Photo: Peter Dutton from Forest Hills, Queens, USA · CC BY 2.0South Portland’s public schools score below 62% of Maine districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving South Portland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 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 97% 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.
South Portland’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 84% of tested students were proficient in reading and 77% in math, against 84% and 82% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,434 per student, against $20,630 across Maine (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is South Portland Middle School, then South Portland High School. Enrollment is up 27% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Greater Portland Christian School (private), Holy Cross School (private) and Connections for Kids - Portland Academy (private) are in town. Maine Connections Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 South Portland’s grade
C+: better than 38% of Maine school districts, #85 of 142 Maine towns. Graduation is above the Maine average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve South Portland, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in South Portland · depends on your address
Dyer Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 194 students · 10:1 students per teacher
James Otis Kaler Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 179 students · 8:1 students per teacher
5th grade in South Portland
South Portland Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 807 students · 9:1 students per teacher
6th grade in South Portland
South Portland Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 807 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in South Portland
South Portland Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 807 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in South Portland
South Portland Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 807 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in South Portland
South Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 928 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in South Portland
South Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 928 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in South Portland
South Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 928 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in South Portland
South Portland High School
Grades 9–12 · 928 students · 12:1 students per teacher
South Portland’s public schools are run by South 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.
Close to the state in reading
South Portland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maine towns that share South Portland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Portland | C+ | South Portland |
| Portland | D | Portland |
| Cape Elizabeth | A+ | Cape Elizabeth |
| Scarborough | A | Scarborough |
Every school in South Portland
11 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).
Questions about South Portland’s schools
Are South Portland’s schools good?
On Maine’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools South Portland children attend score below 62% of Maine’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #85 of 142 Maine towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Portland in?
South Portland, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,816 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do South Portland kids go to high school?
South Portland High School, with 928 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is South Portland’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in South Portland graduated in four years, against 87% across Maine.
How much does South Portland spend per student?
$21,434 in South Portland (FY2024), against $20,630 across Maine. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in South Portland?
Yes: Greater Portland Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 150 students), Holy Cross School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 107 students) and Connections for Kids - Portland Academy (special education, grades 2–6, 6 students).
Parents talk
What South Portland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South 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.