Stearns high school home of the minutemen sign

Stearns Junior-Senior High School

Stearns Junior-Senior High School in Millinocket is located in Penobscot County approximately 70 miles north of Bangor off I-95 on Route 157. The High school is adjacent to Millinocket Stream with Mt. Katahdin as a backdrop.  Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain at 5267 feet, is located at the center of Baxter State Park and is the beginning of the Appalachian Trail that winds south to Georgia.

Stearns boasts state of the art facilities available to our students and the community. The high school gym seats 1800 and is host to many athletic contests and other gatherings throughout the year. A beautiful 408- seat performing arts auditorium is used for school programs, plays, concerts, dance recitals and a variety of other community events. A large cafeteria is used to serve students breakfast and lunch throughout the academic year. Our athletic fields are located just to the north of the school and are where our football, field hockey, softball, and baseball teams compete.

Highly qualified teachers instruct students in the core academic offerings of Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, and Science.   Teachers look to engage students in the class and advance them towards higher levels of thinking. In all curriculum areas Stearns high school looks to continue to meet each student’s individual needs to best prepare for an ever-changing world.

At Stearns, starting in the Spring semester of 2015 we will have seventeen Advanced Placement (AP) courses available to our students through Virtual High School as well as AP courses offered online through AP4all.org, which is provided free by the Maine Learning and Technology Initiative (MLTI). Additionally, online college courses are offered to Juniors and Seniors through the University of Maine Systems at Fort Kent and Orono.  By taking AP college-level courses students are able to earn college credit, standout in the college admissions process, and be challenged by a fast paced advanced curriculum.

Our World Languages department gives students a chance to learn about foreign cultures, as well as, languages. Stearns  is currently able offer Spanish and French at the beginner and intermediate level.

The visual and performing arts department is one of the best in the state offering band, chorus, music theory, and art classes. There are also a variety of co-curricular activities that are offered such as jazz band, a one act play, a musical, and show choir. Students are given a numerous opportunities to display their talents in the visual and performing arts at Stearns.

Many Stearns' students take advantage of our Region III vocational programs during their time in high school. It is through these programs that students receive a solid background in areas of welding, industrial arts, automotives, nursing, culinary arts, emergency services, and audio engineering. By attending a Region III vocational program many students will receive certifications upon completion of their program.

Our academic programs offer students a wide variety of choices, allowing students to prepare for many post-secondary options. Whether a Stearns student plans to enter the workforce immediately after high school, go to a technical college, or pursue a college degree, we offer classes that will assist them in achieving their academic and career goals.

picture of a sketch of the school building

Mission Statement

Stearns Junior-Senior High School is dedicated to providing a world class education that is rigorous, relevant, and motivating to ensure that students reach their individual potential in an environment of continual learning for both students and staff.

The Values by Which We Live:

  • Punctuality – Be on time, all the time.

  • Respect – Be considerate of the actions, beliefs, thoughts and appearance of yourself and others.

  • Involvement – Be an active part of the school community.

  • Discipline – Be responsible for your actions and behavior.

  • Effort – Do your best, go above and beyond.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Stearns High School admits students of any gender, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national, or ethnic origin in the administration of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administrated programs.
Public Notifications
 Non-Discrimination
In compliance with Federal Regulation, Stearns High School provides annual “Notice of Non-Discrimination” to area residents.  Stearns High School provides equal access to all programs and services regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, race, or national origin.  Anyone who would like more information or wants to know how to file a complaint may do so by contacting:
Jolene Maynard, Section 504-ADA Coordinator
Stearns High School
199 State St.
Millinocket, ME 04462
Telephone: 723-6405
AHERA Management Plans
As required by the Department of Environmental Protection, this is the official notification of the availability of AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) management plans for Stearns High School.  Please contact the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for more information.
Pest Control and Pesticide Use
The school department uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to the control of insects, rodents, microorganisms, weeds and other pests in school buildings and on school grounds. IPM combines a variety of methods for managing pests including monitoring, improved sanitation and food storage practices, pest exclusion and removal, biological control, and pesticides. The objective of the IPM program is to provide effective pest control while minimizing pesticide use.
Annual Notice of Student Education Records and Information Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) provides certain rights to parents and eligible students (18 years of age or older) with respect to the student’s education records.

Academic , Civic and Social Expectations

Each l student will leave school as:

  • A Clear and Effective Communicator

  • A Creative and Practical Problem Solver

  • An Integrative and Informed Thinker

  • Civic expectations each student will leave school as:

A Responsible and Involved Citizen

  • Social expectations each student will leave school as:

  • A Self-directed and Life-long Learner

  • A Collaborative and Quality Worker

Many Stearns students take advantage of our Region III vocational programs during their time in high school. It is through these programs that students receive a solid background in areas of welding, industrial arts, automotives, nursing, culinary arts, emergency services, and audio engineering. By attending a Region III vocational program many students will receive certifications upon completion of their program.

Beth Peavey 6-12 Principal/athletic Director

Beth Peavey 6-12 Principal/Athletic Director

199 State Street

Millinocket, ME 04462

(207) 723-6430 - Phone

(207) 723-6437 - Fax

Student Handbook