Telstar Regional High School Ranked 5th in the State in 2025 U.S. News & World Report
Bethel, Maine — October 16, 2025 — Telstar Regional High School (THS) is proud to announce that it has been ranked 5th in the state of Maine in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report high school rankings, joining the ranks of the top-performing schools statewide.
This ranking takes into account multiple performance indicators, such as state assessment results, graduation rates, and advanced coursework participation, among others. The distinction reflects our community’s unwavering commitment to student growth and college and life readiness as we usher in this new era of excellence.
“We are honored by this recognition,” said John Eliot, Principal of Telstar. “Achieving 5th in the state and obtaining national recognition is a tribute to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the support of our families, school board, and SAD44 community. We will celebrate our achievements while continuing to grow and enhance our student’s educational opportunities.”
Over the past several years, Telstar has prioritized expanding student support services—enhancing access to school-based social workers, college and career counseling, standardized test preparation, and post-secondary planning through its 7Peaks Program. THS has also strengthened community partnerships to provide more internship opportunities and broadened access to AP courses in Math, English, and History. These collective efforts are now yielding results, as reflected in this latest ranking. The MSAD#44’s Portrait of a Graduate guides all endeavors at Telstar Regional High School. It is at the core of all academic experiences and, it is our hope, that by the end of 12th grade, students will demonstrate excellence in the characteristics most important to our community: Empathy, Communication, Learner’s Mindset, Perseverance, Responsibility, being Self and Goal-Directed.
About U.S. News & World Report Rankings
The annual U.S. News & World Report high school rankings assess eligible public high schools on multiple measures including student achievement on state assessments, performance of underserved student populations, graduation rates, and college and life readiness. Schools are ranked at the national, state, metro, and district levels. (See related U.S. News releases for 2025–2026 rankings.) PR Newswire+1
About Telstar’s Academic Ethos
At the heart of every Telstar experience is a network of people dedicated to student success. From classroom teachers and coaches to Satellite advisors and 7Peaks mentors, students are supported at every step of their high school journey. Telstar’s small size enables students to develop meaningful relationships while customizing their learning experience as they advance from 9th to 12th grade. Widely varied learning environments allow students to choose between more traditional course pathways, Career and Technical Education (CTE) certifications, outdoor and sustainability courses and community-based internships or work experiences. No matter the path taken, all students are encouraged to cultivate the habits needed to be successful in any post-secondary environment.
Next Steps & Vision
As Telstar celebrates this significant achievement, it remains committed to continuous improvement. Their goals for the upcoming year include:
Improve student achievement in the areas of reading, writing, math, and science.
Strengthening support systems (tutoring, intervention, counseling).
Deepening community and business partnerships to build opportunities for students.
Telstar looks forward to the continued collaboration of students, faculty, staff, families, and community partners as they strive to maintain this special status in the state.