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 have been exacerbated even more due to the lasting impact of 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 $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 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 185 districts in Maine based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil.
Main Findings
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 | Rsu 18 | 0.36 | $12,343 | $70,577 |
| 2 | Hancock Public Schools | 0.52 | $15,139 | $59,762 |
| 3 | Andover Public Schools | 1.05 | $19,615 | $42,961 |
| 4 | Glenburn Public Schools | 1.21 | $11,181 | $73,950 |
| 5 | Lincolnville Public Schools | 1.83 | $13,397 | $65,423 |
| 6 | Castine Public Schools | 2.27 | $13,403 | $65,147 |
| 7 | Rsu 31/Msad 31 | 2.32 | $17,667 | $49,406 |
| 8 | Rsu 16 | 2.38 | $12,133 | $69,764 |
| 9 | Rsu 82/Msad 12 | 2.47 | $18,510 | $49,075 |
| 10 | Bristol Public Schools | 3.10 | $12,905 | $66,500 |
| 11 | Greenville Public Schools | 3.21 | $19,953 | $44,185 |
| 12 | Rsu 61/Msad 61 | 3.52 | $17,218 | $54,445 |
| 13 | Great Salt Bay Csd | 4.10 | $13,781 | $62,695 |
| 14 | Rsu 24 | 4.85 | $17,377 | $54,628 |
| 15 | Rsu 06/Msad 06 | 5.65 | $13,108 | $70,826 |
| 16 | Dayton Public Schools | 5.74 | $7,216 | $92,589 |
| 17 | Rsu 02 | 5.78 | $14,626 | $58,610 |
| 18 | Winthrop Public Schools | 5.79 | $13,129 | $70,828 |
| 19 | Rsu 41/Msad 41 | 6.00 | $19,317 | $41,196 |
| 20 | Hermon Public Schools | 6.05 | $10,899 | $79,194 |
| 21 | Baileyville Public Schools | 6.06 | $19,116 | $48,920 |
| 22 | Jonesport Public Schools | 6.08 | $16,515 | $51,471 |
| 23 | Ellsworth Public Schools | 6.09 | $14,004 | $60,718 |
| 24 | Rsu 84/Msad 14 | 6.28 | $21,534 | $40,137 |
| 25 | Edgecomb Public Schools | 6.50 | $13,720 | $69,063 |
| 26 | Rsu 04 | 6.57 | $13,422 | $70,198 |
| 27 | Moosabec Csd | 6.62 | $16,512 | $51,169 |
| 28 | Rsu 26 | 7.42 | $17,637 | $46,563 |
| 29 | Veazie Public Schools | 7.78 | $13,667 | $60,982 |
| 30 | Nobleboro Public Schools | 7.81 | $12,626 | $73,849 |
| 31 | South Bristol Public Schools | 9.09 | $13,220 | $61,875 |
| 32 | Dedham Public Schools | 9.09 | $9,827 | $74,375 |
| 33 | Rsu 10 | 9.55 | $17,286 | $46,621 |
| 34 | Rsu 57/Msad 57 | 10.16 | $14,650 | $67,754 |
| 35 | Rsu 52/Msad 52 | 10.19 | $13,210 | $73,078 |
| 36 | Rsu 71 | 10.28 | $16,419 | $61,302 |
| 37 | Sanford Public Schools | 10.43 | $13,981 | $58,294 |
| 38 | Rsu 87/Msad 23 | 11.15 | $12,696 | $75,526 |
| 39 | Rsu 33/Msad 33 | 11.47 | $16,181 | $49,583 |
| 40 | Biddeford Public Schools | 11.56 | $14,720 | $54,915 |
| 41 | Brooklin Public Schools | 11.67 | $15,867 | $50,625 |
| 42 | Orrington Public Schools | 12.11 | $9,617 | $73,401 |
| 43 | Acton Public Schools | 12.27 | $18,498 | $54,798 |
