Quality Education
An educated and skilled workforce is the bedrock of a successful business, and to its advantage, Franklin County, Maine, has a wealth of quality educational resources.
In addition to having an excellent public school system, Franklin County is home to Carrabassett Valley Academy, a private ski/snowboard academy with a reputation for excellence in both sports and academics.
Higher education opportunities are available at the University of Maine at Farmington, located in the center of the county’s largest town, and through the Franklin County Community College Network, a networked approach to higher education and training that’s both affordable and accessible.
Technical and workforce training is available at nearby community colleges, several adult education locations in Franklin County and through various economic development organizations.
K-12 Education
Public Schools
- Mt. Abram Regional High School
- Mt. Blue High School
- Rangeley Lakes Regional High School
- Spruce Mountain School District (Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls)
Foster Technology Center
As a member of Maine’s Network of Career & Technical Education (CTE) schools, the Foster Technology Center’s students are fully prepared with the skills needed to perform in their chosen job fields. Interested employers know these CTE students are equipped with the proficiency and skillfulness needed to be competitive in today’s job market.
The programs offered at Foster Tech include agriculture, alternative energy, biotechnology, building construction, business education, composite manufacturing, culinary arts, forestry, plumbing & heating, and welding, as well as many others. Foster Tech students have access to the most cutting-edge technologies.
Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA)
Carrabassett Valley Academy is located in Kingfield, just south of Sugarloaf. The private academy has an enrollment of 100 students in grades 8 through 12 and provides a balance of training in skiing or snowboarding, college prep academics and responsible living. The majority of students continue their skill training after graduation, many joining the U.S. Ski Team. Others join college teams or work in the ski industry. CVA has graduated 11 Olympic medal winners — Bode Miller, Kirsten Clark, and Seth Wescott are all CVA graduates.
Higher Education
The town of Farmington has long enjoyed a cozy, mutually rewarding relationship with the University of Maine at Farmington, located in downtown Farmington. The friendly, 2,000-student campus is about the same size as many of New England’s most selective private colleges and offers many of the same advantages, yet at an affordable price.
Established in 1864 as Maine’s first public institution of Higher Education, UMF is one of Maine’s selective public liberal arts colleges offering quality programs in teacher education, human services, and arts and sciences.
UMF is an open, active and engaged partner in the community – the students and staff contribute to the rich social, cultural and educational fabric of the area. UMF adds a distinctive college town atmosphere to the Farmington community.
Training Programs
Community Colleges
Central Maine Community College and Kennebec Valley Community College are the nearest to the greater Franklin County area.
The Continuing Education Divisions/Business & Industry offices of each college work directly with businesses and industry to determine training needs and develop technical, professional and managerial training for both current employees and new hires. Classes are offered on campus or at the work site. An array of regular credit and noncredit courses are also offered through the Continuing Education Division.
In Franklin County, the Franklin Community College Network collaborates with Central Maine Community College and the Maine Community College System to offer business and industry training in Franklin County and Livermore Falls.
Maine Career Center
The Career Center offers comprehensive workforce development services, including individual employer consultation, customized training, on-the-job training funds for new hire and incumbent worker skill development, apprenticeship, and training plan development. The Center also offers direct referral services to a variety of community services including safety training and adult education, technical college training and university training.
Adult Education Programs
There are several Adult Education programs throughout the greater Franklin County region: Farmington, Kingfield, Livermore Falls, and Rangeley.
fcNet
Franklin County Community College Network is a networked approach to higher education and training that’s both affordable and accessible. Businesses and nonprofit organizations collaborate to help bring classes and courses to Franklin County to meet the needs of both residents and businesses.
The Network works with the Maine Community College system to bring community college courses to greater Franklin County. Students interested in earning a degree can take some courses locally, earning credits directly from the Maine Community College system towards a degree from Central Maine Community College. The Network also works with local businesses to determine what types of training are needed and organizes the specialized training sessions in Franklin County and Livermore Falls. This ensures that businesses can find the skills they are looking for in the local workforce.
