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#339 of 542 schools in ME

Portland High School

High School · Portland Public Schools

284 Cumberland AV, Portland, ME 04101

Enrollment

968

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#339 of 542

In Portland

#10 of 15

public schools

In district

#9 of 15

Portland Public Schools

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Portland High School

5.8/10

High School in Portland · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences

7.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Howard C Reiche Community Sch

5.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Portland High School

Portland High School is a public high school in Portland, ME, part of Portland Public Schools. Portland High School serves approximately 968 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Portland High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #339 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for Portland High School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • ME avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Portland High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency80% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation14.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,359
Chronic Absenteeism37.9%

Portland High School — Students at Portland High School score 80% 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

44.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from ME state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
82%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How Portland High School Compares

See how Portland High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in ME
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
24
12 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
14.9% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
12 boys'·12 girls'·40 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

284 Cumberland AV, Portland, ME 04101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Portland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences (rated 7.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHEVERUS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Portland High School (rated 6.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby South Portland), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences Portland 0.2 mi 7.9
Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland 0.7 mi 5.1
East End Community School Portland 0.9 mi 5.8
King Middle School Portland 0.8 mi 3.7
WAYNFLETE SCHOOL Portland 1.1 mi 7.5
LEVEY DAY SCHOOL Portland 1.3 mi 7.3
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL South Portland 1.7 mi 6.0
Presumpscot School Portland 1.8 mi 6.9
Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland 1.7 mi 6.6
CHEVERUS HIGH SCHOOL Portland 1.7 mi 6.4
GLICKMAN ACADEMY Portland 2.0 mi
Dora L Small Elementary School South Portland 1.8 mi 6.2
Ocean Avenue Portland 1.8 mi 8.0
James Otis Kaler Elementary School South Portland 2.1 mi 6.5
South Portland High School South Portland 2.6 mi 6.1
Deering High School Portland 2.0 mi 5.6
Longfellow School-Portland Portland 2.1 mi 7.6
Dyer Elementary School South Portland 2.7 mi 4.7
Lincoln Middle School Portland 2.2 mi 6.8
GREATER PORTLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL South Portland 2.5 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,726

Median Home Value

$600,600

Median Rent

$1,457/mo

Population

18,128

College Educated

57.2%

Homeownership

22.6%

Avg Commute

19 min

Poverty Rate

17.5%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
FRYEBURG ACADEMY Fryeburg, ME 5.7
Deering High School Portland, ME 5.6
Brewer High School Brewer, ME 6.1
South Portland High School South Portland, ME 6.1
Westbrook High School Westbrook, ME 6.1
Mt Blue High School Farmington, ME 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Portland High School

What grades does Portland High School serve?

Portland High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Portland High School?

Portland High School has an enrollment of approximately 968 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Portland High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Portland High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Portland High School rank in ME?

Portland High School ranks #339 of 542 schools in ME.

What is Portland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Portland High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Portland High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Portland High School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Portland High School a charter school?

No, Portland High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Portland High School a Title I school?

No, Portland High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portland High School?

44.6% of students at Portland High 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

Walk Score
99 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
81 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
968
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cumberland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.9%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Portland Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,649
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,359
District Rank
#9 of 15

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