Top Rankings
RSU 71 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Maine for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 343 students in RSU 71 School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Maine.
Public Middle School in RSU 71 School District have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Maine public middle school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 85% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Maine public middle school average of 13% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (ME)
# Schools
7 Schools
205 Schools
# Students
1,413 Students
54,742 Students
# Teachers
128 Teachers
5,171 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
RSU 71 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 182 school districts in Maine (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#129 out of 189 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
49%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
79%
84%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
37%
Graduation Rate
87%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.19
0.24
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
3%
3%
% Black
n/a
4%
% White
90%
87%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,597 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,600. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $22,546 is higher than the state median of $21,191. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$31 MM
$3,617 MM
Spending
$32 MM
$3,549 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,597
$21,600
Spending / Student
$22,546
$21,191
Best RSU 71 School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Troy A Howard Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
173 Lincolnville Avenue
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3320
Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3320
Gr: 6-8 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.