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

Mobile Menu Trigger ( don't delete )

Landing Nav

Breadcrumb

Home

Hero

Schedule for First Student Days

Start time and end time are staggered for the first two days of school so that we can provide an orientation for our incoming 9th grade class AND have class meetings with each grade level - 10, 11 and 12.

Learn more

August Letter to Families

Principal Jepson's letter contains a great deal of information for the new school year.

Read Letter

portland_high_v1mp41080p.mp4
Welcome Class of 2028!

We want to welcome students and their families to PHS and share with you some of the exciting things we will be doing to help you prepare for the next four years.

Read Welcome Letter

View Our Calendar

Our calendar contains upcoming events, holidays, and early release reminders!

Click Here

Icons Navigation

Portland High Calendar

Don’t miss upcoming events.

View Calendar

News/Announcements

PHS News

Catch up on the latest school news and events.

DEFAULT IMAGE

Update your news here

Graphic advertising for volunteers at PPS

There are many ways to volunteer in The Portland Public Schools. Volunteers are always needed for classroom assistance, after-school tutoring, and chaperoning field trips. In addition, there are a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. Check out the following examples and volunteer to make a difference in the lives of our students:

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Needs YOU – To Volunteer!
State of Maine Judicial Branch logo

Every year for nearly two decades, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court has held oral arguments in appeals of real cases in Maine high schools as a learning exercise for students. This year, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the state’s highest court will be holding oral arguments at Deering High School, with students from Deering, Portland and Casco Bay high schools invited to attend.

  • High Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about DHS To Host Maine’s High Court
2024-2025 DOE Maine Teacher Leader Fellows group photo

Joshua Chard, East End Community School teacher and 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, and Melissa Frans, PPS special education multilingual coordinator, have been named as Maine Department of Education 2024/25 Teacher Leader Fellows – a cohort of six extraordinary educators from across the state. The six will share their expertise in civics, personal finance, integrated arts, and multilingual learning, including teaching multilingual learners with disabilities, with other educators across the state.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Educators DOE Teacher Leader Fellows
Crossing Guard job ad flyer Fall 2024

The Portland Public Schools needs school crossing guards. Be a local hero to help students get to and from school safely! Rewarding work with no nights, weekends or holidays. Earn $20 per hour plus bonus time! For more information, call Area Supervisor Lenore at (207) 680-0180, text “KIDSSAFE” to 22100 or visit: https://acmssafety.com/careers/

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Crossing Guards Needed!
School Flu Vaccine Clinics in October

The Portland Public Schools will again be partnering with Northern Light to offer flu vaccines in our schools for students and staff. Students and staff must enroll a week prior to the clinic. Unlike previous years, there will not be any same-day enrollments for the flu clinics.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about School Flu Vaccine Clinics in October
Announcement of ribbon-cutting celebrations for Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Portland Public Schools will hold ribbon cuttings to celebrate the completion of the renovation projects at Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools! City voters in 2017 approved a $64 million Buildings for Our Future (BFOF) bond for renovations to Lyseth, Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools. The renovations to Lyseth were finished in 2021, and a community celebration was held then.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS to Celebrate School Renovations
Flyer for All Staff Welcome Event Aug. 28, 2024

The entire PPS employee community gathered together on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in Merrill Auditorium to launch the 2024-2025 school year as one team, generating energy, inspiration, and a shared sense of belonging. The All Staff Welcome event also included a foundational overview of the district’s new strategic plan and priorities for the new school year.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS in 2024-2025: One Team, One Plan
New School Leaders Appointed

At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Board of Public Education approved the appointment of Darralynn Jones as Lyman Moore Middle School Principal and also of three assistant principals: Alberto Morales at Casco Bay High School, Kristin Rogers at Talbot Community School; and Rebecca Schouvieller at Deering High School. The Board also approved the appointment of Spencer Allen as Portland High School’s co-curricular director and was introduced to David Briley as a new teacher leader at Reiche Elementary School, a teacher-led school.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about New School Leaders Appointed
Three School Board Seats on Ballot Nov. 5

Three Portland Board of Public Education seats are up for election on Nov. 5: an at-large seat and the District 1 and District 2 seats. Only the at-large seat is contested on the ballot.

That seat is currently held by Board member Nyalat Billiew, who is not seeing re-election. Two candidates are vying for that at-large seat: Maya Lena and John Rousseau, both newcomers to Portland politics. Lena is a substitute teacher and artist in Portland and a PPS parent.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Three School Board Seats on Ballot Nov. 5
Invite to join the PrkK-8 Community Advisory Boundaries Committee

Families, students, staff and members of the community are invited to apply for the district’s newly created Community Advisory Committee on Attendance Boundaries for PreK-8 Schools.

