2024 Best Public High Schools in Penobscot County

• Regional School Unit No. 26 (MSAD 26), ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  94 reviews

Senior: Orono High-school have been such a wonderful place to further my education, while also allowing a place to connect with peers and for student to play any sport they like or contribute to our fine arts programs. Orono has guided me to not only be a better student but a better person. They have showed me excellent work ethic for me to continue my education in college. I feel very prepared to go my next level of education thanks to Orono High School. I will always be great full for my time at Orono I couldn’t have picked a better place for education. Especially needing accommodations they have been wonderful help with that.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 373

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Rsu 22, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  180 reviews

Senior: Hampden Academy is a good school. I learn new things every day. The teachers are very caring and kind. They're very hard working and teach us with a great deal of interest and patience, and they want us to likewise be diligent and conscientious with our studies and all school activities. I study many different subjects like history, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and languages like English, Latin and French. There is a great deal of syllabus that we need to cover during the year and prepare for the final examination at the end of the academic session. There are also a number of extra-curricular activities that we can participate in. We get the opportunity to participate in various intra-school and inter-school events. Sports, music, dance, theatre, art and craft are some of the extra-curricular activities.... Read 180 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 810

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Bangor Public Schools, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  221 reviews

Senior: The last four years I have had a pretty good experience at Bangor High School. Our school has very good academics and sports. I believe the teachers there have always been super supportive of us and our variety of dreams which has been one of the best parts about being there. They will form great relationships with their students and will always be there to help. I think the teacher-student relationships have been great but I would like to see a better relationship with students and guidance counselors.... Read 221 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,148

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Hermon Public Schools, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  106 reviews

Senior: Hermon High School helped me prepare myself with their early college programs. I was able to achieve my associate's degree in career studies before I graduated high school! The worst AND best part was the sports coaches. I had a GREAT relationship and season with my soccer coach, he pushed us and we played amazingly together. On the other hand, the basketball coach made my love for basketball diminish and I ended up quitting the sport I loved because of her. I would like to see the grading system change. They weight summatives way higher than formitives, at 80%. They also only let us retake tests up to 75%, witch sets a lot of people off badly.... Read 106 reviews

• grade B

• Students 581

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Rsu 19, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  113 reviews

Senior: During my time at Nokomis Regional High, it's been kinda relieving. I transferred to Nokomis the beginning of my Sophomore year, after having a treacherous Freshman year, trying to juggle going remote for the first time my whole life, and all the stress that comes with your first year of high school. Once I transferred here, it was like a big weight was taken off my shoulders, I'm not saying that it doesn't get stressful at times, because it most definitely does! But at Nokomis, there is many exceptional teachers who are willing to put out a helping hand, as long as you are willing to ask for it.... Read 113 reviews

• grade B

• Students 623

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Rsu 34, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  94 reviews

Senior: Old Town High school is a great school the system is great. The only downfall is when teachers are teaching like a reverse classroom where you do all of the learning outside of class, but other than that Old Town is great, its not to big and not to small. The athletics are great here baseball and softball are good and boys and girls basketball are good.... Read 94 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Millinocket Public Schools, ME•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  54 reviews

Senior: Stearns is a very friendly school all are welcomed by students and teachers. Its a small town so everyone knows everyone so most teachers are close to their students which makes it nice. Your friends are typically your friend all threw k-12.... Read 54 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 215

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Brewer Public Schools, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  101 reviews

Other: While being a student there, some difficulties arose such as covid. The school did the best they could however education was difficult due to this. The faculty can be supportive, however from what I have heard from my peers makes me nervous about some. There were teachers that were not understanding and would not help any student in need or understand. Some would ignore student's accommodations or flat out tell them it wasn't okay. Others however supported students and their issues, protecting them when needed and overall being a pillar. The other staff from the cafeteria to the student service workers were supper safe and supportive. One time my freshman year one of the office ladies made me a hat in my favorite color, because she understood my financial situation and wanted to help out my family. They also offered food bags to those who need it, and they were always willing to help everyone and anyone in need. The school also offers an amazing ray of classes to prepare students.... Read 101 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 731

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Rsu 67, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.3 out of 5  92 reviews

Senior: Mattanawcook Academy had done many great things for me in the four years that I was there. It had allowed me to focus on studies while being able to make some the best friends that I have ever had. It allowed me to come out of my shy girl shell and really show who I am. I also have enjoyed playing sports over the last four years with teammates and coaches that I have adored since day one. Another thing that Mattanawcook Academy taught me throughout the last four years was that it is okay to be wrong. There was one teacher especially that taught me that. She always told me that “ it was okay to be wrong every once in a while. No one is perfect and this is you showing that you aren’t.” After four years with her I slowly began to realize that it was okay to be wrong. The worst times I had was when I had an anxiety attack in the middle of an AP practice test. One thing that should change would be how some teachers want to be our friends rather than our teachers... Read 92 reviews

• grade C

• Students 301

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Maine School Administrative District No. 46, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.26 out of 5  38 reviews

Senior: I had an overall Great high school experience. I enjoyed being able to participate in 3 varsity level sports, NHS, Key club, and as Student president. One thing I would like to see change is more funding for the athletic departments.... Read 38 reviews

• grade C

• Students 282

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Rsu 31/Msad 31, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  38 reviews

Senior: Going to a small school has always benefitted me because of the one on one attention I receive. The teachers care deeply for their students and it shows with the test grades as a result. The guidance counselor especially cares for high school seniors in the application process for college. Overall, Penobscot valley has so much to offer it's students, and it is highly recommended.... Read 38 reviews

• grade C

• Students 131

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Rsu 64/Msad 64, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 2.97 out of 5  101 reviews

Senior: To me, school is what the individual chooses to make of it. A lot of people look down on my high school because it’s in the “country”, or because there are bad kids in our school. There are drugs, violence, and bad kids in some of the nicest schools. I enjoyed my years at Central High School. I have three older brothers that went through before me. I like the smallness of our school and community. We all know each other and it’s nice when you get to experience that type of community. If I had to pick something to change about Central High School, I guess it would be the lack of opportunities we have in comparison to other schools. We just don’t have the money in the district budget to be able to offer some of the classes or programs that other schools are able to provide or offer. Overall, I love my school. I have made great friends and I have enjoyed being able to grow up in this tight knit community that not everyone gets the chance to do. I guess less is more.... Read 101 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 324

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• East Millinocket Public Schools, ME•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.42 out of 5  24 reviews

Senior: The whole environment was nice, it has a very home feeling to it, everyone knows everyone and are always willing to help.... Read 24 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 107

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1