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#304 of 542 schools in ME

South Portland High School

High School · South Portland Public Schools

637 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME 04106

Enrollment

995

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maine schools

#304 of 542

In South Portland

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#4 of 6

South Portland Public Schools

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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South Portland High School

6.1/10

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

Dyer Elementary School

4.7/10

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

James Otis Kaler Elementary School

6.5/10

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

About South Portland High School

South Portland High School is a public high school in South Portland, ME, part of South Portland Public Schools. South Portland High School serves approximately 995 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Portland High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #304 of 542 schools in ME.

Structured state assessment records for South Portland High School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below ME schools
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • ME avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at South Portland High 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.

33% of students at South 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 Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)83% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation29%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,364
Chronic Absenteeism33%

South Portland High School — Students at South Portland High School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ME EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
51%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
67%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How South Portland High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in ME
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
5.0/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
29% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·41 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

637 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME 04106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Portland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cape Elizabeth High School (rated 8.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Cape Elizabeth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Portland High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Portland), with a very similar rating. For more schools in South Portland, see our South Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Dyer Elementary School South Portland 0.3 mi 4.7
James Otis Kaler Elementary School South Portland 0.5 mi 6.5
GREATER PORTLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL South Portland 1.1 mi 7.0
AUCOCISCO SCHOOL Cape Elizabeth 1.1 mi
Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland 1.3 mi 6.6
WAYNFLETE SCHOOL Portland 1.7 mi 7.5
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL South Portland 1.4 mi 6.0
Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland 2.0 mi 5.1
King Middle School Portland 2.5 mi 3.7
Waldo T Skillin Elementary School South Portland 1.9 mi 4.5
Portland High School Portland 2.6 mi 5.8
Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences Portland 2.7 mi 7.9
Dora L Small Elementary School South Portland 2.2 mi 6.2
Arthur R. Gould Sch--LCYDC South Portland 2.4 mi
Pleasant Hill School Scarborough 2.8 mi 8.1
Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth 2.6 mi 7.6
Pond Cove Elementary Cape Elizabeth 2.6 mi 8.0
LEVEY DAY SCHOOL Portland 3.1 mi 7.3
Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth 2.9 mi 8.1
East End Community School Portland 3.5 mi 5.8

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
Brewer High School Brewer, ME 6.1
Westbrook High School Westbrook, ME 6.1
Biddeford High School Biddeford, ME 6.3
Messalonskee High School Oakland, ME 6.3
Portland High School Portland, ME 5.8
Deering High School Portland, ME 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Portland High School

What grades does South Portland High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Portland High School?

South Portland High School has an enrollment of approximately 995 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Portland High School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Portland High School rank in ME?

South Portland High School ranks #304 of 542 schools in ME.

What is South Portland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Portland High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 South Portland High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Portland High School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is South Portland High School a charter school?

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

Is South Portland High School a Title I school?

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

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

36.3% of students at South 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
995
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cumberland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.0%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

How we rate schools

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