Summary:
The 04222 zip code is home to a single standout elementary school, the Durham Community School, which serves grades PK-8 and is part of the Regional School Unit 05 district. This school has consistently ranked among the top elementary schools in Maine, with a 4- or 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and impressive proficiency rates on state assessments that exceed both the state and district averages.
The Durham Community School's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 77.46% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 64.34% proficient or better in math, compared to statewide averages of 65.43% and 47.21%, respectively. The school also boasts a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.4, which likely contributes to its ability to provide individualized attention and support to students. However, the school's relatively low percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients (13.24%) may raise questions about equity and access to its high-quality education for students from lower-income backgrounds.
While the Durham Community School's academic excellence is undeniable, the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 23.4% is an area that may warrant further investigation and attention. Additionally, the school's science proficiency rate of 37.25% is lower than its ELA and math proficiency, suggesting a potential opportunity for improvement in science education. Overall, the Durham Community School stands out as a high-performing and well-regarded elementary school within its district and the state of Maine, but continued efforts to address equity, attendance, and subject-specific performance could help the school further enhance its already impressive educational outcomes.
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