Skip To Main Content

Close trigger menu ( Don't delete )

Find It Fast

Main Navigation

Schools Nav

Mobile Utility

Mobile Translate

Header Holder

Header Right

Schools Navs

Header Utility

Translate

Search Container

Landing Nav

Breadcrumb

Home

Hero

Last Day of School is June 17

The last day of school for students is Tuesday, June 17. Schools will dismiss students three hours before their usual release time. Students at all schools will have access to lunch. 
 

View Calendar

Sessions on School Attendance Boundaries

The Attendance Boundaries Advisory Committee is hosting initial public meetings June 2–4 to gather input on possible changes to school enrollment boundaries. View dates, details, and virtual meeting link!

Learn More

Portland High Seniors Recognized for Excellence

Congratulations to Anneliese Collin and Louis Thurston, recipients of SMAA Citizenship Awards! Their leadership and achievement reflect our district’s commitment to student success.

Read More

We Want Your Feedback: Proposed Cell Phone Policy

Stakeholder meetings begin May 7 on a proposed policy that would ban student cell phone use during the school day. Share your input before the Board votes in June.

Learn More

Celebrating Student Achievement at Deering

Seniors Mya Landry and Khalid Mahamed received SMAA Citizenship Awards for their leadership and academic excellence—reflecting the spirit of achievement across PPS.

Learn More

PHS Educator Honored for Excellence in Arts Education

Congratulations to Elise Pelletier, named 2025 Art Educator of the Year! Her dedication to student creativity and educator leadership reflects our Strategic Plan priorities of People. 

Read More

FY 2026 Budget

The school budget shapes critical decisions that impact students, staff, and schools across our district. Stay informed about key dates and discover ways to be involved in this important process!

Learn More

PPS Community Newsletter

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

Read Now

Icons Navigation

News/Announcements

District News & Calendars

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

DEFAULT IMAGE

Update your news here

Last Day of School Update

The last day of school for students for the 2024-2025 school year will be Tuesday, June 17, and the last teacher day will be Wednesday, June 18. On the last student day, schools will dismiss students three hours before their usual release time.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Last Day of School Update
"Funding our Priorities" FY26 school budget logo

The City Council voted unanimously on May 19 to approve the $171.8 million 2025-2026 school year budget recommended by the Portland Board of Public Education. The vote now sends the budget to City voters on June 10. The budget balances fiscal constraints with necessary investments to increase academic rigor, foster a joyful and supportive school culture and help provide more effective instruction to students with disabilities. It would raise the school portion of the property tax rate by 5.33 percent ($0.42 per $1,000 of assessed value). For the owner of a median-priced $500,000 home, the budget would increase property taxes by $210 per year or $17.50 per month.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Council Approves FY26 School Budget
USM, PPS Partner To Reduce Waste

The New England Environmental Finance Center (NEEFC) at the University of Southern Maine is working with the Portland Public Schools (PPS) on a comprehensive environmental audit and action plan to reduce waste and improve sustainability in 17 of the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. The audit, which began in January, has focused on the district’s school kitchens, cafeterias and Food Service program. Its recommendations so far have the potential to save about $4,000 per year in trash pickup costs at each school. They can also help save time, energy and the environment.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about USM, PPS Partner To Reduce Waste
PHS National Merit Scholar Madeline Butters

Portland High School senior Madeline Butters has won a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship, and now is officially a Merit Scholar. She is one of just eight Maine seniors to be awarded that scholarship and among 2,500 Merit Scholars chosen from a nationwide talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

  • Portland High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PHS Senior Is National Merit Scholar
Public Sessions on Boundaries Set for June

Initial public engagement sessions regarding the work of the Attendance Boundaries Advisory Committee are set for early June. Here are the dates, times and locations of the meetings: 

  • Monday, June 2, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m, in person at Ocean Avenue Elementary School
  • Tuesday, June 3, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m, in person at King Middle School
  • Wednesday, June 4, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m, VIRTUAL. Here's the link to join
  • Elementary Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Public Sessions on Boundaries Set for June
Poster for Lyman Moore musical Beauty and the Beast

Portland Community: You're invited to Lyman Moore Middle School's annual musical, which opens Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. Come see our students showcase their talents in Beauty and the Beast, a classic tale about love, transformation, and finding beauty in unexpected places. There also are shows on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.

  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Whole Student
Read More about Lyman Moore's Annual Musical May 9
Update on Boundaries Committee Meeting

An inaccurate May 1 story by News Center Maine (WCSH6) about the meeting that night of the district's Attendance Boundaries Advisory Committee has generated confusion regarding Lincoln Middle School. At the district's request, WCSH6 has retracted the news report. Please view the following communication from the Portland Public Schools that addresses the inaccuracies and clarifies the role of the Advisory Committee:

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Update on Boundaries Committee Meeting
Student City Hall Art Show Opens May 2!

The annual Portland Public Schools district-wide student art show at City Hall is kicking off with a celebratory reception on Friday, May 2, in conjunction with the May First Friday Art Walk.  The event will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until May 16, enabling the public to enjoy student artwork from all schools in the district on display.

  • Achievement
  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Whole Student
Read More about Student City Hall Art Show Opens May 2!
Sips, Sweets and Stories fundraiser graphic

Sips, Sweets, and Stories, the spring fundraiser put on by the Portland Public Schools’ Multilingual and Multicultural Center, was a great success. The April 16 event raised nearly $5,000 to benefit the district’s award-winning Make It Happen program, a college-readiness and academic success initiative that equips multilingual students with the skills, confidence, and tools they need to prosper in school and beyond.

