With the academic year about to start, Niche.com is out with its annual rankings of the country's best schools. The analysis is based on academic data, measurements of culture and diversity, and input from over 750,000 students, teachers and parents, according to the website.

Studies like this may not always be an accurate depiction of local learning; survey results can't reveal all the qualities that make a school what it is. But regardless of their limitations, the rankings influence opinion about the institutions — and their communities. That result affects local real estate markets, business migration and more.

So it's worth paying attention to which schools are at the top of the class in Maine. Here are some of them.

Best School Districts

1. Yarmouth Schools
2. Cape Elizabeth Public Schools
3. Falmouth Public Schools
4. Scarborough Public Schools
5. School Administrative District No. 51 (Cumberland)
6. Regional School Unit No. 26 (Orono)
7. Brunswick Public Schools
8. Wells-Ogunquit Community School District
9. Islesboro Central School
10. Regional School Unit No. 21 (Kennebunk)

Best Public High Schools

1. Maine School of Science & Mathematics (Limestone)
2. Cape Elizabeth High School
3. Yarmouth High School
4. Falmouth High School
5. Scarborough High School

Best Private High Schools

1. Waynflete (Portland)
2. Berwick Academy (South Berwick)
3. Gould Academy (Bethel)
4. Kents Hill School (Kents Hill)
5. Cheverus High School (Portland)

More detailed results can be found here.