| 44 | Rsu 60/Msad 60 | 12.97 | $14,095 | $71,424 |
| 45 | Portland Public Schools | 13.38 | $16,800 | $61,695 |
| 46 | Airline Csd | 13.53 | $12,911 | $60,441 |
| 47 | Rsu 13 | 13.55 | $19,236 | $52,818 |
| 48 | Rsu 73 | 13.67 | $14,162 | $55,745 |
| 49 | Rsu 11/Msad 11 | 14.44 | $13,366 | $58,236 |
| 50 | Rsu 74/Msad 74 | 14.46 | $16,939 | $45,056 |
| 51 | Rsu 01 - Lkrsu | 14.49 | $16,630 | $62,967 |
| 52 | Brunswick Public Schools | 15.12 | $15,716 | $66,699 |
| 53 | Appleton Public Schools | 15.30 | $15,250 | $50,795 |
| 54 | Rsu 54/Msad 54 | 15.30 | $15,652 | $49,313 |
| 55 | Rsu 55/Msad 55 | 15.39 | $14,529 | $53,400 |
| 56 | Rsu 40/Msad 40 | 15.47 | $14,782 | $52,422 |
| 57 | Rsu 59/Msad 59 | 15.47 | $16,955 | $44,414 |
| 58 | Lisbon Public Schools | 16.57 | $12,682 | $59,519 |
| 59 | Rsu 44/Msad 44 | 16.69 | $16,010 | $47,188 |
| 60 | Winslow Schools | 16.93 | $14,760 | $51,656 |
| 61 | Alexander Public Schools | 17.31 | $18,024 | $59,464 |
| 62 | Medway Public Schools | 17.44 | $19,208 | $34,968 |
| 63 | Lamoine Public Schools | 17.67 | $15,090 | $70,484 |
| 64 | Sedgwick Public Schools | 18.04 | $11,466 | $63,152 |
| 65 | Wiscasset Public Schools | 18.91 | $18,965 | $56,919 |
| 66 | St George Public Schools | 19.75 | $20,134 | $53,098 |
| 67 | Southport Public Schools | 19.93 | $19,943 | $53,906 |
| 68 | Rsu 83/Msad 13 | 19.99 | $19,039 | $34,112 |
| 69 | Rsu 42/Msad 42 | 20.23 | $13,918 | $52,845 |
| 70 | Rsu 56 | 20.36 | $14,747 | $49,719 |
| 71 | Eustis Public Schools | 20.58 | $21,089 | $26,217 |
| 72 | Easton Public Schools | 20.75 | $16,914 | $41,506 |
| 73 | Rsu 32/Msad 32 | 20.76 | $17,623 | $38,885 |
| 74 | Rsu 70/Msad 70 | 21.50 | $13,982 | $51,875 |
| 75 | Charlotte Public Schools | 21.53 | $20,633 | $52,292 |
| 76 | Boothbay-Boothbay Hbr Csd | 21.55 | $20,011 | $54,594 |
| 77 | Hope Public Schools | 21.60 | $15,293 | $72,013 |
| 78 | Rsu 03/Msad 03 | 21.88 | $14,285 | $50,537 |
| 79 | Sebago Public Schools | 22.22 | $18,730 | $59,706 |
| 80 | East Millinocket Public Schools | 22.31 | $15,947 | $44,167 |
| 81 | Jefferson Public Schools | 22.33 | $10,968 | $62,500 |
| 82 | Fayette Public Schools | 22.77 | $14,723 | $48,409 |
| 83 | Msad 46 | 23.28 | $15,145 | $46,559 |
| 84 | Rsu 25 | 24.02 | $13,699 | $51,461 |
| 85 | Perry Public Schools | 25.10 | $10,824 | $61,429 |
| 86 | Rsu 49/Msad 49 | 25.35 | $13,328 | $52,056 |
| 87 | Rsu 63/Msad 63 | 25.56 | $10,876 | $60,971 |
| 88 | Wesley Public Schools | 25.77 | $21,625 | $51,094 |
| 89 | Madawaska Public Schools | 26.07 | $16,353 | $40,489 |
| 90 | Westbrook Public Schools | 26.29 | $16,255 | $71,183 |
| 91 | Rsu 38 | 26.39 | $15,993 | $72,207 |
| 92 | Limestone Public Schools | 26.62 | $16,757 | $38,684 |
