Most & Least Equitable School Districts in Maine

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial WriterSep 7, 2023

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial Writer
Sep 7, 2023

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, with one estimate claiming that low-income districts are underfunded by around $6,700 per pupil.

Discrepancies between the rich and poor were exacerbated a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income students suffered the greatest “learning loss” due to partial or total remote learning. One contributing factor was that people in low-income districts are less likely to have the technological resources they need. Now, less fortunate students must struggle to make up the educational ground that they lost due to this lack of resources.

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 $154 - $1,115 higher median weekly earnings than people with a high school diploma and no college experience, depending on the degree.

Maine has the 12th 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 186 districts in Maine based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil.

Table of Contents

Main Findings

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Note: For visual purposes, we included only the top 7 school districts by enrollment from each category. Rank 1 on the “Expenditures Ranking” means highest expenditures and Rank 1 on “Income Ranking” means lowest income.

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	Airline CSD	0.09	$18,915	$60,417
2	RSU 18	0.36	$14,302	$75,259
3	RSU 16	0.39	$15,432	$71,680
4	Lisbon Public Schools	0.82	$16,418	$67,816
5	Hancock Public Schools	1.22	$18,000	$62,540
6	Moosabec CSD	1.71	$21,389	$51,458
7	Wesley Public Schools	1.90	$20,545	$54,028
8	Greenville Public Schools	2.17	$24,283	$41,968
9	RSU 63/MSAD 63	2.40	$14,859	$74,717
10	RSU 84/MSAD 14	2.43	$24,821	$40,098
11	Hermon Public Schools	2.60	$12,306	$82,962
12	Great Salt Bay CSD	2.71	$16,846	$65,313
13	Charlotte Public Schools	2.83	$20,750	$52,813
14	RSU 33/MSAD 33	3.71	$20,927	$56,196
15	Nobleboro Public Schools	3.85	$13,564	$79,716
16	Bristol Public Schools	3.86	$14,502	$72,083
17	Beals Public Schools	3.91	$21,733	$53,750
18	South Bristol Public Schools	4.23	$17,774	$66,544
19	RSU 71	4.45	$20,594	$57,702
20	Appleton Public Schools	4.48	$22,461	$46,375
21	Sanford Public Schools	4.52	$16,390	$65,671
22	Veazie Public Schools	4.81	$18,663	$64,063
23	Sebago Public Schools	5.67	$21,033	$57,037
24	RSU 13	5.74	$21,400	$55,914
25	Pembroke Public Schools	6.49	$19,370	$55,000
26	East Range CSD	7.02	$22,125	$54,375
27	RSU 04	7.03	$15,620	$66,609
28	Orrington Public Schools	7.03	$12,991	$74,977
29	Dayton Public Schools	7.07	$8,473	$97,857
30	RSU 57/MSAD 57	7.92	$16,393	$73,164
31	Winthrop Public Schools	7.94	$16,027	$74,338
32	Eustis Public Schools	8.62	$27,512	$27,803
33	Brunswick Public Schools	9.15	$18,408	$67,488
34	Biddeford Public Schools	9.45	$17,823	$58,142
35	Baileyville Public Schools	9.64	$26,920	$40,694
36	RSU 82/MSAD 12	9.65	$20,813	$48,500
37	RSU 54/MSAD 54	9.70	$19,455	$52,796
38	Perry Public Schools	9.76	$14,505	$68,516
39	RSU 85/MSAD 19	9.77	$20,319	$50,000
40	RSU 12	9.93	$14,184	$69,433
41	Sedgwick Public Schools	10.24	$15,581	$64,803
42	RSU 24	10.37	$22,147	$56,324
43	RSU 31/MSAD 31	10.63	$19,923	$50,744
44	RSU 02	10.72	$17,208	$59,335
