Enrollment has declined in more of Maine school districts over the last five years than the national average, according to new research.
Nationwide, 68% of school districts polled by the nonprofit research firm Bellwether experienced enrollment declines between 2019 and 2024.
But in Maine, 73% of districts saw a decline over that time.
According to Bellwether's data, some districts in the state saw double digit declines in enrollment including RSU 49 in Fairfield, RSU 22 in Hampden, and RSU 3 in Unity.
This declining enrollment contributed to school closures, which Maine saw more of in 2025 than 2024.
