Maine Central Institute

Maine Central Institute is an independent college preparatory day and boarding school founded in 1866 by Free Will Baptists, Maine Central Institute (MCI) retains the inventive spirit and values of its founders but no longer has any formal affiliation with any church. During the school’s pioneer years, MCI served as a feeder school to Bates College in nearby Lewiston, Maine.

Although adhering to upstanding and traditional educational values, MCI is progressive and broadminded, pledging to provide a comprehensive college-preparatory education to a multicultural student body diverse in talents, abilities, and interests.

In a safe and caring atmosphere, students will acquire knowledge, self-esteem, social responsibility, and the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for global citizenship and lifelong learning. A high level of rigor and expectation of excellence in all components of the school’s operation is critical, whether that be the academic program, the residential program, the co-curricular activities or the overall support system at the school. The people at MCI work diligently to focus on each student as an individual to ensure that every person grows academically, socially and physically and becomes a global citizen.

Maine Central Institute is located in a safe and scenic New England town approximately 40 minutes from Augusta (Capital City) and 3 hours from Boston, Massachusetts and Logan International Airport.

Pittsfield is a friendly, close-knit community which is nestled in between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of western Maine. It provides prime opportunities for hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, swimming, skating, and snowmobiling. The campus is within walking distance of local eateries, library, regional airport, recreational parks, shopping, hiking trails, and a movie theater. Students are involved with many community and volunteer causes throughout the year.

Accreditation
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Membership with Maine Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Independent School Association of Northern New England (ISANNE), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and the College Board.

Academic Facilities
There are 17 buildings housed on the 23-acre campus. Visitors are greeted upon entrance with the stoic simplicity of the campus with its brick-front buildings and the historic bell tower of Founder’s Hall.

The Math and Science Center is a 23,000-square-foot recent addition to MCI, including fifteen instructional spaces, two computer classrooms which provide students for AP computer science course and on campus SAT/TOEFL exam. A new media room which includes a Green Screen and new filming equipment provides the place for the students in our filming courses. Maine Central Institute also has an art studio, dark room, ballet studios, and a nearby greenhouse.

MCI adopted a one-to-one computer program in 2013, providing every student with an iPad for use at school and at home. Students can access Wi-Fi throughout campus and the dormitories. The school also has 100 additional computers available for student use. Students have access to the Powell Memorial Library on campus.

Athletic Facilities
Maine Central Institute’s sports facilities include two gymnasiums with modern basketball courts and weightlifting equipment, football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, softball, and baseball fields, golf course, an outdoor track, a rifle range and tennis courts. Nearby ski facilities are used for skiing competitions. An indoor track, swimming and diving pool are all located within a short driving distance from campus.

Boarding and General Facilities
Boarding students reside in 3 single-sex residence halls on campus, supervised by resident faculty and staff members. There is also one more option for the highest-achieving residential students to live in the Honors Dormitory. Each dormitory is outfitted with Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, washing machines, dryers, modern bathrooms, and  a lounge area with a big screen TV. Rooms include a bed, desk, wardrobe, dresser, bookshelf, and chair for each student. Students may have small refrigerators, TVs, stereos, irons and personal computers in their rooms. The residential hall lounges are common areas for all boarding students and their guests to enjoy.

The Trustee Memorial Student Center was recently added to the MCI campus. It is home to the dining hall, student lounge, and garden sitting area, including a performance stage, food court, garden benches, and game room.

Weymouth Hall houses the ESL Center, the Wellness Center, the school bookstore, and an additional student lounge.

College Counseling Program
A guidance team of 5 professional and experienced college counselors is available for students.  Counselors are responsible primarily for helping students with post-secondary placement and academic program planning. Students receive one-on-one guidance from their counselors over the course of their four years. Counselors help students with finding colleges or universities that best meet students’ interests, while guiding them through all steps of the application process. This guidance is provided to all students and is included in the cost of tuition.  College Counselors also organized college fairs each year on campus.  Approximately 90 college and university admission representatives visit Maine Central Institute’s campus annually. Our counselor also organized college campus tours for our current students for all grades so that you could visit colleges and learn more about their programs. In addition to it, counselors also organize workshops of financial aid and scholarships for seniors, postgraduates, and their parents.

Maine Central institute has an international college counselor who specifically helps our international students with finding schools and guides them through the whole college application process.

Preparation for the SAT and ACT is offered within the math and English curricula. Supplemental SAT preparation is offered outside of the school day. Maine Central Institute is a registered SAT test center; students are able to register and take the SAT multiple times on MCI’s campus throughout a year.  Maine Central Institute Campus is also a TOEFL test center.

Manson Essay Program (since Late 1800’s)
Manson (pre-College level) Essay Program & Presentation: University Thesis project and report -– 5-10 finalists will have a presentation at the end. The Manson Essay is a distinguished junior essay requirement originating in the late1800’s. Junior spend months researching and writing on a topic of their choice and end the assignment with an oral presentation of their essay in front of their peers. Finalists are chosen from these presentations where they compete for the title of Manson Essay Winner.

The Senior Project
The senior project is a capstone assessment, integrating students’ mastery of communication skills, research techniques, public speaking conventions, and organization for independent, self-directed learning. Students devote five weeks to their chosen learning objectives, and then present their knowledge and product to peers, family, and community members.

Bossov Ballet Theater
Bossov Ballet Theatre offers MCI students a unique opportunity to study classical ballet as part of the academic curriculum. Ballet classes are taught by Natalya Nikolaevna Getman, a former dancer with the Moscow Ballet. The program allows students to earn full academic credit for ballet training. Students who complete the program are uniquely positioned either to matriculate to an outstanding college or join a professional ballet company.

Academic Support Program (Peer Tutor, Writing Center and ESL support)
Our faculty and students volunteer to assist international and domestic students coach students on how to use all the resources available to them a help them understand how to prepare for college applications and for testing.