South Portland High School

Some terrific teachers (social studies and science departments especially) and some very weak programs (math has gone dramatically down hill in recent years). All coursework is now "non-leveled," which means star students and troubled kids sit side by side. Nothing wrong with that theoretically but in practice it lops the top off of high achievers. At this point, most of the city's highest-end kids opt for private school; I know that's where I sent my youngest after a year at SPHS. Great athletics, though! It's terrific to see the girls shine and to watch the (relatively) new hockey program take off with a great coach.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a grandmother of one of the students at SPHS, she is an ho[n]or student, and has gone 2 years at this school and loves it. she has excelled in everything. She is in marching band, chorus,track,drama. She moved there from another state and it has been a wonderful experience for her. I am telling her about these reviews and having her write one about her experiences.

If I had known what I was getting into before attending South Portland High School, I would have moved to another school district. The school nearly killed my interest in education entirely. The teachers are apathetic and many seem unhappy to be teaching. Creativity and educational exploration beyond the school's curriculum are discouraged. My attempt to start a Political Awareness club was met with strong resistance by the principal. My fellow SPHS alumni and I joke that it was more like four years of prison than high school - and this is not an uncommon attitude among those that attended the school. My mother claims her biggest parenting mistake was sending her children to SPHS. I would never recommend South Portland High to any student or parent.
—Submitted by a student

As a proud Red Riot, I have to applaud the administration for making student involvement at South Portland leaps and bounds ahead of student involvement at any surrounding schools. There are two students who serve on the school board. There is a Student Judicial Court which has the power to increase or decrease or keep the same the consequences given by the administration to a student accused of wrongdoing. The student government has implemented many programs, like mentoring systems for the underclassmen, a school-wide honor code, and overhaul of the electronics policy. Kudos to the students and staff at SPHS. I'll be sad to leave!
—Submitted by a student

There are some very good teachers at SPHS but talk to parents and former students and check them out for yourself. There are some very poor teachers who don't even know the subject matter. A very few teachers will share with you if you get them out of listening range. The administration is only parent friendly on the surface but not when it comes to parent concerns about teacher behavior or remarks or performance. Some of us have been told that in their opinion when the student enters the building they have no rights and there are no parent rights. It goes on from there. The school board doesn't respond when parents contact them regarding problems. As I said there are some really good teachers who engage the students. Don't be afraid of being choosy or asking pointed questions. It's your kid and you should get the best teachers.
—Submitted by a parent