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.
Mission: Portland High School, as part of the greater Portland Public School community, is responsible for ensuring a challenging, relevant, and joyful education that empowers every learner to make a difference in the world. We build relationships among families, educators and the community to promote the healthy development and academic achievement of every learner.
There are 912 students enrolled as of October 2024. Approximately 40% of our student population is made up of immigrants representing 45 different countries and 20 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: 925
- Class of 2025 size: 289
- Multilingual Learners: 43.2%
- Qualify for free/reduced lunch: 41%
Academic Program
The school offers several levels of content area courses including AP, Honors, College Prep and Co-Taught. There is an accelerated math program, called AMP, which culminates with Calculus AB and BC. Students have the option to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School. 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, Chemistry, Art: 2D, Art: Drawing, Art: 3D, U.S. History, and Psychology. AP courses are open enrollment, and students have the option to take the exam. In past years, students had the opportunity to take online AP courses offered through the AP4ME program.
Dual Learning & Early College
Dual Enrollment (DE) options are available for Statistics (University of Southern Maine) and Junior Planning (University of Maine, INT193: Career Exploration and Development). All Juniors have the option to take Junior Planning for college credit.
Early College opportunities are available to students who wish to take college courses while in high school through the University of Maine System, Maine Community College System, and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.
Extended Learning Opportunities & Capstones Project
Extended Learning Opportunities, including internships, are available to all students in grades 10-12. 18% of the Class of 2024 completed at least one internship. Nearly 15% 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. As capstones are a graduation requirement, 100% of the Class of 2023 completed a Capstone Project.
Points of Bulldog Pride
- Advisory serves many purposes and provides a space and time to learn and live the Bulldog Beliefs. Advisors communicate school-wide expectations, provide timely information to students, and engage with their advisees to allow for student voice and feedback. Advisory is a place for community building, knowing and supporting students socially and academically, and student goal setting and reflection.
- 32 seniors in the class of 2024 earned the Maine Seal of Biliteracy.
- 28 seniors in the class of 2024 earned the STEM endorsement.
- Future planning classes, called junior planning (a dual enrolled career exploration class with the University of Maine), and senior planning are offered to all students during WINN/Advisory time.
- Students take part in over 30 athletic teams and over 40 co-curricular activities.
Race-Ethnicity
- 13.11% - Hispanic/Latino
- 3.2% - Asian
- 28.68% - Black/African American
- 59.18% - White
- .4% - American Indian/Alaskan Native
- 5.3% - More than one race
Student Achievement
116 Students Took 217 AP Exams
AP Scores 2023-24
- Score 5: 20%
- Score 4: 36%
- Score 3: 24%
Awards Include:
- 19 AP Scholars
- 10 AP Scholars with Honor
- 12 AP Scholars with Distinction
Snapshot of the Class of 2024
Percent of Student in Class of 2024 vs. Weighted GPA
Class of 2023 Mean SAT Scores
| ERW | Math |
| 493 | 463 |
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 2024: POST SECONDARY PLANS
| 4-year school 46% | 2-year school 36% | Employment 12% | Other Post Secondary 2.5% | Gap Year 3.7% | Military .5% |
CLASS OF 2024: Matriculations
| Arizona State University Austin Community College Bates College Baylor University Bridgewater State University Central Maine Community College Champlain College Coastal Carolina University Colby College Columbia University Connecticut College Dartmouth College Grand Canyon University Hamilton College Harvard University Hobart & William Smith Colleges |
Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Lehigh University Longwood University Louisiana State University McGill University Middlebury College Montana State Universit Northeastern University Penn State University Princeton University Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Sarah Lawrence College Southern Maine Community College Suffolk University Syracuse University |
University of Connecticut University of Denver University of Maine University of Maine - Augusta University of Maine - Farmington University of Massachusetts - Amherst University of Michigan University of Montana - Bozeman University of New England University of New Hampshire University of Pennsylvania University of Southern Maine University of Vermont University of Wisconsin - Madison Wheaton College (MA) York County Community College |