The new committee will be evaluating whether, and how, the district should redraw the enrollment boundaries for some or all of its elementary and middle schools to achieve more equitable enrollment and demographic balance. Also, the committee will consider whether changes should be made to the district’s current middle school model to better reflect current and future enrollment and better promote equity and achievement.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Apply for the New Boundaries Committee!
Summer meals image of children eating

The Portland Public schools will be operating various summer meal sites at 11 locations across the city of Portland this summer. All children and teens 18 years and younger can receive a nutritious meal free of charge to be enjoyed on site. Most sites will begin serving on Monday, June 24.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Summer Meals Program Starts June 24!
 Vote on Boundaries Committee June 18

The Board of Public Education is expected to vote on June 18, to establish a new Community Advisory Committee on Attendance Boundaries for PreK-8 Schools. Community members will be invited to apply for the new committee, which will evaluate whether the district should redraw the enrollment boundaries for some or all of its elementary and middle schools to achieve more equitable enrollment and demographic balance. Also, the committee will consider whether changes should be made to the district’s current middle school model to better reflect current and future enrollment and better promote equity and achievement.

  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Vote on Boundaries Committee June 18
Rachsombath “Rex” Rasmey obiturary in English & Cambodian with photo

The Portland Public Schools family mourns the loss of a sixth-grade student in about a tragic incident that occurred June 16. Rachsombath “Rex” Rasmey, a beloved member of the King Middle School family, passed away in a drowning accident at the Presumpscot River. Rex’s smile, sense of humor and positive energy will be deeply missed.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Grieves Loss of King Student
Pride Portland parade invite 2024

The Pride Portland! Parade is on Saturday, June 15, starting at 1 p.m. from Monument Square in Portland. Come out and celebrate with the Portland Public Schools as our community joins the parade to march for acceptance, equality, and inclusivity.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Join PPS in Pride Parade June 15!
City Voters Approve FY25 School Budget!

Portland voters on June 11 resoundingly approved the Portland Public Schools’ $161.4 million budget for fiscal year 2025. The vote was more than 70 percent in favor of ratifying the FY25 budget.

“We are deeply grateful to Portland voters for approving our school budget for the 2024-2025 school year,” Superintendent Ryan Scallon and Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz said in a joint statement. “In the face of daunting fiscal challenges, this budget is as responsive as possible to the needs of our students, staff and families, while also keeping in mind the concerns of taxpayers. The budget is grounded in equity, centers students, supports staff, provides additional resources to schools and is aligned to our emerging strategic plan. Thank you to Portland voters for demonstrating once again at the polls the value you place on a quality public education for our City’s children.”

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about City Voters Approve FY25 School Budget!
PHS Students Study Cancer in Clams

Two Portland High School juniors, Harriet Mishkin and William Guerin, are already contributing to real-world scientific data. Under Dr. José Fernandez Robledo of Bigelow Labs, the students participated this school year in an experiment to test for the presence of transmissible neoplasia (cancer) in Mya arenaria, soft-shell clams from the Scarborough marshes. So far, they have found polluted water as a potential catalyst.

  • Portland High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PHS Students Study Cancer in Clams
CNA class image

For the first time, multilingual Portland students are able to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) through an after-school class, thanks to a partnership between Portland High School Extended Learning Opportunities, Saint Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residence, and the Boys and Girls Club.

  • Portland High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about New CNA Class Benefits Students
Graduation stock photo..students throwing caps in the air

Portland High School, one of the oldest operating public high schools in the United States, held its 203rd graduation exercises on Wednesday, June 5, at Merrill Auditorium. The late morning ceremony included remarks by Portland Superintendent Ryan Scallon and Portland High Principal Sheila Jepson, speeches and musical performances by students and the presentation of awards and diplomas.

  • Portland High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PHS Holds 203rd Commencement Ceremony
Last Day of School Reminder

The last day of school for students this year will be Friday, June 14, 2024, and the last day for teachers will be Monday, June 17, 2024. 

Those end dates reflect an extension of the school year by two days due to the inclement weather "snow days" that the Portland Public Schools called on Monday, March 25, and Thursday, April 4, following storms and power outages.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Last Day of School Reminder
retirement

More than 40 Portland Public Schools employees have retired or will soon retire this school year. The retirees were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and the district in a ceremony on Tuesday, June 4. Those recognized have served throughout the district and held a wide variety of roles in service of students and families. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Retirees Honored June 4
Social Media flyer encouraging vote on FY25 School Budget June 11

The school budget for the next school year goes to Portland city voters on Tuesday, June 11. Please make sure to make your voice heard by casting your vote. Everyone’s participation is crucial in ensuring the best for our schools and students. Every vote counts to get our budget for the 2024-2025 school year approved! Go to the City of Portland’s Elections & Voting page to learn more and find your polling place.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about School Budget Vote Is June 11!

Testimonials

What students and alumni have to say about our school.

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 High at a Glance

Facts About Our School

Learn More

938

Students Enrolled

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

Social Media Feed

21

Languages Spoken by Students

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

Social Media Feed

1/3

Immigrant Student Population

PHS is the most diverse high schools north of Boston with 1/3 of student population made up of immigrants representing 45 different countries.

Social Media Feed