Lewiston takes great pride in its education system, which has gained national attention for its innovative programs that have incorporated arts into the classroom, fostered business partnerships, and started after-school programs. Lewiston students regularly score at or above national and state averages on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Maine Educational Assessment. More than 70 percent of Lewiston's high school graduates continue on to postsecondary education.
The following is a summary of data regarding the Lewiston public schools as of the 2004–2005 school year.
Total enrollment: 4,600
Number of facilities elementary schools: 6
junior/high middle schools: 1
senior high schools: 1
other: 1
Student/teacher ratio: 19:1 (elementary school)
Teacher salaries average: $43,749
Funding per pupil: $6,546
There are four parochial schools in Lewiston, including St. Dominic Regional High School, Holy Cross School and St. Joseph's School, and St. Peters, which together serve approximately 1,300 students. Several private Christian schools are located in the area as well.
Public Schools Information: Lewiston Public Schools, Dingley Building, 36 Oak St., Lewiston, ME 04240; telephone (207)795-4100
Lewiston is home to historic Bates College, a highly selective liberal arts school founded by Maine abolitionists in 1855. Located on a 109-acre campus, Bates offers arts and sciences programs plus majors in anthropology, speech, and theater. The school offers a low student to faculty ratio, making close collaborations in the classroom and laboratory possible. Two-thirds of Bates's students typically study abroad, and more than two-thirds of recent graduates enroll in graduate study within 10 years after graduation. Recently, U.S. News and World Report recognized Bates as being among the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the country.
The University of Southern Maine's Lewiston-Auburn College is the fastest growing campus in the University system. The college's 1,700 students can choose between four-year degree programs in arts and humanities; natural, applied, social, and behavioral sciences; nursing; and leadership and organizational studies. Master's degree programs are available in leadership studies, literacy education, and occupational therapy.
Between them, St. Mary's Hospital and Central Maine Medical Center offer nursing, radiologic technology, and anesthesiology schools. The Central Maine Institute for Health Professionals offers degree programs through the Clark F. Miller School of Radiologic Technology, the School of Nuclear Medicine Technology, and the CMMC School of Nursing.
Auburn is home to Mid-State College, which offers degrees in accounting, business, medical support, computer applications, tourism and hospitality management, and early childhood education. The college also offers certificates in medical transcription and therapeutic massage. At Central Maine Technical College, the school offers industry-specific courses and associate's degrees in Arts General Studies or Liberal Studies. It also boasts the lowest tuition rates in the state.
Lewiston maintains one central library holding 123,000 print and audio-visual volumes housed in the original granite 1902 Carnegie Library Building. The library maintains special collections on Franco-American heritage, French literature, genealogical information, and local history. It also has an active children's program and outreach program.
Among the special collections at the George and Helen Ladd Library at Bates College is the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, a collection of rare books, records, manuscript collections, and papers of the U.S. senator. Central Maine Medical Center maintains the Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library, a center for information relating to patient care, patient education, personal health, research, staff development, and wellness promotion.
Public Library Information: Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Lewiston, ME 04240; telephone (207)784-0135