Portland Public Schools operates 15 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Portland Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 7,500 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 15 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
- Harrison Lyseth Elem School — Grades PK–5 · 489 students
- Amanda C Rowe School — Grades PK–5 · 470 students
- Howard C Reiche Community Sch — Grades PK–5 · 467 students
- Gerald E Talbot Community School — Grades PK–5 · 394 students
- East End Community School — Grades PK–5 · 391 students
- Ocean Avenue — Grades K–5 · 337 students
- Presumpscot School — Grades PK–5 · 266 students
- Longfellow School-Portland — Grades PK–5 · 263 students
- Peaks Island School — Grades PK–5 · 41 students
- Cliff Island School — Grades K–5 · 3 students
- Lyman Moore Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 470 students
- King Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 434 students
- Lincoln Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 382 students
- Portland High School — Grades 9–12 · 912 students
- Deering High School — Grades 9–12 · 850 students
- Casco Bay High School — Grades 9–12 · 379 students
About Portland Public Schools
ZIP 04101 in Portland, Maine in Cumberland County falls within the boundaries of Portland Public Schools. Its 5/10 rating is roughly in line with the Maine average across the funding and enrollment measures NCES tracks. The district operates 15 schools and serves roughly 7,500 students (a mid-sized district), covering Pre-K – 12th. Check the rating breakdown and map above, and confirm your specific school assignment directly with the district — boundaries and open-enrollment rules change year to year.
Funding and Resources
Portland Public Schools reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $17,000 per year, placing it 10% above the Maine state average of approximately $15,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 15 schools, Portland Public Schools operates as a large district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 7,500 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
Portland Public Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 5/10, placing it in the average tier. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Portland Public Schools falls in the middle of the performance spectrum with an average rating. Average districts provide foundational public education with functional academic programs, though they may not match the resource breadth of higher-rated districts in the same region. Many families find that average-rated districts deliver solid day-to-day education, particularly when parents stay engaged and involved. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 04101
Children in zip code 04101 are assigned to Portland Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 04101, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Portland Public Schools at (207)874-8100 or visit www.portlandschools.org/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Maine districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Portland
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Portland Public Schools serves zip code 04101, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 04101. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Maine, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Portland Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 04101.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Portland Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 04101 data.