As this school year gets underway, the Portland Public Schools has a new Strategic Plan, approved by the Portland Board of Public Education in June. The plan is the result of a tremendous effort over the past year by the whole PPS community, working and talking together – through Listen & Learn sessions, focus groups and surveys – about how best to fulfill our district’s unique potential.

Now we have a roadmap of the five priorities we want to achieve over the next five years – Equity, Achievement, Whole Student, People and Systems – and we’re inviting the community to again engage with us as we embark on a new series of Fall Listen & Learn sessions in October. These sessions will focus on one of the initiatives we have planned for the 2024-2025 school year to help realize our Achievement priority. That initiative is part of our re-envisioning High School for the Future efforts and is centered on strengthening academics and career and technical education preparation.

• Equity: With the goal of cultivating an inclusive environment where all students and families feel supported, launch initiatives to advance staff mindsets and cultural humility.
• Achievement: With the goal of elevating learning for every student:
  • Implement a rigorous new English Language Arts curriculum, EL Education, in elementary and middle schools.
  • Start the CKLA Skills Program for K-2 students to build essential reading skills.
  • Re-envision high school to strengthen academics and career and technical education preparation.
  • Enhance instruction for students with disabilities.
• Whole Student: With the goal of fostering a joyful, safe, and supportive school culture, implement a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and build strong student relationships.
• People: With the goal of creating a positive, inclusive workplace where staff feel valued and supported, develop a shared vision for a strong staff culture.
• Systems: With the goal of building a foundation for long-term success, improve how we communicate with staff, students, and families and design a multi-year financial model that supports our strategic priorities and ensures resources are allocated equitably. 

The seven upcoming Fall Listen and Learn sessions this month will focus on the initiative that calls for re-envisioning high school to strengthen academics and career and technical education preparation. Each of the Fall Strategic Plan/High School for the Future Listen & Learn sessions will be geared to a specific stakeholder group. If you belong to more than one group, please choose the date that works best for you.

We hope you will attend a session and/or fill out the survey you’ll also find on that page. You can find the dates, times and locations of each of these sessions on the

Get Involved in the High School for the Future page

The Portland Public Schools needs your input as we work to realize our Achievement priority in our new Strategic Plan by charting a course for a High School for the Future. To learn more about what is being envisioned and how you can get involved, visit:

High School for the Future page