Maine Indian Education has achieved significant success in reducing chronic absenteeism and improving students' academic performance.
Chronic Absenteeism
Maine Indian Education has achieved a significant and meaningful reduction in chronic absenteeism across all three of its tribal PK–8 schools over the past three years. In 2024–25, the MIE system-wide chronic absenteeism rate stands at approximately 19.6%, representing a dramatic improvement from an estimated 52–60% in 2021–22 at the height of post-pandemic disruption. This places MIE substantially below the current national American Indian/Alaska Native benchmark of approximately 36–42% and competitive with — or better than — the Maine statewide average for all students.
Students' Academic Performances
All three schools continue to demonstrate that Wabanaki students, when provided with excellent instruction and culturally affirming environments, achieve at the highest levels. Indian Township School’s Grade 5 posted +11 RIT points in both Math and Reading in a single trimester — a record for the organization. Indian Island School’s math proficiency climbed 13 percentage points from Fall to Winter. Sipayik Elementary’s students had outstanding improvement in both Reading and Math.