45	Edgecomb Public Schools	11.08	$16,691	$74,120
46	RSU 06/MSAD 06	11.29	$15,864	$76,878
47	RSU 83/MSAD 13	11.62	$24,319	$36,154
48	Portland Public Schools	11.72	$19,328	$66,109
49	Saco Public Schools	11.90	$12,784	$72,700
50	RSU 56	12.50	$18,483	$54,201
51	Ellsworth Public Schools	12.66	$17,249	$58,029
52	RSU 52/MSAD 52	12.87	$15,619	$78,612
53	Lincolnville Public Schools	12.91	$17,909	$71,346
54	RSU 26	13.00	$19,320	$51,233
55	Wiscasset Public Schools	13.12	$21,648	$59,569
56	Westbrook Public Schools	13.46	$18,017	$71,335
57	RSU 61/MSAD 61	13.62	$20,668	$62,994
58	RSU 11/MSAD 11	14.24	$15,485	$62,696
59	Five Town CSD	14.28	$17,406	$73,771
60	RSU 78	14.48	$22,832	$56,625
61	Glenburn Public Schools	14.74	$14,508	$65,504
62	Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD	14.76	$22,766	$57,000
63	Lamoine Public Schools	14.82	$17,467	$73,906
64	Greenbush Public Schools	14.86	$19,099	$50,818
65	Brooklin Public Schools	15.25	$17,966	$54,191
66	Fayette Public Schools	15.63	$17,835	$54,375
67	RSU 55/MSAD 55	15.69	$17,118	$56,623
68	Deer Isle-Stonington CSD	16.49	$22,410	$59,178
69	RSU 40/MSAD 40	16.72	$16,595	$57,669
70	RSU 38	18.36	$17,770	$75,074
71	Andover Public Schools	18.49	$21,293	$41,645
72	RSU 73	19.19	$16,118	$57,696
73	RSU 10	19.45	$18,802	$48,996
74	Vassalboro Public Schools	19.60	$13,034	$67,264
75	Winslow Schools	20.21	$17,012	$54,236
76	RSU 41/MSAD 41	20.52	$19,047	$47,572
77	RSU 59/MSAD 59	20.72	$20,030	$44,321
78	Southport Public Schools	21.38	$23,235	$59,500
79	Mt Desert CSD	21.53	$20,650	$67,816
80	MSAD 46	21.83	$19,149	$46,455
81	RSU 74/MSAD 74	22.30	$19,062	$46,447
82	RSU 75/MSAD 75	22.53	$17,605	$78,110
83	RSU 03/MSAD 03	23.28	$16,244	$54,827
84	RSU 64/MSAD 64	23.35	$15,308	$57,763
85	Surry Public Schools	23.94	$11,931	$68,158
86	Easton Public Schools	24.15	$19,525	$43,864
87	Medway Public Schools	24.32	$22,363	$34,728
88	RSU 01 - Lkrsu	24.77	$19,728	$72,708
89	Bangor Public Schools	24.87	$17,569	$49,652
90	Milford Public Schools	25.14	$15,429	$56,303
91	Wells-Ogunquit CSD	25.44	$20,118	$71,870
92	Limestone Public Schools	25.67	$29,585	$41,875
93	Acton Public Schools	25.89	$21,051	$69,167
94	RSU 49/MSAD 49	25.99	$16,202	$53,331
95	Jonesport Public Schools	26.26	$19,161	$43,750
96	Madawaska Public Schools	27.17	$19,445	$42,296
97	RSU 42/MSAD 42	27.38	$15,267	$55,469
98	Dedham Public Schools	27.59	$15,692	$87,250
99	RSU 79/MSAD 01	27.67	$16,855	$50,238
100	Penobscot Public Schools	27.67	$17,872	$47,000
101	RSU 23	27.67	$25,600	$55,766
102	Castine Public Schools	27.69	$16,243	$85,556
103	RSU 58/MSAD 58	28.01	$20,007	$40,000
104	RSU 60/MSAD 60	28.18	$16,920	$83,701
105	Princeton Public Schools	28.36	$17,041	$49,231
106	South Portland Public Schools	28.59	$20,076	$73,899
107	RSU 37/MSAD 37	29.21	$17,196	$48,221
108	RSU 19	29.24	$15,399	$53,925
109	Waterville Public Schools	29.49	$19,335	$41,245
110	Jefferson Public Schools	30.15	$11,169	$66,842
111	Brooksville Public Schools	30.16	$15,542	$52,917
112	RSU 32/MSAD 32	30.33	$18,828	$42,353
113	RSU 25	30.40	$15,723	$52,192
114	Northport Public Schools	30.71	$22,695	$66,842
115	MSAD 27	31.12	$15,229	$53,333
116	RSU 70/MSAD 70	31.32	$17,233	$46,837
117	St George Public Schools	31.56	$24,234	$62,455
118	RSU 17/MSAD 17	31.70	$15,064	$53,509
119	Lewiston Public Schools	32.00	$16,716	$48,069
120	RSU 35/MSAD 35	32.05	$16,448	$87,534