  • Achievement
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Whole Student
Read More about Sips, Sweets, and Stories a Success!
Stakeholder Engagement Meeting List

A series of stakeholder engagement meetings will take place this month on a proposed policy that would ban students from having cell phones or other personal electronic devices on their person during regular school hours. The stakeholder engagement meetings are designed to get feedback from parents/guardians and staff on the policy before the Board of Public Education votes on it. Separate stakeholder meetings for high school students also are being scheduled by their individual schools.

  • Achievement
  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Whole Student
Read More about Board to Consider Cell Phone Ban
EECS Foster Grandparent Jackie Burris with award

Jackie Burris, a Foster Grandparent at East End Community School, and Fran Seeley, a Foster Grandparent at Talbot Community School, were recognized at the 2025 Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism ceremony last week. Burris won this year’s Outstanding National Service Volunteer award and Seeley also was honored for volunteering more than 500 hours over the past year.

  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Whole Student
Read More about Governor Honors PPS Foster ‘Grammies’
"Funding our Priorities" FY26 school budget logo

The proposed $171.8 million FY26 school budget is headed to the City Council for a first read and public hearing on Monday, May 5, following approval by the Council's Finance Committee. This Council public hearing and another one on May 19 are opportunities for the PPS community to make their voices heard regarding this fair and responsible budget, which benefits students and supports educators.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Systems
Read More about City Finance Committee Recommends Budget
CBHS Mock Trial Superior Solicitor Donors logo

The Casco Bay High School Mock Trial Team wishes to express their gratitude to four more generous members of Maine’s legal community for helping to sponsor the team’s trip to the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, May 7-11. “Thank you to the law firms of Perkins Thompson, Berman & Simmons and Mann Law, and also to the Maine Trial Lawyers Association,” said Jake McNally, Casco Bay math teacher and Mock Trial coach. 

  • Casco Bay High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about CBHS Mock Trial Team Grateful to Donors
Margaret Hoyt 2025 Russell Award Winner

Each year, the University of Southern Maine’s Walter E. Russell Chair in Philosophy and Education honors a Deering High School educator who embodies the core values of the teaching profession – someone who ignites a passion for discovery in students, engages in the school’s ongoing life, and brings creativity and innovation to the classroom. This year’s honoree is special education teacher Margaret Hoyt.

  • Deering High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Margaret Hoyt 2025 Russell Award Winner
2025-2026 district calendar

At its April 8 meeting, the Board of Public Education unanimously approved a 2025-2026 district calendar that includes Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as new district holidays. Starting in the fall, students and staff at the Portland Public Schools, Maine’s most diverse school district, can observe those major religious holidays with their families without having to miss school. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Religious Holidays Added to Calendar
"Funding our Priorities" FY26 school budget logo

The Portland Board of Public Education voted on April 8 to approve a $171.8 million school budget for the 2025-2026 school year to recommend to the City Council. The Board’s fiscal year 2026 budget focuses on strengthening student experiences and outcomes and is directly aligned to the new Strategic Plan. The Board’s recommended FY26 budget now goes to the City Council, which moves forward its bottom line. A final Council vote on the school budget is anticipated on May 19 and it will go to voters on June 10.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Sends FY26 Budget to Council
Halal meals graphic of student enjoying a meal

As of April 1, the PPS Food Service team has been serving halal meals as a daily lunch option. Halal refers to foods that are permissible for Muslims to consume. Halal foods are free of ingredients like pork or alcohol, and comply with rules and standards around preparation and cleanliness. PPS halal meals are healthy, more inclusive menu items that all students can enjoy – not just students who follow a halal way of eating. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Offers Students Halal Lunch Options
Murray Plumb and Murray law firm logo

The Casco Bay High School Mock Trial Team is very grateful to a Portland law firm for its generous support as the team heads to a national competition in May. “Thank you to Murray Plumb & Murray for sponsoring the Casco Bay High School Mock Trial team at the superior solicitors level,” said Jake McNally, Casco Bay math teacher and Mock Trial coach. 

  • Casco Bay High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Law Firm Sponsors CBHS Mock Trial Team

Circle Slider

Change your gallery here

Enhancing academic preparedness for college and career and instilling a joy of learning in our students by delivering a universally accessible, rigorous, and equitable curriculum.

Learn More

Cultivating inclusivity and connecting community through partnering with families and community organizations to nurture supportive, inclusive school communities that promote belonging and engagement.

Learn More

Elevating recruitment, retention, and staff development practices focused on ensuring instructional excellence and cultivating an inclusive work environment that supports collaboration and staff well-being.

Learn More

books

Streamlining operations for equity, efficacy, and accountability through developing and implementing consistent and clear operational procedures and systems.

Learn More

The Portland Public Schools strives to be an anti-racist, inclusive district by vigilantly supporting each student to achieve their potential and rooting out systemic inequities. 

Learn More

Charting a Course To Success, Together

The district's Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap for Maine’s largest and most diverse school district.

The Strategic Plan has five strategic priorities with specific initiatives aligned to each one. The priorities are: Equity, Achievement, Whole Student, People and Systems.

 

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

View More Facts

6498

Students

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

59

Languages Spoken

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

78%

Graduation Rate

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

56.8%

Economically Disadvantaged

Students are identified as economically disadvantaged based on eligibility for free or reduced-price meal programs or other criteria reflecting economic need.

161.4M

2024-2025 Budget

The budget is grounded in equity, centers students, supports our staff and schools and is aligned to our Strategic Plan.

1445

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.