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GreatSchools Rating

James Otis Kaler Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 238 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 3 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted March 21, 2012

Kaler School is a wonderful school to teach at! Project based learning model has been a great change for students in that learning becomes more hands on and relevant for the students. The students become problem solvers for real life, relevant problems. The students seem to feel the strong sense of community, which our mentoring breakfast has been a huge benefit for. Kaler is a great place to work and to send your student.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted January 18, 2012

I love teaching at Kaler! The Project Based Learning model is perfect for making learning relevant and interesting for students.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted January 18, 2012

Kaler Elementary School is the first elementary school in South Portland that is trying a Project Based Learning approach. This has been a wonderful way to have students lead the learning. The final products students have created really reflect the use of 21 Century Skills. Students and teachers also begin each day with breakfast mentor groups. These groups have centered students in being ready to learn and prepare teachers for the needs of their students that day. Absent & tardy numbers are beginning to be impacted in a positive way!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted August 7, 2011

Bottom of 5 public elementary schools in South Portland. Working on improving this through some experiment teaching and educational programs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 22, 2010

It's a mixed bag as to what you get at Kaler. Some teachers are fabulous and others should find a new profession.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 12, 2008

This is a wonderful school full of wonderful teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 11, 2008

Wonderful school, wonderful teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

31 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
45%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 72% in 2012.

31 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
61%
Scale: % proficient or above

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Maine used the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math and in grades 5 and 8 in writing. The NECAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Maine. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Maine's state standards

Source: Maine Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 66% in 2012.

32 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
35%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 70% in 2012.

32 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
32%
Scale: % proficient or above

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Maine used the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math and in grades 5 and 8 in writing. The NECAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Maine. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Maine's state standards

Source: Maine Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
39%

2010

 
 
52%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 68% in 2012.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
55%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 41% in 2012.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
11%
Scale: % proficient or above

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Maine used the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math and in grades 5 and 8 in writing. The NECAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Maine. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Maine's state standards

Source: Maine Department of Education

Science

The state average for Science was 63% in 2012.

33 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
26%
Scale: % proficient or above

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Maine used the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) to test students in grades 5 and 8 in science. The MEA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Maine. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Maine's state standards

Source: Maine Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 88% 94%
Asian/Pacific Islander 5% 2%
Black 4% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 1%
Hispanic 1% 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 49%N/A38%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A12
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

165 Kelsey St
South Portland, ME 04106
Phone: (207) 799-3214

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