Children's Odyssey

Our school carries the name of Amanda C. Rowe, who served Portland Public Schools for 30 years as a health teacher and school nurse. Amanda C. Rowe Elementary serves about 468 students from pre-K through 5th grade on Orono Road, and our families speak 19 languages. Every student takes visual arts, performing arts and library alongside literacy, math and science. Our teacher-librarians run First Chapter Friday read-alouds, and 4th graders take field trips such as Mackworth Island. We are a Title I school, with literacy and math interventionists, English language teachers and special education staff who join parent conferences. Social-emotional learning follows the Second Step program, and our counselor and social workers lead social groups. As a PBIS school, we hand out Mile Tiles for meeting expectations, and each filled board earns a schoolwide celebration. Portland Recreation runs a Before and After the Bell program in our building for kindergarten through 5th grade, with homework help, games, crafts and snacks. Our PTO organizes events such as the Walk-a-thon, RoweFest, community dinners and student clubs.

Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, located in Portland, Maine, stands as the state's only public charter high school dedicated exclusively to STEM education for students in grades 9 through 12. The school's core mission is to foster student ownership of learning through a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. At Baxter Academy, students engage with complex, real-world problems, collaborating with professionals from diverse fields such as engineering, the arts, and architecture. This hands-on approach not only cultivates critical thinking and creativity but also allows students to earn transferable college credits at no cost, enhancing their educational journey. The educational philosophy at Baxter Academy encourages students to select projects that ignite their passions, enabling them to innovate and persevere through challenges. This environment nurtures curiosity and creativity, equipping students with essential skills that are highly sought after in the workforce. The school's commitment to developing these competencies has garnered recognition from industry leaders, highlighting the relevance of its curriculum in preparing students for future success. What sets Baxter Academy apart is its low student-teacher ratio, which fosters personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school also emphasizes strong partnerships with families, ensuring that parents are integral to the educational experience. Unique community events further enrich the school culture, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Deering High School is one of three public high schools in Portland, Maine, with nearly 900 students in grades 9 to 12 and about 100 teachers and professional staff. Our student body is among the most diverse in the state, and every student belongs to an advisory group that meets daily and focuses on social-emotional well-being and community. Students choose their academic level in each subject and are never locked into one track. We offer 30 honors courses and 18 Advanced Placement courses, and all 10th graders take Global Issues, a course built on the Model United Nations curriculum. Students can earn college credit through a dual enrollment calculus course with the University of Southern Maine and through tuition-free courses in the University of Maine system and Maine's community colleges. Seniors can earn the Seal of Biliteracy and a STEM endorsement, and every senior completes an independent capstone project. Outside class, Deering fields more than 25 athletic teams and offers more than 40 co-curricular activities. School counselors are assigned by grade level and help with course planning, 504 and IEP scheduling needs, and college and career readiness.