| 93 | Vassalboro Public Schools | 26.84 | $9,324 | $65,949 |
| 94 | Beals Public Schools | 27.03 | $13,403 | $50,804 |
| 95 | Rsu 64/Msad 64 | 27.04 | $12,958 | $52,439 |
| 96 | Cherryfield Public Schools | 27.11 | $15,771 | $42,031 |
| 97 | Rsu 17/Msad 17 | 27.20 | $12,323 | $54,686 |
| 98 | Rsu 20 | 27.44 | $20,368 | $56,691 |
| 99 | Five Town Csd | 27.68 | $17,105 | $68,857 |
| 100 | Brooksville Public Schools | 27.70 | $9,989 | $63,000 |
| 101 | South Portland Public Schools | 27.96 | $17,599 | $67,198 |
| 102 | Deer Isle-Stonington Csd | 28.44 | $20,909 | $55,278 |
| 103 | Rsu 45/Msad 45 | 28.56 | $15,674 | $41,553 |
| 104 | Waterville Public Schools | 29.06 | $16,091 | $39,722 |
| 105 | Woodland Public Schools | 29.08 | $12,250 | $53,867 |
| 106 | Milford Public Schools | 29.42 | $12,316 | $53,428 |
| 107 | Pembroke Public Schools | 29.46 | $13,681 | $48,375 |
| 108 | Surry Public Schools | 29.66 | $8,072 | $68,929 |
| 109 | Bangor Public Schools | 29.77 | $13,859 | $47,538 |
| 110 | Wells-Ogunquit Csd | 30.14 | $17,796 | $67,736 |
| 111 | Rsu 37/Msad 37 | 31.19 | $13,659 | $47,455 |
| 112 | Kittery Public Schools | 31.37 | $18,142 | $67,169 |
| 113 | Rsu 35/Msad 35 | 31.57 | $14,309 | $81,415 |
| 114 | Rsu 58/Msad 58 | 31.82 | $16,327 | $37,255 |
| 115 | Rsu 19 | 32.21 | $13,489 | $47,488 |
| 116 | Rsu 79/Msad 01 | 32.30 | $13,826 | $46,194 |
| 117 | Rsu 15/Msad 15 | 32.37 | $14,477 | $81,256 |
| 118 | Millinocket Public Schools | 32.38 | $14,878 | $42,271 |
| 119 | Msad 27 | 32.95 | $12,963 | $48,996 |
| 120 | Mt Desert Csd | 33.01 | $18,959 | $65,110 |
| 121 | Rsu 78 | 33.21 | $20,660 | $58,958 |
| 122 | Eastport Public Schools | 34.17 | $15,164 | $40,179 |
| 123 | Auburn Public Schools | 34.39 | $12,008 | $51,681 |
| 124 | Brewer Public Schools | 35.19 | $12,759 | $48,450 |
| 125 | Lewiston Public Schools | 35.53 | $14,193 | $42,969 |
| 126 | Saco Public Schools | 35.56 | $6,377 | $71,755 |
| 127 | Rsu 75/Msad 75 | 35.57 | $16,296 | $76,405 |
| 128 | Rsu 14 | 35.70 | $15,107 | $80,863 |
| 129 | Greenbush Public Schools | 36.00 | $14,789 | $40,500 |
| 130 | Rsu 12 | 36.03 | $9,078 | $61,528 |
| 131 | Rsu 39 | 36.69 | $14,173 | $42,371 |
| 132 | Rsu 89 | 37.62 | $15,241 | $37,898 |
| 133 | Rsu 50 | 37.77 | $14,389 | $40,952 |
| 134 | Rsu 34 | 38.28 | $13,443 | $44,142 |
| 135 | Machiasport Public Schools | 38.54 | $12,049 | $49,130 |
| 136 | Rsu 21 | 39.21 | $14,764 | $84,163 |
| 137 | Princeton Public Schools | 39.39 | $12,752 | $46,042 |
| 138 | Trenton Public Schools | 41.59 | $20,542 | $64,250 |
| 139 | Rsu 80/Msad 04 | 41.68 | $13,896 | $40,500 |
| 140 | Rsu 28/Msad 28 | 42.48 | $17,828 | $74,766 |
| 141 | Calais Public Schools | 43.26 | $15,183 | $34,844 |
| 142 | Rsu 85/Msad 19 | 43.78 | $13,447 | $40,938 |
