MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

Public school enrollment in Maine has been declining over the past ten years and saw a significant drop in the 2020-21 school year of 7,862 students due to the pandemic and declining population. In the fall of 2021, enrollment increased by 684 students. There are now 173,158 students enrolled in Maine schools for the 2021/2022 school year.

Maine’s student body is getting more diverse. The racial/ethnic groups that have seen the biggest increases over the past 10 years are those identifying as two or more races, Hispanic/Latino, and Black/African American.

More than 37% of Maine’s public school students are considered economically disadvantaged. This figure has trended down over time, from a high of over 46% in 2015, however the method for calculating this number has changed slightly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant implications for public school enrollment across Maine. Current enrollment remains more than 7,000 students below pre-pandemic levels. The decline in student enrollment in public schools will have long-term fiscal implications for schools despite policymakers helping to facilitate short-term fiscal solutions for enrollment declines.

PRE-K TO 12 PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN MAINE (FALL 2021)

Total public school enrollment in Pre-K to 12th grade in the fall of 2021 was 173,158 students.

ECONOMIC STATUS

  • 37% Economically Disadvantaged

  • 63% Not Economically Disadvantaged  

RACE/ETHNICITY

  • Less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

  • 1% American Indian/Alaska Native

  • 1% Asian/Pacific Islander

  • 4% Black or African American

  • 3% Hispanic/Latino

  • 3% Two or More Races

  • 87% White

LEGAL SEX

  • 48% Female

  • 52% Male 

ENGLISH LEARNER STATUS

  • 97% Non English Learners

  • 3% English Learners

Source: Maine Department of Education Data Warehouse.

LEARN MORE

Maine Department of Education Data Warehouse

The Data Warehouse contains detailed data on student enrollment over time disaggregated by the categories above as well as by migrant status, foster care status, homelessness, and military affiliation. Data is based on October 1 of the 2021 school year.

Educate Maine Policy Briefs

Student enrollment is important when it comes to determining funding for school districts. Read our policy brief How Is Public Education Funded in Maine? to learn more.