121	RSU 05	33.12	$17,018	$86,367
122	Eastport Public Schools	33.19	$19,222	$39,375
123	Auburn Public Schools	33.58	$14,113	$55,402
124	RSU 50	33.81	$16,496	$47,679
125	Kittery Public Schools	34.16	$21,432	$72,941
126	RSU 44/MSAD 44	34.42	$18,609	$40,583
127	Whiting Public Schools	35.02	$15,946	$48,702
128	RSU 14	35.22	$17,710	$85,428
129	RSU 45/MSAD 45	35.31	$17,363	$44,015
130	Brewer Public Schools	36.12	$15,137	$50,614
131	RSU 21	36.58	$17,131	$88,094
132	Gorham Public Schools	37.12	$16,494	$90,446
133	RSU 15/MSAD 15	37.38	$16,913	$89,269
134	RSU 39	37.61	$16,875	$44,183
135	RSU 86/MSAD 20	37.64	$16,701	$44,719
136	RSU 20	38.19	$26,608	$58,897
137	Hope Public Schools	38.35	$21,802	$74,288
138	RSU 34	38.42	$15,837	$46,997
139	Cherryfield Public Schools	38.51	$19,860	$34,141
140	Bar Harbor Public Schools	38.67	$22,614	$71,900
141	RSU 88/MSAD 24	39.82	$20,308	$31,921
142	Woodland Public Schools	39.83	$12,675	$56,210
143	RSU 80/MSAD 04	40.44	$16,353	$44,139
144	RSU 89	40.51	$17,171	$41,490
145	East Millinocket Public Schools	41.22	$17,230	$40,875
146	Caswell Public Schools	41.32	$18,000	$38,365
147	Machiasport Public Schools	42.11	$13,598	$51,900
148	Millinocket Public Schools	42.15	$17,092	$40,755
149	Yarmouth Schools	43.25	$17,498	$90,942
150	RSU 28/MSAD 28	43.34	$19,734	$83,880
151	Blue Hill Public Schools	44.05	$12,707	$53,566
152	Athens Public Schools	46.74	$16,721	$39,167
153	Augusta Public Schools	47.37	$16,203	$40,438
154	RSU 72/MSAD 72	47.41	$11,395	$55,717
155	Cranberry Isles Public Schools	48.11	$28,533	$58,750
156	RSU 29/MSAD 29	49.03	$13,364	$48,470
157	Harmony Public Schools	49.08	$18,448	$32,259
158	Alexander Public Schools	50.01	$24,050	$74,167
159	Islesboro Public Schools	50.33	$26,106	$67,813
160	Jonesboro Public Schools	50.56	$13,324	$47,679
161	Long Island Public Schools	52.16	$24,588	$73,750
162	Cutler Public Schools	53.30	$12,311	$49,250
163	East Machias Public Schools	53.54	$11,245	$52,500
164	RSU 30/MSAD 30	53.61	$14,909	$40,795
165	Calais Public Schools	53.81	$15,432	$39,009
166	Trenton Public Schools	55.82	$29,656	$59,821
167	RSU 53/MSAD 53	57.58	$11,693	$48,635
168	Vanceboro Public Schools	58.13	$11,750	$48,125
169	Southwest Harbor Public Schools	62.53	$34,500	$48,452
170	RSU 08/MSAD 08	64.91	$25,988	$76,979
171	RSU 68/MSAD 68	71.78	$9,470	$47,153
172	Scarborough Public Schools	73.53	$18,515	$105,960
173	RSU 87/MSAD 23	80.07	$28,717	$77,432
174	West Bath Public Schools	80.42	$25,588	$87,600
175	York Public Schools	81.57	$21,486	$101,352
176	Machias Public Schools	81.80	$14,996	$23,525
177	Tremont Public Schools	82.58	$31,714	$69,402
178	Mount Desert Public Schools	87.48	$31,669	$72,500
179	RSU 51/MSAD 51	93.58	$19,104	$116,172
180	Georgetown Public Schools	100.91	$33,642	$74,318
181	Eagle Lake Public Schools	121.99	$3,190	$36,875
182	Cape Elizabeth Public Schools	122.77	$20,444	$129,503
183	Falmouth Public Schools	129.37	$20,654	$132,817
184	Chebeague Island Public Schools	133.89	$46,154	$54,375
185	RSU 07/MSAD 07	142.20	$40,462	$77,500
186	MSAD 76	178.78	$48,520	$73,906

*1=Most Equitable

Methodology

In order to rank the states with the most and least equitable school districts, WalletHub first scored 12,870 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 of the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics.

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