Ranked #1 in Maine by the Washington Post in 2012 and again in 2014, John Bapst is located in Bangor's Historic Broadway District, John Bapst is the state's only independent town academy that is 100% college-preparatory.
The school serves 500 students and offers day and boarding programs.
Boarding students come from Maine and from eight countries, living in homestays or dorms.
The cultural and economic center of its region, Bangor is a livable, lively small city in a state renowned for its natural beauty and quality of life.
The University of Maine and Husson University are just a few minutes away, and an hour's drive brings one to the coast, to Acadia National Park, or to Baxter State Park.
John Bapst School is known for its superb music and art programs.
Students and faculty form a supportive, friendly community with many activities for clubs and community service.
Leadership, citizenship, and academic excellence add up to great college placement; since 2009, John Bapst students have gone on to study at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Virginia Tech, George Tech, Purdue, Boston College, Boston University, UMaine (including more Pulp and Paper Scholars than any other school), Maine Maritime, Bowdoin, Colby, Bates, Middlebury, California-San Diego, Cal-Irvine, and dozens of other fine colleges and universities in the US and Canada.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked ME School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 504 students
- Yearly Tuition: $10,460
- Acceptance rate: 75%
- Average class size: 17 students
- Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
John Bapst Memorial High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maine for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1928
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Last Day of School
Fri. Jun 13, 2025
School Motto
Achievement, Integrity, Respect
School Mascot
Crusadors
Student Body
Total Students
504 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
18%
State avg.: 16%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
38 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
Average Class Size
17 students
Number of AP Courses
25 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese, AP Comparative Government, AP computer programming, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature, AP Environment Science, AP European History, AP French, AP Human Geography, AP Latin, AP Macroeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Precalculus, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Spanish Literature, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP United States History, AP US Government
Average SAT score
1210
(Out of 1600)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
School Colors
White, Purple
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Mar. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$10,460
Tuition Notes
For publicly supported students from Maine towns with school choice, tuition is set by the state at just over $9,000 and paid by the towns.
% on Financial Aid
5%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,000
Acceptance Rate
75%
National avg.: 81%
College Acceptance Rate
93%
Admissions Director
Beth Campbell
Admissions Associate
Karen Bender
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
16 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
24 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Art Club, Band Council, Chamber Ensemble, Chess Team, Chorale Council, Civil Rights Team, Fall Drama, International Club, Jazz "Improv" Club, Jazz Combo, JB Peppers, Junior Classical League (JCL), Key Club, Literary Magazine, Math Team, National Honor Society (NHS), Outing Club, Photography Club, Sailing Club, Spring Musical, Student Environmental Action Club, Student Senate, Tai Chi Club, Yearbook
School Notes
- Ranked #1 in northern New England by the Washington Post in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and an honoree of AP Platinum award in both 2023 and 2024 by the College Board, John Bapst School is a private, non-sectarian day and boarding school serving about 500 boys and girls in grades 9-12. Applicants are accepted into all four grades. Featuring a caring school community in the small, safe city of Bangor Maine (city population 33,000), John Bapst serves day students (90%) from 35 towns and cities in Maine and boarding students (10%) from foreign countries like Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and Vietnam. The school is conveniently located in an urban setting, and its access to urban life is about ten minutes' drive or within walking distance, including the Bangor airport, restaurants, shopping and entertainment. John Bapst is accredited by the NEASC and is a member of NAIS, AISNE, iTEP, TABS, NEASC, EMA (formerly SSATB). The staff includes 49 teachers, 2 college counselors, and 10 on-campus houseparents. In recent years, graduates have attended many Top 100 World Universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, MIT, Cornell, McGill, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, Northwestern, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, UC-Berkley, Emory, Washington University, Virginia, NYU and many top liberal art schools like Williams, Bowdoin, Wesley, Smith, etc. Art and music graduates are studying at Pratt, Parsons, Fashion Technology Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, the Art Institute of Chicago, Berklee College of Music and Los Angeles College of Music.The school's strong technology program includes coding, robotics, and engineering. International students have captained teams in math, robotics, tennis, basketball, and chess. John Bapst has a strong AP program (25 courses taught on campus) , a culture that encourages students to join in American school life through drama, Model UN, Key Club (for community service), sports, and many other opportunities.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does John Bapst Memorial High School cost?
John Bapst Memorial High School's tuition is approximately $10,460 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of John Bapst Memorial High School?
The acceptance rate of John Bapst Memorial High School is 75%, which is higher than the national average of 74%.
Who are famous alumni from John Bapst Memorial High School?
John Bapst Memorial High School famous alumni include: .
Does John Bapst Memorial High School offer a summer program?
Yes, John Bapst Memorial High School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does John Bapst Memorial High School offer?
John Bapst Memorial High School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis and Track and Field. John Bapst Memorial High School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Maine for most sports offered.
What is John Bapst Memorial High School's ranking?
John Bapst Memorial High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maine for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for John Bapst Memorial High School?
The application deadline for John Bapst Memorial High School is Mar. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Mar. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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The nearest high school to John Bapst Memorial High School is Nfi-stetson Ranch School (0.6 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is All Saints Catholic School (0.6 miles away)
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