Child's shoes with a backpack leaning against their legs.

Best private high schools in Maine

Written by:
Stacker
April 10, 2024
LightField Studios // Shutterstock

Best private high schools in Maine

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Maine using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

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#30. Highview Christian Academy

- Location: Charleston, ME
- Enrollment: 50 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

A student filling out a scantron form for a multiple choice test.
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#29. Windham Christian Academy

- Location: Windham, ME
- Enrollment: 69 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

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#28. Lee Academy

- Location: Lee, ME
- Enrollment: 179 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

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#27. Greater Houlton Christian Academy

- Location: Houlton, ME
- Enrollment: 108 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

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#26. Chop Point School

- Location: Woolwich, ME
- Enrollment: 68 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. Greater Portland Christian School

- Location: South Portland, ME
- Enrollment: 130 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. George Stevens Academy

- Location: Blue Hill, ME
- Enrollment: 331 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. Bridgton Academy

- Location: North Bridgton, ME
- Enrollment: 155 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

An empty school hallway lined with red lockers.
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#22. Maine Central Institute

- Location: Pittsfield, ME
- Enrollment: 400 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

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#21. Maine Coast Waldorf School

- Location: Freeport, ME
- Enrollment: 254 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

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#20. Foxcroft Academy

- Location: Dover Foxcroft, ME
- Enrollment: 416 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A hallway lined with green lockers.
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#19. Fryeburg Academy

- Location: Fryeburg, ME
- Enrollment: 654 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

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#18. Lincoln Academy

- Location: Newcastle, ME
- Enrollment: 581 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#17. Oxford Hills Christian Academy

- Location: South Paris, ME
- Enrollment: 48 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#16. Open Door Christian Academy

- Location: Lisbon, ME
- Enrollment: 75 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#15. Thornton Academy

- Location: Saco, ME
- Enrollment: 1,420 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. Saint Dominic Academy

- Location: Auburn, ME
- Enrollment: 476 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#13. The New School

- Location: Kennebunk, ME
- Enrollment: 32 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Pine Tree Academy

- Location: Freeport, ME
- Enrollment: 112 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. Cheverus High School

- Location: Portland, ME
- Enrollment: 361 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#10. John Bapst Memorial High School

- Location: Bangor, ME
- Enrollment: 487 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Watershed School

- Location: Camden, ME
- Enrollment: 24 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#8. North Yarmouth Academy

- Location: Yarmouth, ME
- Enrollment: 394 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Carrabassett Valley Academy

- Location: Carrabassett Valley, ME
- Enrollment: 106 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. Hebron Academy

- Location: Hebron, ME
- Enrollment: 214 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. Berwick Academy

- Location: South Berwick, ME
- Enrollment: 540 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Hyde School

- Location: Bath, ME
- Enrollment: 123 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. Gould Academy

- Location: Bethel, ME
- Enrollment: 191 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. Waynflete

- Location: Portland, ME
- Enrollment: 579 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. Kents Hill School

- Location: Kents Hill, ME
- Enrollment: 240 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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