Mount Desert Island High School is a public high school in Bar Harbor, Maine, United States. It was established in 1968 and is part of the Mount Desert Island Regional School District.
Serving 453 students in grades 9-12, Mt Desert Island High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Maine for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 50-54% (which is higher than the Maine state average of 49%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 90-94% (which is higher than the Maine state average of 84%).
The student-teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the Maine state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is lower than the Maine state average of 15% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 453 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- Minority Enrollment: 13%
- Graduation Rate: 85-89% (Top 50% in ME)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 50-54% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 90-94% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 55-59% (Top 10%)
- Attendance Zone: Mt Desert Island High School's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Mount Desert, ME, covering approximately 193 square miles. The typical drive to the school from within the zone is about 15-20 minutes, with the furthest edge being 12.7 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ME Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Mt Desert Island High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maine for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Mt Desert Island High School's student population of 453 students has declined by 15% over five school years.
The teacher population of 55 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
453 students
Total Classroom Teachers
55 teachers
Year Founded
1968
School Calendar
School Motto
Knowledge, Responsibility, Respect
School Rankings
Mt Desert Island High School ranks within the top 20% of all 500 schools in Maine (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Mt Desert Island High School is 0.24, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.28. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#97 out of 500 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
49%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
84%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
37%
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
11:1
Asian
2%
1%
Hispanic
4%
4%
Black
3%
5%
White
87%
85%
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
85-89%
87.3%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)39.3%
28.5%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
24%
39%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Blue and White
School Mascot
Troy The Trojan
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ME Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mt Desert Island High School's ranking?
Mt Desert Island High School is ranked #97 out of 500 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Maine.
What schools are Mt Desert Island High School often compared to?
Mt Desert Island High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ellsworth High School, Hampden Academy, Bucksport High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
50-54% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 49% ME state average), while 90-94% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 84% ME state average).
What is the graduation rate of Mt Desert Island High School?
The graduation rate of Mt Desert Island High School is 85-89%, which is lower than the Maine state average of 87.3%.
How many students attend Mt Desert Island High School?
453 students attend Mt Desert Island High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
87% of Mt Desert Island High School students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Mt Desert Island High School?
Mt Desert Island High School has a student ration of 8:1, which is lower than the Maine state average of 11:1.
What grades does Mt Desert Island High School offer ?
Mt Desert Island High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Mt Desert Island High School part of?
Mt Desert Island High School is part of MT Desert Csd School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
My names is James Doughty. I grew up in Somesville when there were many high schools on the island. Somesville in the town of Mt. Desert. Our whole high school had about 15 boys and basketball was very important to us. I rermember the day when Carlo Nimfi, charles leland and I decided we should have a mascot, Carlo had seen newsreels of a California team who were called Trojans. We decided that would be appropiate. So that' how you got your nickname. What I really want to know is why has the prunounciation of Mt. Desert changed? By the way I'm 88 years old.
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