Photo: PhilipC · CC BY 2.0Portland’s public schools score below 89% of Maine districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Portland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Portland’s districts is 71%, below the Maine average (82%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maine, not nationally.
From Maine state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 81% of tested students were proficient in reading and 71% in math, against 84% and 82% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,215 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences, Waynflete School (private), St. Brigid School (private), Cheverus High School (private), Breakwater School (private), Levey Day School (private), The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism (private) and Glickman Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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
D: better than 11% of Maine school districts, #135 of 142 Maine towns. Both inputs trail the Maine average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Portland, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Portland · depends on your address
Lyman Moore Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 470 students · 10:1 students per teacher
King Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 434 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 382 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Portland · depends on your address
Lyman Moore Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 470 students · 10:1 students per teacher
King Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 434 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 382 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Portland · depends on your address
Lyman Moore Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 470 students · 10:1 students per teacher
King Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 434 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 382 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Portland · depends on your address
Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 912 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Deering High School
Grades 9–12 · 850 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Casco Bay High School
Grades 9–12 · 379 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Portland · depends on your address
Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 912 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Deering High School
Grades 9–12 · 850 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Casco Bay High School
Grades 9–12 · 379 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Portland’s public schools are run by Portland. 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.
Below the state in reading
Portland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maine towns that share Portland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | D | Portland |
| Westbrook | D | Westbrook |
| Falmouth | A+ | Falmouth |
| South Portland | C+ | South Portland |
| Chebeague Island | — | Chebeague Island |
| Long Island | — | Long Island |
| Cape Elizabeth | A+ | Cape Elizabeth |
Every school in Portland
24 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maine’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Portland Arts & Technology H S).
Questions about Portland’s schools
Are Portland’s schools good?
On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Portland children attend score below 89% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #135 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 7%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Portland in?
Portland, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,548 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
Where do Portland kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Portland High School, Deering High School and Casco Bay High School.
What is Portland’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Portland graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.
How much does Portland spend per student?
$22,215 in Portland (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Portland?
Yes: Waynflete School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 552 students), St. Brigid School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 370 students), Cheverus High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 344 students), Breakwater School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 124 students), Levey Day School (religious, grades K–8, 44 students), The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism (special education, grades PK–12, 39 students) and Glickman Academy (special education, grades 4–12, 31 students). Portland also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
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 Maine. Stars are from neighbors.