Photo: Artsistra · CC BY-SA 4.0Portland’s public schools score below 52% of Connecticut districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Portland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 50% of students in Portland’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Connecticut average (40%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Connecticut, not nationally.
From Connecticut state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Portland’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 180 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Portland’s, its schools beat 27%, lower than their 48% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 60% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,027 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Gildersleeve School, then Portland Middle School, then Portland High School. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Portland’s grade
B−: better than 48% of Connecticut school districts, #91 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores are above the Connecticut average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Portland, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Portland
Valley View School
Grades PK–1 · 219 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Portland
Valley View School
Grades PK–1 · 219 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Portland
Gildersleeve School
Grades 2–4 · 253 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Portland
Gildersleeve School
Grades 2–4 · 253 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Portland
Gildersleeve School
Grades 2–4 · 253 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Portland
Brownstone Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Portland
Brownstone Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Portland
Portland Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 214 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Portland
Portland Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 214 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Portland
Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 323 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Portland
Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 323 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Portland
Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 323 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Portland
Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 323 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Portland’s public schools are run by Portland School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Portland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Portland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | B− | Portland |
| Cromwell | B | Cromwell |
| East Hampton | B | East Hampton |
| Middletown | C | Middletown |
| Glastonbury | A | Glastonbury |
Every school in Portland
5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Connecticut’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Portland’s schools
Are Portland’s schools good?
On Connecticut’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Portland children attend score below 52% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #91 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Portland in?
Portland School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,226 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Portland kids go to high school?
Portland High School, with 323 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Portland’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Portland School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.
How much does Portland spend per student?
$24,027 in Portland School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Portland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portland → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Connecticut. Stars are from neighbors.