Public School Approval

The Maine Department of Education requires school administrative units (SAUs) and public schools, and approved private schools to be approved annually. Maine Rule Chapter 125 lays out the details of annual school approval, required per 20-A M.R.S. Chapter 206. Directories of Maine schools can be found here.

The approval process for public SAUs/schools originates with the SAU superintendent or school director/head office, where NEO’s Staff and Maine Schools and School Approval modules are updated and completed annually. The Department’s Helpdesk can assist with completion of these requirements.

The following links also contain information and instructions:

• FY2024 citation chart update_2.pdf
• Instructions - NEO Maine Schools and School Approval
• NEO Staff Training Guide

Because compliance with applicable school approval items is required in statute, schools and school administrative units that do not annually complete all items in their NEO Maine Schools and School Approval are placed on provisional status until items are brought into compliance. This includes units that operate no schools as well as those with partial and full grade schools; magnet schools; public charter schools; and career and technical schools. The School Enrollment/Approval Specialist works with all schools/SAUs to bring items into compliance. Routine site visits may also be conducted.

Related resources can be found at the following links:

• Certification - Teacher and Administrator Certification
• Maine Schools Information
• Data Submission & Management
• NEO Dashboard and Login
• NEO Reporting Calendar
• Maine Department of Education Helpdesk
• Maine DOE Newsroom