School Profile
School And Community
Portland is the largest city in Maine with a population of nearly 70,000. It features industrial and business interests, professional sports, an orchestra, theaters, museums, a busy port and working waterfront, an international jetport, and a lively arts district. One of three public high schools in the city, Portland High is among the oldest public high schools in the nation. Portland High School is a comprehensive four-year school located in the downtown district.
There are 952 students enrolled as of October 2022. One third of our student population is made up of immigrants representing 45 different countries and 36 languages, making Portland High School (PHS) one of the most diverse high schools north of Boston. PHS cultivates the academic, social, emotional and civic skills of every student by fostering a mindset of lifelong learning and inspiring students to become dynamic participants in our local and global community. A Freshman Academy paves the way to academic success through high school, and a robust set of extended learning opportunities and internships are available to all students.
Student Demographics
- Total Enrollment: 957
- Class of 2023 size: 280
- Multilingual Learners: 30.3%
- Qualify for free/reduced lunch: 41%
Race-Ethnicity
- 13% - Hispanic/Latino
- 6% - Asian
- 21.5% - Black/African American
- 52.9% - White
- 7.33% - American Indian/Alaskan Native/Bi-racial
Student Achievement
117 Students Took 209 AP
Exams
AP Scores 2021-22
- Score 5: 16%
- Score 4: 23%
- Score 3: 24%
Awards Include:
- 16 AP Scholars
- 5 AP Scholars with Honor
- 5 AP Scholars with Distinction
Academic Program
The school offers several levels of content area courses including AP, Honors, College and Co-Taught. There is an accelerated math program, called AMP, which culminates with Calculus AB and BC. Some of our students attend the Portland Arts and Technology High School and Portland Ballet. Students are eligible to receive a STEM endorsement and Seal of Biliteracy on their transcripts.
Honors & Advanced Placement
Honors courses are offered in the following disciplines: English, Math, Social Studies, French, Latin, Spanish, Computer Science, Engineering, Science, Band and Orchestra.
Advanced Placement courses are offered in the following disciplines: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Calculus AB and BC, Biology, Physics, Statistics, Art: 2D, Art: Drawing, U.S. History, and Psychology. In addition to what our school offers, students are also able to take AP online courses offered through the AP4ME program. AP courses are open enrollment, and all students are required to take the exam.
Dual Learning & Early College
Dual Enrollment options are available for some of the upper level math courses and upper level Latin classes through the following schools: St. Joseph’s College and University of Southern Maine.
Early College opportunities are available to students who wish to take college courses while in high school through the University of Maine System, Southern Maine Community College, and St. Joseph’s College.
Extended Learning Opportunities & Capstones Project
Extended Learning Opportunities, including Internships, are available to all students in grades 10-12. 9% of the Class of 2022 completed at least one internship. 10% of our current Seniors are enrolled in an internship or class mentoring experience.
Capstone Projects require students to engage in deep and meaningful research that answers an essential question developed by them. 100% of the Class of 2022 completed a Capstone Project.
Due to the Coronavirus, classes were held online for all students beginning March 13, 2020 through the end of the 19/20 school year. Fourth quarter grades in 19/20 were labeled as pass or insufficient evidence and final 19/20 numeric grades were awarded based on the higher of the average of quarters 1-3, or quarters 1-4. Grades 10, 11 and 12 continued learning remotely during the 20/21 school year using a 4X4 block schedule. Many students participated in a true hybrid learning schedule from April of 2021 to June 2021. In 21/22, we returned to our standard alternating day schedule, with the majority of our core classes meeting every other day for the full year. For 2022-23, all students are back in the building full time.
Snapshot of the Class of 2022
Class of 2022 Mean SAT Scores
| ERW | Math |
| 525 | 494 |
Grading Equivalents
A = 93-100
B = 85-92
C = 78-84
D = 70-77
F = 69 And Below
Weighted Grade Scale
Advanced Placement (Ap) = +6
Honors (Hr) = +4
Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 41 Credits distributed as follows:
| 8 English | 6 Math |
| 6 History | 6 Science |
| 2 Fine Arts | 2 Phys.Ed. |
| 1 Health | 10 Electives |
In addition, students must complete a Capstone Project and a Post Secondary Plan.
CLASS OF 2022: POST SECONDARY PLANS
| 4-year school 54.7% | 2-year school 27.4% | Employment 9% | Military .5% | Other Post Secondary 2% | Gap Year 5% | Prep School 1.2% |
CLASS OF 2022: Matriculations
|
American University |
New School |
University of Michigan University of Colorado Boulder University of Delaware University of Maine University of Massachusetts-Boston University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of Miami University of New England University of New Hampshire University of New Haven University of Oregon University of Pittsburgh University of San Francisco University of South Carolina-Columbia University of Southern Maine Univ. of the District of Columbia Community College University of Vermont University of Washington-Seattle Upper Iowa University Wentworth Institute of Technology West Liberty University Wheaton College
|