| 143 | Rsu 23 | 44.42 | $23,711 | $54,209 |
| 144 | Gorham Public Schools | 44.51 | $14,296 | $88,958 |
| 145 | Augusta Public Schools | 45.00 | $13,825 | $38,842 |
| 146 | Rsu 05 | 45.00 | $15,618 | $84,368 |
| 147 | Rsu 86/Msad 20 | 45.24 | $13,275 | $40,730 |
| 148 | Penobscot Public Schools | 45.53 | $11,543 | $46,944 |
| 149 | Northport Public Schools | 45.90 | $20,168 | $68,125 |
| 150 | Rsu 88/Msad 24 | 45.97 | $16,091 | $29,926 |
| 151 | Bar Harbor Public Schools | 46.77 | $20,264 | $68,274 |
| 152 | Yarmouth Schools | 49.09 | $15,196 | $88,295 |
| 153 | Southwest Harbor Public Schools | 49.35 | $25,093 | $51,971 |
| 154 | Vanceboro Public Schools | 49.38 | $9,333 | $52,857 |
| 155 | Caswell Public Schools | 51.12 | $14,245 | $33,750 |
| 156 | Harmony Public Schools | 52.57 | $14,186 | $33,125 |
| 157 | Rsu 29/Msad 29 | 54.08 | $11,077 | $43,705 |
| 158 | Cutler Public Schools | 56.60 | $8,635 | $51,250 |
| 159 | Athens Public Schools | 63.08 | $12,195 | $34,375 |
| 160 | East Machias Public Schools | 63.35 | $8,817 | $46,667 |
| 161 | West Bath Public Schools | 66.79 | $21,085 | $76,845 |
| 162 | Tremont Public Schools | 68.27 | $23,880 | $67,404 |
| 163 | Rsu 72/Msad 72 | 69.36 | $6,402 | $52,083 |
| 164 | Jonesboro Public Schools | 70.95 | $8,725 | $42,604 |
| 165 | Machias Public Schools | 73.38 | $11,819 | $29,792 |
| 166 | Rsu 53/Msad 53 | 75.96 | $6,759 | $46,943 |
| 167 | Blue Hill Public Schools | 76.82 | $7,486 | $43,768 |
| 168 | Whiting Public Schools | 82.76 | $6,080 | $45,509 |
| 169 | Scarborough Public Schools | 83.80 | $16,731 | $102,742 |
| 170 | Rsu 30/Msad 30 | 86.29 | $7,667 | $37,616 |
| 171 | Chebeague Island Public Schools | 86.48 | $31,238 | $50,833 |
| 172 | Mount Desert Public Schools | 91.23 | $24,247 | $79,348 |
| 173 | Islesboro Public Schools | 91.98 | $29,106 | $61,875 |
| 174 | York Public Schools | 93.69 | $19,812 | $97,115 |
| 175 | Msad 76 | 99.71 | $33,000 | $52,005 |
| 176 | Georgetown Public Schools | 100.35 | $28,377 | $69,412 |
| 177 | Rsu 51/Msad 51 | 101.50 | $17,427 | $110,433 |
| 178 | Rsu 68/Msad 68 | 104.17 | $4,195 | $40,053 |
| 179 | Rsu 08/Msad 08 | 106.76 | $21,063 | $100,078 |
| 180 | Falmouth Public Schools | 120.78 | $17,484 | $121,389 |
| 181 | Cape Elizabeth Public Schools | 128.32 | $17,049 | $127,363 |
| 182 | Long Island Public Schools | 131.88 | $31,308 | $76,875 |
| 183 | Cranberry Isles Public Schools | 145.60 | $37,818 | $60,833 |
| 184 | Rsu 07/Msad 07 | 162.27 | $36,764 | $74,375 |
| 185 | Monhegan Plt School Dept | 198.39 | $30,400 | $118,750 |
*1=Most Equitable
Methodology
In order to rank the states with the most and least equitable school districts, WalletHub first scored 12,876 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.