Top Rankings
South Portland School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Maine for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,942 students in South Portland School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Maine.
Public Schools in South Portland School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Maine public school average of 49%), and reading proficiency score of 81% (versus the 84% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maine public school average of 14% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (ME)
# Schools
7 Schools
596 Schools
# Students
2,942 Students
167,472 Students
# Teachers
285 Teachers
15,270 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
South Portland School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 182 school districts in Maine (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has increased from 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#90 out of 189 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
49%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
84%
84%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
37%
Graduation Rate
89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.57
0.26
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
1%
% Hispanic
8%
3%
% Black
21%
5%
% White
62%
86%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $22,157 is higher than the state median of $21,600. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $22,804 is higher than the state median of $21,191. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$65 MM
$3,617 MM
Spending
$67 MM
$3,549 MM
Revenue / Student
$22,157
$21,600
Spending / Student
$22,804
$21,191
Best South Portland School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dora L Small Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
87 Thompson Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-7676
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-7676
Gr: K-4 | 204 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Frank I Brown Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
37 Highland Ave
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-5196
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-5196
Gr: K-4 | 222 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Dyer Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
52 Alfred Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-4845
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-4845
Gr: PK-4 | 212 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
James Otis Kaler Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
165 South Kelsey Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-3214
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-3214
Gr: PK-4 | 179 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
Waldo T Skillin Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
180 Wescott Road
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-7375
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-7375
Gr: K-4 | 311 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #66.
South Portland High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
637 Highland Avenue
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 767-3266
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 767-3266
Gr: 9-12 | 995 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
120 Wescott Road
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-5629
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-5629
Gr: 5-8 | 819 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to South Portland School District?
South Portland School District manages 7 public schools serving 2,942 students.
What is the rank of South Portland School District?
South Portland School District is ranked #102 out of 182 school districts in Maine (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Maine school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in South Portland School District?
62% of South Portland School District students are White, 21% of students are Black, 8% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of South Portland School District?
South Portland School District has a student/teacher ratio of 10:1, which is lower than the Maine state average of 11:1.
What is South Portland School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $22,804 is higher than the state median of $21,191. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
