Ecology Learning Center

Q: Is Ecology Learning Center a good school?

Ecology Learning Center ranks 63 rd of 123 Maine high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Ecology Learning Center is a public charter high school located in Unity, Maine, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 100 students. The school is part of the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences district, which is ranked 96 out of 177 districts in Maine and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ecology Learning Center stands out in several ways compared to the surrounding schools. The school has a significantly higher percentage of white students (96%) than the more racially diverse nearby schools, such as Messalonskee High School and Waterville Senior High School. Additionally, Ecology Learning Center has a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 43.4%, which is much higher than the surrounding schools. Academically, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (55%), Mathematics (36.36%), and Science (43.33%) are lower than the state averages and the nearby schools. However, the school does have a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.4, which could be an asset if leveraged effectively.

The data suggests that Ecology Learning Center faces several challenges. The school's academic performance has been declining over the past few years, and the high chronic absenteeism rate may be contributing to this trend. The lack of racial diversity is also noteworthy, as it differs significantly from the more diverse student populations at the surrounding schools. Additionally, the relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch indicates that Ecology Learning Center serves a population with greater economic challenges compared to some of the nearby schools, such as Winslow High School and Mt View High School. Addressing these issues could be crucial for the school to improve student outcomes and better serve the local community.

Detail:

Public, Charter 9-12

230 Main Street
Unity, ME 04988

(207) 230-9275

District: Ecology Learning Center

SchoolDigger Rank:
63^rd of 123 Maine High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $6,403

Student/teacher ratio: 11.4

Number of students: 100

Racial breakdown:

White:

96.0%

African American:

1.0%

Asian:

1.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 38%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Ecology Learning Center ranks worse than 51.2% of high schools in Maine. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 40.37. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (96%), Asian (1%), African American (1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 38% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ecology Learning Center is 11.4. (See more...)

Compare Ecology Learning Center employs 8.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ecology Learning Center is $6,403.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Ecology Learning Center was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Ecology Learning Center 63^rd of 123 Maine public high schools. (See Ecology Learning Center in the ranking list.)

Ecology Learning Center:

SchoolDigger ranks Ecology Learning Center 96^th of 177 Maine school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Ecology Learning Center

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	ME State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	40.37	63^rd	123	48.8%

See the entire list of Maine High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Maine Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Maine Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, September 1, 2021

I was hopeful but very unhappy with the leadership and choose to relocate my child. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Ecology Learning Center

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2021	43	1	1	1	0	0	1	47
2022	72	1	1	1	1	0	1	77
2023	96	1	1	1	0	1	0	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ecology Learning Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2021	47	5.8	8.1	44.7
2022	77	8.0	9.6	14.3
2023	100	8.7	11.4	38

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ecology Learning Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2021	47	5.8	8.1	44.7
2022	77	8.0	9.6	14.3
2023	100	8.7	11.4	38

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ecology Learning Center

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2021	$10,655
2022	$13,537
2023	$6,403

Data source: Maine Department of Education

Schools Near Ecology Learning Center

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				MEA English Language Arts (2023)	MEA Mathematics (2023)	MEA Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MEA English Language Arts All Grades	MEA Mathematics All Grades	MEA Science All Grades	Total
Ecology Learning Center	Public, Charter	9-12	230 Main Street	Unity	04988	Waldo County	Ecology Learning Center	Yes	No	No	Yes	(207) 230-9275	100	9	11.4	38.0%	96 (96.0%)	1 (1.0%)	1 (1.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40.4	63^rd of 123 public high schools	48.8%					(n/a)	55.0	36.4	43.3	$6,403
Mt View High School	Public	9-12	577 Mount View Road	Thorndike	04986	Waldo County	Regional School Unit 03/Maine School Admin District 03	No	No	No	No	(207) 568-3255	315	26	12.0	50.5%	297 (94.3%)	3 (1.0%)	10 (3.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	11.5	116^th of 123 public high schools	5.7%		34	78^th of 98 public high schools	20.4%	38	40.8	24.5	25.7	$17,255
Lawrence High School	Public	9-12	9 School Street	Fairfield	04937	Somerset County	Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49	No	No	No	No	(207) 453-4200	577	44	13.2	34.7%	553 (95.8%)	5 (0.9%)	13 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	28.7	87^th of 123 public high schools	29.3%		44.6	69^th of 98 public high schools	29.6%	18	51.5	45.4	31.2	$14,742
Winslow High School	Public	9-12	20 Danielson St	Winslow	04901	Kennebec County	Winslow Schools	No	No	No	No	(207) 872-1990	365	33	11.1	38.9%	332 (91.0%)	2 (0.5%)	13 (3.6%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.8%)	52.3	37^th of 123 public high schools	69.9%		51.7	57^th of 98 public high schools	41.8%	20	70.4	38.3	40.7	$20,008
Maine Academy of Natural Sciences	Public, Charter	9-12	13 Easler Road	Hinckley	04944	Somerset County	Maine Academy of Natural Sciences	Yes	No	No	Yes	(207) 238-4100	173	18	9.7	60.7%	160 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.0%)	1 (0.6%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.7%)	55.3	32^nd of 123 public high schools	74.0%		39.8	73^rd of 98 public high schools	25.5%	41	73.5	35.3	42.9	$16,063
Waterville Senior High School	Public	9-12	1 Brooklyn Ave	Waterville	04901	Kennebec County	Waterville Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(207) 873-2751	519	43	12.0	48.9%	437 (84.2%)	6 (1.2%)	33 (6.4%)	10 (1.9%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.8%)	42.1	58^th of 123 public high schools	52.8%		36.7	74^th of 98 public high schools	24.5%	16	58.0	44.3	39.5	$17,610
Nokomis Regional High School	Public	9-12	291 Williams Road Suite 2	Newport	04953	Penobscot County	Regional School Unit 19	No	No	No	No	(207) 368-4354	634	48	13.2	41.3%	572 (90.2%)	5 (0.8%)	21 (3.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (4.9%)	15.5	114^th of 123 public high schools	7.3%		69.9	25^th of 98 public high schools	74.5%	89	38.7	25.6	36.0	$15,237
Messalonskee High School	Public	9-12	131 Messalonskee High Drive	Oakland	04963	Kennebec County	Regional School Unit 18	No	No	No	No	(207) 465-7381	725	52	14.0	24.7%	669 (92.3%)	6 (0.8%)	21 (2.9%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (2.9%)	65.2	22^nd of 123 public high schools	82.1%		61.8	38^th of 98 public high schools	61.2%	16	65.4	55.4	45.4	$14,950

Frequently Asked Questions about Ecology Learning Center

What district is Ecology Learning Center in?

Ecology Learning Center

What is the racial makeup of Ecology Learning Center?

Students at Ecology Learning Center are 96% White.

How many students attend Ecology Learning Center?

In the 2022-23 school year, 100 students attended Ecology Learning Center.

Is Ecology Learning Center a good school?

Ecology Learning Center ranks 63^rd of 123 Maine high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maine Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.

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