Regional School Unit 56

Regional School Unit 56 in Maine is home to three schools serving students from elementary through high school, all of which appear to be performing below average compared to other schools in the state. The district's schools, including Dirigo Elementary School, Dirigo High School, and T W Kelly Dirigo Middle School, face challenges such as high chronic absenteeism rates, low state-wide rankings, and a lack of diversity among the student population.

Enrollment across the district ranges from 171 students at the middle school to 359 students at the elementary school, with all three schools having a predominantly white student body. The schools' state-wide rankings are concerning, with Dirigo Elementary School ranking 256 out of 290 Maine elementary schools, Dirigo High School ranking 121 out of 123 Maine high schools, and T W Kelly Dirigo Middle School ranking 81 out of 96 Maine middle schools. Additionally, the district's high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 22% at the elementary school to 46.4% at the high school, are a significant concern.

The data also suggests that the Regional School Unit 56 serves a population with lower socioeconomic status, with free and reduced lunch rates ranging from 41.45% at the high school to 50.88% at the middle school. This, combined with the district's overall poor performance, indicates that the schools may benefit from targeted interventions and support to improve student outcomes and provide a more equitable education for all students in the community.