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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+12.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)81%
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,364

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
82%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in ME
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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