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High School Preference

The time has come for 8th grade students and families to decide which high school you'd prefer to attend in September 2025.

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PHS News

Catch up on the latest school news and events.

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Lobster buoys painted as flags display

Flags painted on lobster buoys by multicultural students to resemble the flags of their birth countries formerly were exhibited at the Portland Jetport, but now are on display at PPS – just in time for Portland’s Dec. 6 First Friday Art Walk. The brightly colored “Flags on Lobster Buoys” display in the window of the district’s Multilingual & Multicultural Center sends a message of welcome and inclusion to Portland’s diverse students and families.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about MLMC Art Display Celebrates Diversity
Fiona Hopper, Bridgid Neptune receive award from Bowdoin Professor Doris Santoro

Bowdoin College’s Education Department recently presented Fiona Hopper and Bridgid Neptune with its 2024 Education for the Common Good Award. Hopper is PPS’ Wabanaki Studies and Black History coordinator, who led the development of the district’s new Wabanaki Studies curriculum. Neptune, a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Nation and a former PPS parent, served as a key advisor in the development process. The award honors educators who have created positive change and dedicated themselves to the community.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Wabanaki Curriculum Creators Honored
Flyer for the 112th Turkey Day Football game between Portland and Deering high schools

The traditional Turkey Day football game between Portland and Deering high schools is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday. Nov. 28, at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Kickoff is at 10:00 a.m. this year for the 112th edition of the game. The Portland Public Schools looks forward to seeing the Portland community come out to celebrate this tradition and cheer on our students while enjoying the game. It’s also an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and friends, while working up an appetite for the Thanksgiving meal!

  • High Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about 112th Turkey Day Game Nov. 28!
Snow Day Plans 2024-2025

In cases of inclement weather, the Portland Public Schools will use up to three traditional "snow days." Our schools will be closed and students will not be expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. No school meals will be provided on snow days. Those days would be made up on June 16, 17, and 18th. This would mean that the last day of school for students would be Wednesday, June 18th, and the last possible day for teachers would be Friday, June 20. (June 19 – Juneteenth – is a holiday)

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Snow Day Plans 2024-2025
Newcomers, Incumbent Win Board Seats

Three Board of Public Education seats were up for election on Nov. 5: an at-large seat and the District 1 and 2 seats. Newcomers to elected office, Maya Lena and Abdulkadir Ali, who prefers to be known as Ali Ali, won the at-large and District 2 seats, respectively. Incumbent Abusana “Micky” Bondo, the current Board vice chair, was re-elected to her District 1 seat. Also, current at-large Board member Ben Grant won a City Council seat so will be resigning his Board seat by December. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Newcomers, Incumbent Win Board Seats
PSO principal cellist Brent Selby speaks to PPS orchestra students

World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium on Oct. 10 and Portland Public Schools high school orchestra students had a unique opportunity to attend as Ma rehearsed with the Portland Symphony Orchestra that day – thanks to the efforts of their enterprising music teachers.

  • High Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Students Watch Yo-Yo Ma Rehearse
Photo of Deering High School exterior

On Oct. 25, Deering High School will host Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the U.S.; Noel Nelson Messone, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to the U.S. and Martial Ndoubou, Ambassador of the Central African Republic to U.S. This event will celebrate the French language and heritage in Maine and provide a unique opportunity for students, educators, and community members to engage with high-level diplomats.

  • High Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about DHS to Host High-Level Diplomats
Ed Tech Contract Approved!

The Board of Public Education has voted to approve a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the union representing the district’s educational technicians. The new contract recognizes the important work of these valued employees and makes the Portland Public Schools more competitive with other districts.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Ed Tech Contract Approved!
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!

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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