 17/Msad 17 | 29.25 | $12,378 | $51,168 |
| 100 | Hope Public Schools | 29.88 | $16,602 | $69,107 |
| 101 | Lewiston Public Schools | 29.88 | $14,146 | $44,523 |
| 102 | Rsu 38 | 30.33 | $15,447 | $73,472 |
| 103 | Mt Desert Csd | 30.79 | $18,013 | $64,594 |
| 104 | Wells-Ogunquit Csd | 30.97 | $17,536 | $66,395 |
| 105 | Rsu 39 | 31.46 | $14,433 | $42,619 |
| 106 | Augusta Public Schools | 32.46 | $13,946 | $43,796 |
| 107 | Madawaska Public Schools | 32.82 | $16,014 | $36,234 |
| 108 | Rsu 79/Msad 01 | 32.90 | $13,883 | $43,776 |
| 109 | Jonesport Public Schools | 33.07 | $15,330 | $38,529 |
| 110 | Waterville Public Schools | 33.51 | $15,168 | $38,862 |
| 111 | Rsu 37/Msad 37 | 33.68 | $14,054 | $42,730 |
| 112 | Caswell Public Schools | 33.79 | $18,316 | $27,500 |
| 113 | Rsu 14 | 33.94 | $14,719 | $78,078 |
| 114 | Rsu 28/Msad 28 | 34.24 | $17,848 | $67,106 |
| 115 | South Portland Public Schools | 34.36 | $17,254 | $69,290 |
| 116 | Woodland Public Schools | 34.60 | $12,571 | $47,500 |
| 117 | Rsu 12 | 35.83 | $8,825 | $60,145 |
| 118 | Eastport Public Schools | 35.93 | $16,035 | $34,427 |
| 119 | Auburn Public Schools | 36.11 | $11,710 | $49,719 |
| 120 | Rsu 75/Msad 75 | 36.26 | $16,210 | $74,063 |
| 121 | Blue Hill Public Schools | 37.06 | $6,119 | $69,087 |
| 122 | Nobleboro Public Schools | 37.62 | $7,420 | $64,145 |
| 123 | Rsu 50 | 37.67 | $14,307 | $39,609 |
| 124 | Saco Public Schools | 37.90 | $5,587 | $70,517 |
| 125 | Sedgwick Public Schools | 38.43 | $9,570 | $56,042 |
| 126 | Rsu 89 | 38.49 | $15,021 | $36,607 |
| 127 | Rsu 85/Msad 19 | 39.75 | $14,670 | $37,156 |
| 128 | Deer Isle-Stonington Csd | 40.80 | $21,971 | $56,091 |
| 129 | Rsu 88/Msad 24 | 41.26 | $16,157 | $31,019 |
| 130 | Greenbush Public Schools | 41.54 | $14,204 | $37,813 |
| 131 | Rsu 80/Msad 04 | 41.66 | $13,532 | $40,139 |
| 132 | Sebago Public Schools | 41.81 | $21,621 | $57,902 |
| 133 | Gorham Public Schools | 41.86 | $14,080 | $84,767 |
| 134 | Perry Public Schools | 41.94 | $9,065 | $55,880 |
| 135 | Rsu 86/Msad 20 | 42.18 | $13,362 | $40,457 |
| 136 | Cherryfield Public Schools | 42.28 | $13,357 | $40,417 |
| 137 | Rsu 23 | 42.67 | $21,705 | $58,080 |
| 138 | West Bath Public Schools | 42.78 | $18,440 | $69,762 |
| 139 | Jefferson Public Schools | 44.22 | $6,920 | $62,245 |
| 140 | Boothbay-Boothbay Hbr Csd | 44.43 | $21,948 | $58,194 |
| 141 | Bar Harbor Public Schools | 45.27 | $19,721 | $66,591 |
| 142 | Millinocket Public Schools | 46.54 | $14,850 | $32,730 |
| 143 | Southwest Harbor Public Schools | 48.44 | $23,188 | $56,017 |
| 144 | Rsu 35/Msad 35 | 49.21 | $14,634 | $86,892 |
| 145 | Calais Public Schools | 49.46 | $14,428 | $32,601 |
| 146 | Penobscot Public Schools | 50.79 | $10,832 | $44,659 |
| 147 | Rsu 05 | 51.50 | $15,576 | $84,820 |
| 148 | Frenchboro Public Schools | 51.90 | $33,500 | $21,250 |
| 149 | Rsu 72/Msad 72 | 55.90 | $7,164 | $54,864 |
| 150 | Kittery Public Schools | 57.95 | $18,375 | $78,451 |
| 151 | Yarmouth Schools | 59.75 | $15,418 | $89,984 |
