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THE BIG PICTURE

Over the last decade, the overall number of students enrolled in public schools in Maine has decreased. The proportion of students who are economically disadvantaged has increased during this time, which presents a challenge to schools and teachers, who must provide additional support services in order to ensure their students are healthy and prepared to learn. While white students still make up a majority of the student body statewide, it is important to note that student diversity in Maine schools is increasing.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • For the 2019-20 academic year, Maine had 179,986 public school students.
  • Maine public school enrollment is down by about 450 students from the previous year and by 8,700 students—or 4.6%—since 2010.
  • In 2019-20, there were 75,535 economically disadvantaged students enrolled in Maine public schools, comprising 42% of the overall student population.
  • White students comprise 88% of Maine’s school-age population, compared to 93% ten years ago.

PRE-K TO 12 PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN MAINE (FALL 2019)

Total public school enrollment in Pre-K to 12th grade in Fall of 2019 was 179,986 students.

ECONOMIC STATUS

  • 42% Economically Disadvantaged

  • 58% Not Economically Disadvantaged  

RACE/ETHNICITY

  • 1% American Indian/Alaska Native

  • 2% Asian/Pacific Islander

  • 4% Black or African American

  • 3% Hispanic/Latino

  • 3% Two or More Races

  • 88% White

GENDER

  • 48% Female

  • 52% Male 

ENGLISH LEARNER STATUS

  • 97% Non English Learners

  • 3% English Learners

SOURCE INFORMATION

SHARE OF MAINE’S PUBLIC PRE-K – 12 STUDENTS CONSIDERED ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED (2010-19)

PRE-K-12 STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY RACE/ETHNICITY (2010-19)

LEARN MORE

 

Dig Deeper

Student enrollment plays a large role in how resources are distributed to school districts. Read our report How Is Public Education Funded in Maine? to learn more about how enrollments are linked with school funding decisions.

Take Action

Maine’s student population is rapidly diversifying. Maine schools can do more to understand the needs of diverse students and implement strategies to support them effectively, improving outcomes across the entire educational system. Read our report Helping Diverse Students Thrive to learn about 4 overarching strategies and 14 actions that schools and policymakers can take to support diverse learners.