Portland Public Schools

The Portland Public Schools district in Maine consists of 15 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools. The schools in this district exhibit a wide range of performance, with some standout schools like Longfellow School-Portland and Casco Bay High School ranking highly, while others, such as East End Community School and Amanda C Rowe School, are struggling.

The data reveals a strong correlation between the socioeconomic status of the student population, as indicated by free and reduced lunch rates, and the overall performance of the schools. Schools with higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower statewide rankings and higher chronic absenteeism rates. Additionally, the racial diversity of the schools in the district varies, with some having a majority white student population and others having a majority African American or Hispanic student population, which may present unique challenges and opportunities for the district.

The student-teacher ratios also appear to be an important factor in school performance, with the schools having the best ratios generally performing better than those with higher ratios. Overall, the analysis of the Portland Public Schools data highlights the complex landscape of the district, with both high-performing and struggling schools, and the need for the district to address the factors that contribute to these differences to improve educational outcomes for all students.