Description

The Portland Public School system includes 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools. The school system hosts an Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Programs to support the increasing diversity of the city. This profile highlights this office as well as a school at the elementary, middle and high school levels that have been actively engaged in creating educational environments suitable for a diverse student population.

Office of Multilingual & Multicultural Programs

150 Ocean Avenue
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: 207-874-8135
Fax: 207-756-8421
Website: http://multilingual.portlandschools.org/

From Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Programs website: This office offers English as a Second Language (ESL) assistance as well as multicultural training and support for all Portland Public Schools and collaborating agencies. The office has an Intake Center that helps with the initial intake, assessment, and placement for all students who are English language learners. Additionally, they have a Parent / Community Specialist Team that runs an outreach program to keep multilingual parents informed and involved in Portland Public Schools' programs. The Parent / Community Specialist Team consists of 11 people who collectively provide translation services for approximately 16 different languages.

This office also houses the Multilingual Resource Library, which offers books, videos, and native language materials for teachers, students, and parents.

Howard C. Reiche Community School

166 Brackett St.
Portland, ME 04102
Phone: 207-874-8175
Website: reiche.portlandschools.org

From Reiche website: Reiche School is an urban, elementary school of approximately 500 children, almost half of which are from countries outside the U.S. At Reiche, learning and respect is a shared commitment.

Helen M. King Middle School

92 Deering Avenue
Portland, ME 04102
Phone: 207-874-8140
Fax: 207-874-8290
Website: http://king.portlandschools.org/index.htm

From King Middle School website: King Middle School serves the most racially, ethnically, and economically diverse neighborhoods in the state of Maine. More than 120 of King's 530 students speak 27 languages and come from 17 countries. As a part of the students’ extracurricular activities, King Middle School has an active Civil Rights Team.

Portland High School

284 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 207-874-8250
Website: portland.portlandschools.org

From Portland High School website: “Portland High School was the third public high school to be established in the United States, and today remains as the second oldest continuing high school in existence. Portland High School was a pioneer in secondary education in the nation and has long been a leader in the state of Maine.”

Currently, there are over 355 Language Minority Students at Portland High School, speaking approximately 30 different languages.

Religious accommodation has been key to Portland High School's success. For instance, spaces to pray are made available to Muslim students. Much care is taken to foster the diversity that exists within the school.

Two student organizations at the high school include the Civil Rights Team and the International Club, which hosts an annual "Cultural Heritage and Fashion Show."