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 2 public preschools serving 391 students in South Portland School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public pre schools in Maine.
Public Preschools in South Portland School District have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Maine public pre school average of 52%), and reading proficiency score of 82% (versus the 82% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maine public preschool average of 14% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (ME)
# Schools
7 Schools
259 Schools
# Students
2,942 Students
59,048 Students
# Teachers
285 Teachers
5,438 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 Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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%
Recent Articles
Is It Time to Say Goodbye to No Child Left Behind?
The Obama administration is proposing to leave NCLB behind. Learn about the proposed reforms that will change the No Child Left Behind Act.
How the Arts Benefit Your Children Academically and Behaviorally
Often underfunded in the past, the arts are gaining a resurgence in support as research shows benefits for children academically, along with improvements in behavior and attendance.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State’s Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We’ll look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
