Very Good
#5 of 64 private schools in ME
Top 6% of private schools
Breakwater School
Elementary School
856 BRIGHTON AVE, Portland, ME 04102
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Portland. Learn more
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Portland
#1 of 5
public schools
Maine elementary schools
#1 of 23
About Breakwater School
Breakwater School is a public elementary school located at 856 Brighton Ave in Portland, Cumberland, Maine. Serving pre-K through 8th grade students, the school has an enrollment of 100 pupils with a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, ensuring a personalized learning environment. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, Breakwater School focuses on providing individualized attention to each child.
While academic performance data is not available, the school ranks 75th percentile among Maine's schools and has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10. This suggests that while there may be room for improvement in test scores, Breakwater School prioritizes other aspects of student development such as social skills and emotional well-being. Breakwater School is situated within a small city setting, offering students easy access to local amenities and cultural resources.
The school community fosters a supportive environment where educators work closely with families to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 100 students, Breakwater School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Breakwater School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Breakwater School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Breakwater School compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Portland, ME
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Breakwater School (this school) | 7.9 |
| Amanda C Rowe School | 6.4 |
| Longfellow School-Portland | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Middle School | 6.3 |
| Ocean Avenue | 6.4 |
| Gerald E Talbot Community School | 3.6 |
| King Middle School | 4.9 |
| Lyman Moore Middle School | 6.0 |
| Howard C Reiche Community Sch | 4.3 |
| Harrison Lyseth Elem School | 5.9 |
| Presumpscot School | 6.7 |
| East End Community School | 3.6 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in ME.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in ME
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
856 BRIGHTON AVE, Portland, ME 04102
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Breakwater School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEVEY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Amanda C Rowe School (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ocean Avenue (rated 6.4/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda C Rowe School Portland | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Deering High School Portland | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Longfellow School-Portland Portland | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Middle School Portland | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| ST BRIGID SCHOOL Portland | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Gerald E Talbot Community School Portland | 1.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Ocean Avenue Portland | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| LEVEY DAY SCHOOL Portland | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Casco Bay High School Portland | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| THE GLICKMAN LAUDER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN AUTISM Portland | 1.9 mi | — |
| Arthur R. Gould Sch--LCYDC South Portland | 2.4 mi | — |
| Westbrook Middle School Westbrook | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| CHEVERUS HIGH SCHOOL Portland | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| THE LITTLE DOLPHIN SCHOOL FOUNDATION Westbrook | 2.3 mi | — |
| Westbrook High School Westbrook | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Oxford-Cumberland Canal School Westbrook | 2.1 mi | 3.6 |
| King Middle School Portland | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Lyman Moore Middle School Portland | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Harrison Lyseth Elem School Portland | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Waldo T Skillin Elementary School South Portland | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,631
Median Home Value
$464,100
Median Rent
$1,435/mo
Population
17,642
College Educated
62.3%
Homeownership
50.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Breakwater School has a median household income of $79,631. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,100, with a median rent of $1,435/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brownfield Denmark Elementary School Denmark, ME | 7.9 |
| Jonesport Elementary School Jonesport, ME | 7.9 |
| Union Elementary Union, ME | 8.0 |
| Dresden Elementary School Dresden, ME | 7.8 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe, ME | 7.8 |
| Trenton Elementary School Trenton, ME | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Breakwater School
What grades does Breakwater School serve?
Breakwater School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Breakwater School?
Breakwater School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Breakwater School?
The student-teacher ratio at Breakwater School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Breakwater School rank in ME?
Breakwater School is ranked #5 out of 64 private schools in ME.
What is Breakwater School's MySchoolScout rating?
Breakwater School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Breakwater School a private school?
Yes, Breakwater School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Breakwater School a religious school?
No, Breakwater School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 100
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- CUMBERLAND
- Phone
- (207) 772-8689
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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