Best Schools in South Portland, Maine
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in South Portland?
Use this page to compare every school in South Portland by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Greater Portland Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Frank I Brown Elementary School
Elementary · South Portland Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
James Otis Kaler Elementary School
Elementary · South Portland Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in South Portland for 2026 are Greater Portland Christian School (7.0/10), Frank I Brown Elementary School (6.6/10), and James Otis Kaler Elementary School (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
10
7 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$264,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
7 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$264,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in South Portland
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Portland Christian School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Frank I Brown Elementary School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | James Otis Kaler Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Dora L Small Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 5 | South Portland High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Holy Cross School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Dyer Elementary School | 4.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Waldo T Skillin Elementary School | 4.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $66,622
- Median home value
- $264,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How South Portland compares
Maine rank
#41 of 72
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Maine avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
93% of Maine median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in South Portland, Maine
South Portland, Maine is home to 10 schools, including 7 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in South Portland show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in South Portland is Greater Portland Christian School with a composite score of 7.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
South Portland is served by 2 school districts: Arthur R. Gould Sch--LCYDC, South Portland Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,953 students.
South Portland's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,622. The poverty rate in the area is 15.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 222 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 179 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.5 | ||
| 3 | 204 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | 212 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 311 students · Kindergarten–4th | 4.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Holy Cross School
Private
148 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.0 | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 995 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 11 students · 7th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 129 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 20 students · 1st–11th | — |
Schools in South Portland
South Portland, Maine · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$66,622
Median Home Value
$264,100
Median Rent
$1,116/mo
Population
29,088
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Community Profile
South Portland has a median household income of $66,622. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $264,100, with a median rent of $1,116/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Maine
- Elementary
- 6
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in South Portland, Maine
How many schools are in South Portland, Maine?
South Portland has 10 schools, including 7 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in South Portland, Maine?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in South Portland is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in South Portland, Maine?
The top-ranked school in South Portland on MySchoolScout is Greater Portland Christian School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in South Portland, Maine?
The top-ranked elementary school in South Portland on MySchoolScout is Frank I Brown Elementary School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in South Portland, Maine?
The top-ranked high school in South Portland on MySchoolScout is South Portland High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve South Portland, Maine?
South Portland is served by 2 school districts: Arthur R. Gould Sch--lcydc, South Portland Public Schools.
What is the education level in South Portland, Maine?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in South Portland have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in South Portland, Maine?
The median household income in South Portland is approximately $66,622 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in South Portland, Maine?
Yes, South Portland has 3 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Greater Portland Christian School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in South Portland, Maine?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in South Portland is 8.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in South Portland, Maine?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Maine Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.