Sanford Public Schools

917 Maine St Suite 200
Sanford, ME 04073
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Sanford Public Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Maine for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 2,164 students in Sanford Public Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Maine.
Public Elementary Schools in Sanford Public Schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Maine public elementary school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 84% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Maine public elementary school average of 14% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (ME)
# Schools
5 Schools
442 Schools
# Students
3,263 Students
112,991 Students
# Teachers
255 Teachers
10,443 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Sanford Public Schools, 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 91% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (ME)
#146 out of 189 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
45%
49%
79%
84%
28%
37%
91%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.28
0.26
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
5%
3%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
85%
86%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $20,874 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,600. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $22,789 is higher than the state median of $21,191. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (ME)
Total Revenue
$68 MM
$3,617 MM
Spending
$74 MM
$3,549 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,874
$21,600
Spending / Student
$22,789
$21,191

Best Sanford Public Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Margaret Chase Smith
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
248 Twombley Rd
Sanford, ME 04073
(207) 324-7586
Gr: PK-4 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Sanford Pride Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
708 Main Street
Sanford, ME 04073
(207) 324-8454
Gr: PK-4 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Carl J Lamb School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
233 Shaws Ridge Road
Springvale, ME 04083
(207) 324-8481
Gr: PK-4 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Sanford Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
52 Spartan Dr
Sanford, ME 04073
(207) 324-3114
Gr: 5-8 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 5 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,263 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 16%
  • : 91% (Top 20% in ME)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 45% (Btm 50%)
  • : 79% (Btm 50%)
  • : 28% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ME Dept. of Education

Quick Links