Average
#245 of 542 schools in ME
Top 45% in state
James Otis Kaler Elementary School
Elementary School · South Portland Public Schools
165 South Kelsey Street, South Portland, ME 04106
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maine schools
#245 of 542
In South Portland
#2 of 6
public schools
In district
#2 of 6
South Portland Public Schools
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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James Otis Kaler Elementary School
Elementary School in South Portland · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South Portland High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dyer Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Otis Kaler Elementary School
James Otis Kaler Elementary School is a public elementary school in South Portland, ME, part of South Portland Public Schools. James Otis Kaler Elementary School serves approximately 179 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James Otis Kaler Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #245 of 542 schools in ME.
Structured state assessment records for James Otis Kaler Elementary School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- ME avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 179 students, James Otis Kaler Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at James Otis Kaler Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 8.5:1 students to teachers, James Otis Kaler Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Otis Kaler Elementary School — Students at James Otis Kaler Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 8.0/10.
How James Otis Kaler Elementary School Compares
See how James Otis Kaler Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
165 South Kelsey Street, South Portland, ME 04106
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Otis Kaler Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pleasant Hill School (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Scarborough), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ocean Avenue (rated 8.0/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEVEY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in South Portland, see our South Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Portland High School South Portland | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Dyer Elementary School South Portland | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| WAYNFLETE SCHOOL Portland | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| GREATER PORTLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL South Portland | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL South Portland | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| AUCOCISCO SCHOOL Cape Elizabeth | 1.3 mi | — |
| King Middle School Portland | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Portland High School Portland | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences Portland | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Waldo T Skillin Elementary School South Portland | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Dora L Small Elementary School South Portland | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| LEVEY DAY SCHOOL Portland | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Arthur R. Gould Sch--LCYDC South Portland | 2.1 mi | — |
| East End Community School Portland | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Ocean Avenue Portland | 3.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Pleasant Hill School Scarborough | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Deering High School Portland | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acton Elementary School Acton, ME | 6.5 |
| Mary Snow School Bangor, ME | 6.5 |
| Bowdoinham Community School Bowdoinham, ME | 6.6 |
| Fort Fairfield Elementary School Fort Fairfield, ME | 6.4 |
| Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland, ME | 6.6 |
| Holden School Holden, ME | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Otis Kaler Elementary School
What grades does James Otis Kaler Elementary School serve?
James Otis Kaler Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend James Otis Kaler Elementary School?
James Otis Kaler Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 179 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Otis Kaler Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Otis Kaler Elementary School is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Otis Kaler Elementary School rank in ME?
James Otis Kaler Elementary School ranks #245 of 542 schools in ME.
What is James Otis Kaler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Otis Kaler Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Otis Kaler Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Otis Kaler Elementary School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is James Otis Kaler Elementary School a charter school?
No, James Otis Kaler Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Otis Kaler Elementary School a Title I school?
No, James Otis Kaler Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Otis Kaler Elementary School?
46.4% of students at James Otis Kaler 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 179
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cumberland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.8%
- Phone
- (207) 799-3214
Resources & Links
District
South Portland Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,942
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,364
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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