In addition to a traditional academic program, the Augusta Public School system offers a special education program, a gifted and talented program, guidance, library media, English as a Second Language, alternative programs, and a regional vocational program. In 2003, one of the city's two middle schools—Lou Buker School—was closed and the city's seventh and eighth grades were consolidated at Hodgkins Middle School. (The closed school is now used for recreation programs.) Construction of a new, state-of-the-art Cony High School is underway as of 2005 and scheduled for completion by the end of 2006.
The following is a summary of data regarding the Augusta Public Schools District as of the 2002–2003 school year.
Total enrollment: 2,652
Number of facilities
elementary schools: 4
junior high/middle schools: 1
senior high schools: 1
other: 1 vocational/technical school
Student/teacher ratio: 10.3:1
Teacher salaries (2004-2005)
minimum: $25,000
maximum: $48,800
Funding per pupil: $10,073
Two parochial schools for students from kindergarten through 8th grade, and one small parochial academy for students from 1st through 12th grade, operate in Augusta, serving nearly 500 students.
Public Schools Information: Augusta School District, 40 Pierce Drive, Suite 3, Augusta, ME 04330; telephone (207)626-2468
The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) is one of the seven branches of the University of Maine system, which originated as an agricultural college in 1968 at Orono. UMA is comprised of three campuses, in Augusta, Bangor, and Lewiston-Auburn, with a total of nearly 6,000 students. Associate and baccalaureate programs are offered through UMA's colleges of arts and humanities; mathematics and professional studies; and natural and social sciences. The University of Maine at Augusta Senior College (UMASC), a self-governing and self-sustaining college located at UMA, is designed for persons age 50 and over. Mid-State College is a two-year institution offering programs in such areas as business, occupational education, and travel and tourism.
Lithgow Public Library, located at Winthrop and State streets, is a Romanesque-Renaissance structure built of Maine granite in 1895. The library houses 54,000 volumes as well as 2,000 audio items, 3,000 video items, and 105 periodical subscriptions. The Maine State Library, located in the State House complex, was designed by Charles Bulfinch. The library holds 300,000 volumes on the subjects of state and local history; special collections include the Avery Collection of photographs and paintings of Mt. Katahdin and more than 100 oral history cassettes.
Special libraries are maintained by the Maine Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which holds 135,000 volumes; the State of Maine's Law and Legislative Reference Library, with 107,506 volumes and 480 periodical subscriptions; the University of Maine at Augusta; and Mid-State College and other area colleges.
Public Library Information: Lithgow Public Library, Winthrop Street, Augusta, ME 04330; telephone (207)626-2415