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FY25 Budget Presentation

The theme of the Portland Public Schools FY25 budget is “Centering Students,” which summarizes the essential priority of the budget.

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2024-25 Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten applications for the 2024-25 school year are now available until Mar 15th! No need to apply if your child is currently enrolled in one of our pre-kindergarten classrooms.

Apply Here

2023-24 Parent/Guardian Survey

Parents/guardians will receive the survey by email and text. Responses to the survey will help schools streamline decision-making and set priorities to provide the best possible education for students.

Tickets On Sale Now!

Tickets for Rock Around the World, a fundraiser featuring music and dances from around the world, are on sale now!

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ESSA Dashboard Updated with Latest Data

Each year the Maine Department of Education issues a report for each district and each school. These reports summarize state assessments, achievement data about our students and teacher qualifications. 

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Staff & Community Newsletter

Want the latest news and upcoming events? Read our latest newsletter!

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News/Announcements

District News & Calendars

Learn about the latest news and events for the Portland Public Schools.

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Deering Players Class A Trophy Winners!

The Deering Players came out on top at the Maine Drama Festival Class A regionals, held March 8 and 9 at Thornton Academy in Saco. The Deering High School team beat out several local powerhouse schools in the One Act competition with their production of Peter Bloedel’s The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet. The win means the Deering Players are now headed to the Maine Drama Festival State Class A Finals in Rockport later this month.

  • Deering High School
  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Deering Players Class A Trophy Winners!
2024-2025 School Year Calendar Approved

At its March 5 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education voted to approve a calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 – the day after the Labor Day holiday. Pre-K and kindergarten students will start on Thursday, Sept. 5. The last day of school for students is expected to be Friday, June 13, 2025. Please note that the last day of school may be subject to change, depending on the number of snow days taken.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about 2024-2025 School Year Calendar Approved
PPS 10th STEM Expo Kicks Off March 22

This year marks the Portland Public Schools 10th Annual STEM Expo, which PPS puts on each year in partnership with EnviroLogix.

The STEM Expo features exhibits put on by PPS students, local businesses, postsecondary schools and other organizations. It’s a way to showcase the STEM learning occurring in Portland Public Schools’ classrooms. The Expo also expands students’ STEM knowledge and exposes them to exciting career opportunities in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.The STEM Expo will look different in 2024.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS 10th STEM Expo Kicks Off March 22
Student Work on Display for Youth Art Month

Creative artwork from Portland Public Schools students is included in the Portland Museum of Art’s annual Youth Art Month exhibition showcasing the incredible talent of art education programs across Maine. Youth Art Month, a collaboration of the PMA with the Maine Art Education Association that takes place each year in March, also is an opportunity to highlight art educators and the importance of and access to quality art programs.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Student Work on Display for Youth Art Month
Superintendent Presents FY25 Budget Proposal

On March 5, Superintendent Ryan Scallon presented the Portland Board of Public Education with a recommended $161 million budget for the 2024-2025 school year that centers students, invests in schools and is aligned to the district’s emerging strategic plan. This is the first time that the district has presented a comprehensive budget of all revenues and expenses. The budget addresses significant fiscal challenges with strategic reductions and restructuring. It would raise the school portion of the property tax rate by 6.85%, adding just under $16 per month to the annual tax bill of the median-priced home in Portland. This tax rate increase is significantly below the 17.41% that would be necessary to replace all the lost revenue and the increasing expenses that the district faces.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Superintendent Presents FY25 Budget Proposal
DHS Play: Romeo & Juliet with a Twist

The community is invited to an enchanted evening of theater arts on Wednesday, March 6, at 6 p.m. when the Deering Players will present “The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet" at the Deering High School Auditorium, located at 370 Stevens Avenue.  Deering students will embark on this theatrical journey led by Maine's 2024 Teacher of the Year and Deering Drama Director Joshua Chard, alongside the school’s exceptionally talented audiovisual technician Cory Macgowan.

  • High Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about DHS Play: Romeo & Juliet with a Twist
Rowe Students to Sing at Mariners’ Game March 5

A group of talented young voices at Rowe Elementary School comes together once a week during recess, forming an extraordinary musical chorus led by dedicated music teacher Aidan Boardman. This group has not only become a source of joy for the students, but is now gearing up for a special performance: singing the national anthem at an upcoming Maine Mariners game, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on March 5.

  • Portland Public Schools
  • Rowe Elementary School
Read More about Rowe Students to Sing at Mariners’ Game March 5
Q&A with 2024 MaineTOY Joshua Chard!

Joshua Chard, a second- and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School, was named the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year last fall. Now he’s starting off the new year by sharing his insights about teaching in a Q&A with the Maine Department of Education. Find out why this veteran educator still loves teaching – one reason is that he gets “to be playful and joyful all day long with a bunch of small people” – and also how being Deering High School’s drama director helps him in the classroom. Learn more.