| 152 | Pembroke Public Schools | 60.43 | $10,796 | $39,412 |
| 153 | Whiting Public Schools | 61.44 | $6,843 | $52,917 |
| 154 | Cranberry Isles Public Schools | 62.80 | $24,765 | $58,417 |
| 155 | Cutler Public Schools | 63.07 | $7,256 | $50,536 |
| 156 | Jonesboro Public Schools | 63.55 | $9,575 | $42,014 |
| 157 | Rsu 29/Msad 29 | 64.35 | $11,070 | $36,250 |
| 158 | Athens Public Schools | 64.74 | $10,707 | $37,321 |
| 159 | Tremont Public Schools | 64.89 | $24,325 | $61,146 |
| 160 | Princeton Public Schools | 65.01 | $11,844 | $33,125 |
| 161 | Trenton Public Schools | 66.26 | $21,957 | $70,341 |
| 162 | Rsu 65/Msad 65 | 66.34 | $27,333 | $51,250 |
| 163 | Rsu 08/Msad 08 | 67.50 | $23,344 | $66,094 |
| 164 | Machiasport Public Schools | 67.65 | $6,213 | $51,696 |
| 165 | Southport Public Schools | 67.79 | $26,560 | $54,808 |
| 166 | Rsu 78 | 70.29 | $26,186 | $57,537 |
| 167 | Machias Public Schools | 71.81 | $12,689 | $26,324 |
| 168 | Scarborough Public Schools | 73.47 | $16,184 | $94,905 |
| 169 | Georgetown Public Schools | 75.10 | $23,867 | $68,472 |
| 170 | Vanceboro Public Schools | 76.95 | $6,286 | $46,250 |
| 171 | Rsu 53/Msad 53 | 77.23 | $6,400 | $45,685 |
| 172 | Harmony Public Schools | 79.50 | $10,100 | $31,250 |
| 173 | Islesboro Public Schools | 83.79 | $26,633 | $63,472 |
| 174 | Rsu 30/Msad 30 | 85.16 | $7,235 | $38,293 |
| 175 | East Machias Public Schools | 88.91 | $5,064 | $43,929 |
| 176 | Mount Desert Public Schools | 90.53 | $23,911 | $76,920 |
| 177 | York Public Schools | 91.93 | $19,519 | $93,333 |
| 178 | Chebeague Island Public Schools | 95.10 | $27,040 | $68,333 |
| 179 | Rsu 68/Msad 68 | 95.99 | $4,451 | $42,162 |
| 180 | Rsu 51/Msad 51 | 113.54 | $17,440 | $112,783 |
| 181 | Falmouth Public Schools | 123.50 | $16,611 | $121,285 |
| 182 | Cape Elizabeth Public Schools | 125.96 | $16,482 | $123,116 |
| 183 | Wesley Public Schools | 126.75 | $35,833 | $54,688 |
| 184 | Msad 76 | 133.60 | $32,735 | $69,531 |
| 185 | Long Island Public Schools | 135.00 | $29,857 | $80,556 |
| 186 | Isle Au Haut Public Schools | 138.02 | $43,833 | $32,500 |
| 187 | Rsu 07/Msad 07 | 138.53 | $33,883 | $68,194 |
*1=Most Equitable
Methodology
In order to rank the states with the most and least equitable school districts, WalletHub first scored 12,927 school districts throughout the U.S. based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil.
For expenditures, for each 1 percent above the state's average we removed 1 point from a base score of 50 points for each district. For household income, for each 1 percent above the state's average we added 1 point to a base score of 50 points for each district. The inverse was true for each 1 percent below the state's average.
The final score for each district was calculated by taking the absolute difference between the score for expenditures and the score for household income. We then ranked the districts based on the total score, with the lowest value, representing the most equitable, being ranked 1.
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics.