For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 2,953 students in South Portland, ME (there are , serving 392 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in South Portland, ME are educated in public schools (compared to the ME state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in South Portland, ME are Dora L Small Elementary School, Frank I Brown Elementary School and Dyer Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Portland, ME public schools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Maine public school average of 81%), and reading proficiency score of 81% (versus the 84% statewide average). Schools in South Portland have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maine public schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maine public school average of 14% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in South Portland, ME (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Dora L Small Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
87 Thompson Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-7676
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-7676
Grades: K-4
| 204 students
Rank: #22.
Frank I Brown Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
37 Highland Ave
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-5196
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-5196
Grades: K-4
| 222 students
Rank: #33.
Dyer Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
52 Alfred Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-4845
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-4845
Grades: PK-4
| 212 students
Rank: #44.
James Otis Kaler Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
165 South Kelsey Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-3214
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-3214
Grades: PK-4
| 179 students
Rank: #55.
South Portland High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
637 Highland Avenue
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 767-3266
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 767-3266
Grades: 9-12
| 995 students
Rank: #66.
Waldo T Skillin Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
180 Wescott Road
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-7375
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-7375
Grades: K-4
| 311 students
Rank: #77.
Arthur R. Gould Sch--lcydc
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
675 Westbrook Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 822-2660
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 822-2660
Grades: 7-12
| 11 students
Rank: n/an/a
120 Wescott Road
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-5629
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-5629
Grades: 5-8
| 819 students
South Portland, Maine Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
240 Ocean St.
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-7386
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-7386
Grades: 5-8
| 424 students
496 Ocean Street
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-0778
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 799-0778
Grades: K-5
| 94 students
Macarthur Circle
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-3265
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-3265
Grades: K-5
| 128 students
120 Wescott Road
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-5629
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 773-5629
Grades: 6-8
| 388 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in South Portland, ME?
The top ranked public schools in South Portland, ME include Dora L Small Elementary School, Frank I Brown Elementary School and Dyer Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in South Portland?
8 public schools are located in South Portland.
What percentage of students in South Portland go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in South Portland are educated in public schools (compared to the ME state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Portland?
South Portland public schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maine public schools average of 14% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in South Portland are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in South Portland include: Dyer Elementary School vs. Dora L Small Elementary School, Frank I Brown Elementary School vs. Dora L Small Elementary School, James Otis Kaler Elementary School vs. Dora L Small Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.