Average
#429 of 542 schools in ME
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
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Portland
#3 of 6
public schools
Maine elementary schools
#247 of 337
In district
#3 of 6
South Portland Public Schools
About James Otis Kaler Elementary School
James Otis Kaler Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in South Portland, Maine. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 179 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at James Otis Kaler Elementary is rated at 4.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 27th percentile among Maine schools based on its state ranking of #396 out of 542.
In terms of standardized test scores, 69% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 60% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these scores indicating room for academic growth, the school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers committed to student development. The setting is ideal within the small city community of South Portland, offering a close-knit atmosphere where families can easily connect and engage with their children's education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 179 students, James Otis Kaler Elementary 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 8.5:1, James Otis Kaler Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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: 81%).
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 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: 5.6/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 82% (2022).
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. LEVEY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pleasant Hill School (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Scarborough), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ocean Avenue (rated 6.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably 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 | 5.2 |
| Dyer Elementary School South Portland | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 4.8 |
| Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL South Portland | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| AUCOCISCO SCHOOL Cape Elizabeth | 1.3 mi | — |
| King Middle School Portland | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Portland High School Portland | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences Portland | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Waldo T Skillin Elementary School South Portland | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Dora L Small Elementary School South Portland | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| 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 | 3.6 |
| Ocean Avenue Portland | 3.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Pleasant Hill School Scarborough | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Deering High School Portland | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Otis Kaler 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 |
|---|---|
| Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls Mechanic Falls, ME | 5.1 |
| Vine Street School Bangor, ME | 5.0 |
| Meroby Elementary School Mexico, ME | 5.2 |
| Jefferson Village School Damariscotta, ME | 4.9 |
| Ralph M Atwood Primary School Oakland, ME | 4.9 |
| River View Community School South Gardiner, ME | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #429 out of 542 schools in ME.
What is James Otis Kaler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Otis Kaler Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 James Otis Kaler Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Otis Kaler Elementary School has 60.3% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (207) 799-3214
- 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
- #3 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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