Penobscot County Schools & Education

Penobscot County, Maine

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

55/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

86.1%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

86.1%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 86.1%

Per-Pupil Spending

$9,382

National avg $13,239

State avg $9,738

School Score

55/100

Higher = better

State avg 57/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#8

of 16 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Penobscot County

School Verdict

Penobscot County performs at an average level with a school score of 55/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.1%.

Funding Context

Penobscot County spends $9,382 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Penobscot County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 3% below the Maine average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Penobscot County, Maine

A Diverse and Large Educational Network

Penobscot County supports a massive network of 67 schools across 24 districts, educating 19,128 students. The infrastructure is robust, featuring 35 elementary schools and 14 high schools to serve a growing population.

Meeting State Benchmarks in Penobscot

The county's graduation rate of 86.1% perfectly matches the Maine state average. With per-pupil spending at $9,382, the county stays close to the state investment level of $9,738 while maintaining a solid school score of 56.6.

Bangor Public Schools Set the Pace

Bangor Public Schools is the largest district, managing 10 schools and 3,454 students. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, as there are zero charter schools among the 67 facilities.

Urban Hubs and Rural Outposts

This county offers rare locale diversity for Maine, featuring 11 city schools and 13 suburban schools alongside 42 rural sites. Bangor High School is the largest campus with 1,107 students, while the countywide average school size is 299.

Settling Down Near Bangor Schools

Whether you prefer the amenities of Bangor or a suburban feel in Brewer, Penobscot County offers diverse school environments. Use school performance data to guide your home search in this central Maine hub.

School Overview

Total Schools

67

in Penobscot County

Total Enrollment

19,128

students

School Districts

24

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary35
Middle14
High14
Other4

24 School Districts in Penobscot County

Bangor Public Schools

10 schools
3,454 students

RSU 19

5 schools
1,931 students

Brewer Public Schools

2 schools
1,604 students

RSU 34

5 schools
1,425 students

Hermon Public Schools

3 schools
1,397 students

RSU 64/MSAD 64

3 schools
1,067 students

RSU 67

3 schools
940 students

MSAD 46

3 schools
837 students

RSU 26

3 schools
835 students

RSU 87/MSAD 23

3 schools
591 students

67 Public Schools in Penobscot County

Bangor High School

Bangor Public Schools

9–12High1,107 students
Brewer Community School

Brewer Public Schools

PK–8Primary884 students
Hampden Academy

RSU 22

9–12High811 students
Brewer High School

Brewer Public Schools

9–12High720 students
Nokomis Regional High School

RSU 19

9–12High634 students
Hermon High School

Hermon Public Schools

9–12High584 students
Ridge View Community School

MSAD 46

PK–8Primary571 students
Nokomis Regional Middle School

RSU 19

5–8Middle544 students
Old Town High School

RSU 34

9–12High536 students
Central Community Elementary School

RSU 64/MSAD 64

PK–5Primary504 students
Patricia A Duran School

Hermon Public Schools

PK–4Primary484 students
Old Town Elementary School

RSU 34

PK–5Primary427 students
Glenburn Elementary School

Glenburn Public Schools

PK–8Primary384 students
Orono High School

RSU 26

9–12High373 students
James F. Doughty School

Bangor Public Schools

6–8Middle364 students
William S. Cohen School

Bangor Public Schools

6–8Middle364 students
Center Drive School

Orrington Public Schools

PK–8Primary361 students
Reeds Brook Middle School

RSU 22

6–8Middle345 students
Fruit Street School

Bangor Public Schools

PK–3Primary334 students
Central High School

RSU 64/MSAD 64

9–12High330 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$9,382

State avg $9,738

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Penobscot County rate?
Penobscot County has a school score of 55/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Penobscot County?
The high school graduation rate in Penobscot County is 86.1%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Penobscot County spend per student?
Penobscot County spends $9,382 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Penobscot County, Maine — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Penobscot County, Maine?

Penobscot County supports a massive network of 67 schools across 24 districts, educating 19,128 students. The infrastructure is robust, featuring 35 elementary schools and 14 high schools to serve a growing population.

How do schools in Penobscot County perform academically?

The county's graduation rate of 86.1% perfectly matches the Maine state average. With per-pupil spending at $9,382, the county stays close to the state investment level of $9,738 while maintaining a solid school score of 56.6.

What are the major school districts in Penobscot County, Maine?

Bangor Public Schools is the largest district, managing 10 schools and 3,454 students. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, as there are zero charter schools among the 67 facilities.

What is the school experience like in Penobscot County?

This county offers rare locale diversity for Maine, featuring 11 city schools and 13 suburban schools alongside 42 rural sites. Bangor High School is the largest campus with 1,107 students, while the countywide average school size is 299.

How can I find homes near good schools in Penobscot County, Maine?

Whether you prefer the amenities of Bangor or a suburban feel in Brewer, Penobscot County offers diverse school environments. Use school performance data to guide your home search in this central Maine hub.

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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.