The Best Private Schools in Kents Hill, Maine
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kents Hill. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Kents Hill School
Independent
Kents Hill School is one of Maine's oldest independent boarding and day schools, offering a comprehensive college preparatory education for grades 9-12 and postgraduate students. The school features a 400-acre campus with modern academic facilities, athletic centers, and arts spaces. Known for its personalized approach, Kents Hill maintains small class sizes with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers over 60 courses including Advanced Placement and honors options. The school emphasizes character development and leadership through its extensive extracurricular programs, including competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and outdoor education.
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Hebron Academy
Independent
Located approximately 30 minutes from Kents Hill, Hebron Academy is a prestigious coeducational boarding and day school serving grades 9-12 and postgraduate students. The academy offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses and distinctive programs in STEM, arts, and outdoor leadership. The 1,500-acre campus features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Hebron emphasizes personalized learning with an average class size of 12 students and a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, fostering close mentorship and academic excellence.
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Erskine Academy
Independent
Erskine Academy is an independent day school located approximately 15 minutes from Kents Hill, serving students in grades 9-12 from over 20 surrounding communities. The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum including college preparatory courses, 11 Advanced Placement options, and career-focused programs in partnership with local technical centers. The campus features modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. Erskine emphasizes both academic achievement and character development, with strong arts programs, competitive athletics, and numerous student leadership opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kents Hill, Maine
What are the primary private secondary school options available for families in or near Kents Hill, Maine?
Kents Hill, Maine, is home to the prestigious Kents Hill School, a co-ed boarding and day school for grades 9-12 and postgraduate year, known for its strong college preparatory curriculum and extensive arts and athletics. A short drive away, you'll find Hebron Academy in Hebron (about 30 minutes), another top-tier co-ed boarding and day school with a focus on experiential learning. While Erskine Academy in South China is often considered, it's important to note it is a public academy that accepts tuition-paying students from outside its district, offering a unique hybrid model. For younger grades, families typically look at private day schools in the greater Augusta or Lewiston-Auburn areas.
How does the boarding school component of Kents Hill School impact the local community and day student experience?
The boarding school model at Kents Hill School creates a unique, globally diverse, and immersive 24/7 learning environment. For local day students, this means access to extensive evening academic support, weekend activities, a dining hall, and the opportunity to build friendships with peers from across the country and world without leaving central Maine. The campus is a self-contained community with top-notch facilities, from a state-of-the-art innovation center to ski trails, which day students utilize fully. This blend allows Kents Hill day students to enjoy a rich, residential school experience while living at home, a distinctive feature of education in this specific locale.
What is the typical tuition range for private day and boarding schools in the Kents Hill, Maine area, and what financial aid options are available?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at Kents Hill School is approximately $73,000 for boarding students and $38,000 for day students. Hebron Academy has similar pricing. These schools are committed to making education accessible and offer substantial need-based financial aid, with Kents Hill School awarding over $6 million annually. Maine residents should also explore the Maine State Tax Credit for Educational Opportunity, which can provide a credit for tuition paid to private schools. Both schools have dedicated financial aid offices and encourage families to apply, as a significant percentage of students receive aid.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs distinguish private schools in the Kents Hill region?
Schools in this region leverage Maine's natural environment and heritage for unique programs. Kents Hill School features a renowned Alpine and Nordic skiing program, a cutting-edge Innovation, Design, and Engineering (IDEAS) Center, and a strong focus on sustainability and outdoor leadership. Hebron Academy emphasizes its "Learning in Depth" (LID) projects and a robust outdoor program that includes a forest classroom. Both schools offer distinctive study-abroad and January-term experiential learning courses. This focus on hands-on, place-based education rooted in Maine's landscape is a hallmark of private schooling in the Kents Hill area.
What are the key enrollment timelines and considerations for applying to Kents Hill School as a local day student?
Kents Hill School operates on a rolling admissions basis but strongly recommends that local families apply by February 1st for the following fall to ensure space in the day student program, which has limited capacity. The process includes an online application, student transcripts, teacher recommendations, a personal essay, and an interview (either on-campus or virtual). For Kents Hill residents, a key consideration is transportation, as the school may provide bus service from specific local hubs. It's also advisable to attend an open house or shadow day, typically held in the fall, to experience the campus culture firsthand before applying.