Below Average
#458 of 542 schools in ME
Dora L Small Elementary School
Elementary School · South Portland Public Schools
87 Thompson Street, South Portland, ME 04106
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Portland
#4 of 6
public schools
Maine elementary schools
#263 of 337
In district
#4 of 6
South Portland Public Schools
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Dora L Small Elementary School
Dora L Small Elementary School is a welcoming public school in South Portland, Maine, serving students from kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 204 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The dedicated teaching staff includes 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure academic success.
Dora L Small Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks as the 211th best elementary school in Maine based on state standards, placing it at the 61st percentile among all schools in the state. In terms of academic performance, 87% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 75% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These results indicate a strong foundation with room for continued improvement.
Situated in South Portland’s urban setting, Dora L Small Elementary School is embedded within a vibrant community that supports its educational initiatives and fosters a nurturing environment for young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Dora L Small Elementary School — Students at Dora L Small Elementary School score 87% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.
How Dora L Small Elementary School Compares
See how Dora L Small Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 92% (2022).
Location
87 Thompson Street, South Portland, ME 04106
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dora L Small Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEVEY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Presumpscot School (rated 6.7/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY CROSS SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South Portland, see our South Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL South Portland | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| AUCOCISCO SCHOOL Cape Elizabeth | 1.7 mi | — |
| Portland High School Portland | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences Portland | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| East End Community School Portland | 2.3 mi | 3.6 |
| James Otis Kaler Elementary School South Portland | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| WAYNFLETE SCHOOL Portland | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| South Portland High School South Portland | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Peaks Island School Peaks Island | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| King Middle School Portland | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Dyer Elementary School South Portland | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Pond Cove Elementary Cape Elizabeth | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Presumpscot School Portland | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| GREATER PORTLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL South Portland | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| LEVEY DAY SCHOOL Portland | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| GLICKMAN ACADEMY Portland | 3.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,744
Median Home Value
$403,500
Median Rent
$1,642/mo
Population
26,966
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
60.4%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dora L Small Elementary School has a median household income of $83,744. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,500, with a median rent of $1,642/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland, ME | 4.8 |
| Clinton Elementary School Clinton, ME | 4.7 |
| Line Elementary West Newfield, ME | 4.7 |
| Walton School Auburn, ME | 4.7 |
| Jefferson Village School Damariscotta, ME | 4.9 |
| Ralph M Atwood Primary School Oakland, ME | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dora L Small Elementary School
What grades does Dora L Small Elementary School serve?
Dora L Small Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Dora L Small Elementary School?
Dora L Small Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 204 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dora L Small Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dora L Small Elementary School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dora L Small Elementary School rank in ME?
Dora L Small Elementary School is ranked #458 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is Dora L Small Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dora L Small Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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.
What are the test scores at Dora L Small Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dora L Small Elementary School has 75.3% math proficiency and 87.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dora L Small Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dora L Small Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dora L Small Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dora L Small Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dora L Small Elementary School?
22.1% of students at Dora L Small Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,444/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South Portland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 204
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cumberland County
- Phone
- (207) 799-7676
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Portland Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,942
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,364
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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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