John Bapst Memorial High School, established in 1928, is a highly-regarded coeducational, nonsectarian, independent, 100% college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12.
Located in the safe, small city of Bangor, Maine, within walking distance of downtown, the school serves 90% day students from 35 Maine towns and cities and 10% boarding students from various countries living on campus and homestay.
The school was consistently ranked #1 in northern New England by the Washington Post and has been recognized as an AP Platinum School in the US and Canada.
Many of our graduates are studying at IVY League and top prestigious universities and colleges.
A John Bapst student is a well-educated global citizen, ready for exciting college and career opportunities.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $52,900
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $12,500
- Average class size: 16 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
John Bapst Memorial High School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1928
1907
Campus Size
7 acres
125 acres
Student Body
% International Students
11%
21%
% Students Boarding
11%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
25
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
72%
72%
Tuition Cost
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$52,900
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$12,500
$35,900
Admissions
School Notes
- John Bapst boasts a strong academic reputation, evidenced by its consistent #1 ranking in northern New England by the Washington Post (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and its recognition as an AP Platinum School by the College Board on the 2023 and 2024 AP Honor Roll in the US and Canada. Accredited by NEASC and a member of several prestigious associations (NAIS, iTEP, TABS, AISNE, SBSA, EMA), the school offers a challenging curriculum with 25 AP courses and 22 honors courses, along with ESL support and individualized scheduling catering to interests in arts, music, drama, business, and economics. A capstone program is also available for distinguished graduates. The school fosters a caring community supported by 49 teachers, 2 college counselors, and 10 on-campus houseparents (primarily faculty). This environment, combined with a wide array of sports and extracurricular activities, prepares graduates for top universities worldwide, including Ivy League institutions and other highly-ranked global universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, MIT, Brown, Dartmouth, McGill, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, UC-Berkley, Emory, Washington University in St. Louis, UCLA etc. The strong art and music programs have also successfully placed graduates in renowned art and music colleges such as 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. Beyond academics, John Bapst emphasizes student involvement in American school life through sports, band, musicals, community service (Key Club), and student-run publications and clubs (Model UN, Yearbook, newspaper, art). The school has a robust STEM program, particularly in robotics, engineering, and programming. International students actively participate and often lead in various academic teams (math team and robotics) and athletic teams. Students benefit from Bangor's location, which offers both access to outdoor activities (hiking, water sports, skiing, Acadia National Park) and urban conveniences (restaurants, movies, shopping, entertainment venues). Weekend activities are generally within a 10-minute drive. The Bangor International Airport, with direct flights to major cities like New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and bus lines to Boston provide convenient travel options for all students, especially international students. Ultimately, John Bapst aims to cultivate well-educated global citizens ready for future academic and professional success.
- John Bapst Memorial High School accreditations: NEASC, NAIS, AISNE, iTEP, EMA
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 $52,900 for boarding students and $12,500 for day students.
What is John Bapst Memorial High School's ranking?
John Bapst Memorial High School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for John Bapst Memorial High School?
The application deadline for John Bapst Memorial High School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Boarding Schools
The nearest boarding school to John Bapst Memorial High School is Foxcroft Academy (35.7 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
410 students 35.7 miles 975 West Main Street
Dover Foxcroft, ME 04426
(207) 564-8664
Dover Foxcroft, ME 04426
(207) 564-8664
35.7
9-12, PG
410
585 students 65.2 miles 81 Academy Hill
Newcastle, ME 04553
(207) 563-3596
Newcastle, ME 04553
(207) 563-3596
65.2
9-12, PG
585
250 students 66.6 miles PO Box 257, 1614 Main St., Rte. 17
Kents Hill, ME 04349
(207) 685-1606
Kents Hill, ME 04349
(207) 685-1606
66.6
9-12, PG
250
400 students 67.9 miles PO Box 190, 66 Cutler Road
East Machias, ME 04630
(207) 255-8301
East Machias, ME 04630
(207) 255-8301
67.9
9-12, PG
400
230 students 103.3 miles 39 Church Street
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-7777
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-7777
103.3
8-12, PG
7-12, PG
7-12, PG
230
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