  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Q&A with 2024 MaineTOY Joshua Chard!
FPPS Launches Ed Feeney Athletics Fund

Anonymous donors have given the Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) a $50,000 matching donation to launch the Ed Feeney Athletics Fund, named after retired Portland High School girls basketball coach Ed Feeney. When Portland Public Schools coaches, teachers, or school social workers learn of a student who lacks basic athletic gear to play sports, the Foundation can now purchase that gear for students.

The Foundation is accepting further donations to the Ed Feeney Athletics Fund to assist even more students. All gifts will be matched dollar for dollar.

  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about FPPS Launches Ed Feeney Athletics Fund
Painting for Purpose Funds Student Projects

A student at Deering High School is founding a Kendama Club at Deering – believed to be the first such club at any Maine school – to bring diverse students together through a common hobby. Some eighth-graders at Lyman Moore Middle School are taking over their school’s news, creating a weekly broadcast to provide the student body with entertaining yet informative news about their school.

  • Casco Bay High School
  • Deering High School
  • King Middle School
  • Lyman Moore Middle School
  • Lyseth Elementary School
  • PATHS
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Painting for Purpose Funds Student Projects
Parent University 4th Grade Health Curriculum Overview

This upcoming Parent University session will offer an overview of the three-lesson fourth-grade health curriculum, which outlines the physical, social, and emotional changes that come in puberty. Also discussed will be why teaching this material is important, and what we can do together to partner to ensure a successful experience for your child

  • Elementary Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Parent University 4th Grade Health Curriculum Overview
CBHS’ Annual College March A Success

The college aspirations of Casco Bay High School students were on public display on Dec. 15, when CBHS seniors held the school’s 11th annual “College March” down Congress Street to the downtown post office. The entire senior class of nearly 100 students participated, mailing college applications or letters to a significant adult in their life who has supported their educational journey.

  • Casco Bay High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about CBHS’ Annual College March A Success
DHS Science Olympians Headed to Tournament

Deering High School’s accomplished Science Olympians are gearing up for the 10th annual Massachusetts Institute of Technology Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament this month – and are reaching out to the community for fundraising support to help them attend. Set for Saturday, Jan. 20 on the MIT campus, the in-person tournament will feature all 23 Division C national events, showcasing challenging lab and engineering competitions meticulously crafted and overseen by MIT's Science Olympiad alumni

  • Deering High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about DHS Science Olympians Headed to Tournament

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All PPS students will attain academic excellence.

All PPS students will be prepared for college and career and empowered to pursue a productive postsecondary path.

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All PPS students will acquire positive social and emotional skills.

All PPS students will develop the skills, habits and mindsets they need to engage in and contribute to our diverse city and ever-changing world

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Portland Public Schools attracts, supports and retains talented and diverse people.

Portland Public Schools attracts, supports and retains talented and diverse people
who use their strengths to achieve our shared goals.

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PPS courageously confronts and overcomes inequities.

PPS is vigilant in supporting each and every student's particular path to achieving high standards, rooting out systemic or ongoing inequities.

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prepared & empowered

The Portland Promise, the district's strategic plan, serves as a roadmap for Maine’s largest and most diverse school district.

The Portland Promise has four key goals: Achievement, Whole Student and People, all three of which are centered around the central goal of Equity.

 

Testimonials

What our alumni have to say about Portland Public Schools.

All of my teachers went out of their way to make sure I had the resources I needed to achieve my goals. The extracurricular programs allowed me to find my passion in helping others.

  • Alexandra Kiladjian
  • Portland High

PHS provided me with a strong foundation of cultural understanding, willingness to lead, and intellectual curiosity that have allowed me to fulfill my ambitions.

  • Aren Kiladjian
  • Portland High

All of the teachers in the ELL department went out of their way to help me learn. I had the resources I needed in school and outside the school to achieve my goals.

  • Zehra Abukar
  • Portland High & PATHS

Portland Public Schools

Fast Facts About Our District

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6632

Students

Our students come from a wide variety of culturally rich backgrounds. We believe that learning in diverse groups prepares students to thrive.

53

Languages Spoken

Top 10 most spoken languages in the district includes: English, Somali, Arabic, Lingala, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Vietnamese and Kinyarwanda

88%

Graduation Rate

The Portland Public Schools’ goal is that every student will graduate prepared and empowered for college and career. 

49%

Free and Reduced Lunch

Free-and-reduced lunch paperwork is low due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal and state funding has enabled every student to receive free meals without requiring income verification.

143.8M

2023-2024 Budget

The voter-approved 2023-2024 school budget balances the needs of the district with the city's fiscal realities. It builds off a theme of “Strengthening Academics, Behavioral Health and Operational Systems.” 

1425

Employees

We strive to attract and retain the most talented and diverse staff and are committed to ensuring that our staff members have the skills and support that they need to realize expectations.