School Profile
Mission
The mission of Deering High School is to graduate students who are college and career-ready and globally competent. Our students gain the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to succeed and contribute in the 21st century global environment. We succeed together because everyone is valued, challenged, and empowered.
Community and School Enrollment
The city of Portland, incorporated in 1786, has a rich historical tradition and diversified economy. Portland is Maine’s largest city with 67,000 residents and is located 100 miles north of Boston on the rocky coast of Casco Bay. Portland is well known state-wide for its extensive commitment to strong public education and a vibrant arts and theater community.
Student Demographics
- Total Enrollment: 873
- Class of 2024 Size: 268
- English Language Learners: 33%
- Economically
Disadvantaged: 64.66% - Identified with a Disability: 20%
Deering is a comprehensive public high school (one of three in the Portland Public Schools System) in an urban location. with 80 teachers and professional staff. Deering is the most diverse high school north of Boston (enrollment approximately 875 students grades 9-12).
Points of Pride
- Deering provides students the opportunity to learn in a diverse environment where equity is considered, taught, practiced, and reinforced.
- All 10th graders take Global Issues, a course based on the Model United Nations curriculum.
- Students take advantage of many successful extended learning opportunities such as volunteering at local food banks, job shadows, job application and resume writing workshops, and are able to participate in interviews with local business owners.
- Every senior completes an independent capstone project.
- Deering’s Advisory Program gives every student a sub-community with a curriculum focused on developing social-emotional well-being, supporting positive behavior, advancing equity, and building community. Advisory groups meet daily.
- During remote learning (March - June, 2020), students engaged in courses remotely and received grades of Passing (P) or Insufficient Evidence (IE) for the fourth-quarter of school year 19-20.
- Deering offers 16 Advanced Placement courses.
- 8 seniors in the class of 2023 earned the new Seal of Biliteracy.
- 12 seniors in the class of 2023 earned the STEM endorsement.
- Students take part in over 25 athletic teams and over 40 co-curricular activities.
Diploma Requirements & Schedule
The following 41 credits are required: English 8, Mathematics 6, Social Studies 6, Sciences 6, Fine Arts 2, Physical Education 2, Health 1, Electives 10. Each semester course is worth two credits (1 Carnegie Unit). Deering High School operates on a four-by-four block schedule. Students may enroll in a maximum of four two-credit courses each semester and earn a maximum of sixteen credits per year within the regular curriculum.
Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, Deering adopted a grade scale with eight cut points aligned with rigorous learning standards. Portland Public Schools will not evaluate/interpret international transcripts beyond recognition of credit awarded. For a complete review of our building schedule and courses, please consult the Deering Course Selection Guide
Early College & Dual Learning
Deering offers five dual enrollment courses: Music Appreciation, Calculus A, African American History to 1865, African American History Since 1865 with the University of Southern Maine, and Quantitative Reasoning with Southern Maine Community College. Students with an 85 or better cumulative average may participate in Early Studies Programs at the University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College and St. Joseph’s College or online through the University of Maine. All students are able to take online Advanced Placement courses through Maine’s AP4ME program.
Race-Ethnicity
- American Indian/ Alaskan Native 0.5%
- Asian 6.1%
- Black/African American 39.1%
- Hispanic/ Latino 10.7%
- Two or more races 5.2%
- White 38.6%
Higher Education
Members of the Class of 2023 were accepted to institutions of higher education such as: Bowdoin College, Boston University, Clark University, Simmons University, Brown University, Colby College, Southern Maine Community College, Wheaton College, and several schools within the University of Maine System.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and another world language. Proficiency in English is typically met through the completion of high school graduation requirements. Proficiency in another language is demonstrated by scoring at an Intermediate Level 1 or higher in all domains on the ACTFL standards. For Arabic and Chinese, a score of Novice Level 4 or higher is required.
STEM Endorsement
The STEM endorsement honors students who have deeply explored the field during their high school years. This endorsement is awarded when a student has earned 20 credits in STEM courses including Pre-Calculus and a college or Advanced Placement course. Students must also complete 50 hours of work in at least two of the following three categories: Extended Learning Opportunities (minimum 30 hours), Internship(s) (minimum 10 hours), Senior Capstone Project (minimum 20 hours).
Honors & Advanced Placement Courses
30 Honors Courses
English 1-4, Pre-AP English
U.S. & Modern World History
Pre-AP French, Pre-AP Spanish
Algebra II, Geometry, Accelerated Math I and II, Pre-Calculus
Environmental Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology
Studio Art, Orchestra
16 AP Courses
U.S. Government, Comparative Government & Politics, Human Geography, United States History
English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition
Computer Science, Calculus BC, Statistics
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology
Spanish, French
Studio Art
2023 Grade Scale
2023 Advanced Placement Scores
Students sat for 184 AP exams.
47.28% of Deering’s AP exams were scored with a three or higher.
Postsecondary Plans Class of 2023
- 4-Year Institutions 40.68%
- 2-Year Institutions 38.13%
- Work 9.32%
- Military 0%
- Other/Unknown 11.87%
- Prep School 0%
Class of 2023 Average SAT Score Data
| SAT 1 | EWR | Math | Total |
| Deering | 465 | 438 | 903 |
| Maine | 542 | 516 | 1058 |
| National | 509 | 491 | 1000 |