Portland Public Schools, Maine

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is the largest and most diverse public school district in Maine, serving approximately 6,500 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

The district comprises 17 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as Portland Adult Education, the largest adult education program in Maine, which serves about 2,000 students annually.

PPS is committed to providing a challenging, relevant, and joyful education that empowers every learner to make a difference in the world.

The district emphasizes building strong relationships among families, educators, and the community to promote the healthy development and academic achievement of every student.

PPS intentionally engages its community and attracts, supports, and retains a strong and diverse team of educators who hold all students to high expectations in academics and social-emotional learning.

This approach ensures that all PPS students graduate prepared and empowered to pursue their personal goals.

District Strategic Priorities

• Equity: Striving to be an anti-racist, inclusive district by supporting each student to achieve their potential and rooting out systemic inequities.
• Achievement: Enhancing academic preparedness for college and career by delivering a universally accessible, rigorous, and equitable curriculum.
• Whole Student: Cultivating inclusivity and connecting community through partnerships with families and organizations to nurture supportive and inclusive school communities.
• People: Focusing on recruitment, retention, and staff development to ensure instructional excellence and an inclusive work environment.
• Systems: Streamlining operations for equity and accountability through developing consistent and clear procedures and systems.

Student Body and Diversity

The district serves a diverse student body, with about one-third of students coming from homes where a language other than English is spoken, encompassing more than 50 languages.

Approximately 49% of students identify as people of color, reflecting the community's rich cultural diversity.

Schools and Historical Highlights

PPS operates several high schools, including Portland High School, founded in 1821, making it the second oldest still operating public high school in the United States.

Deering High School, another PPS institution, was recognized as one of the most beautiful high schools in the United States.

Location

Portland Public Schools is located at:

• 353 Cumberland Avenue
• Portland, ME 04101