583 Stevens Ave #304
Portland, ME 04103

Deering has changed dramatically over the years and this is due to Portland's diversifying demographic. Teachers, admin, and staff are doing their best to accommodate the students at Deering who come from all walks of life. From implicit bias training, enrolling more students in AP classes, and having college readiness programs lead by Deering alums. I do believe that Deering needs a better support system to aid in the success of students, but I could apply this to many schools trying to cater to students of the technology age. I think the students at Deering are talented and have lots of potential. I am currently a student at Yale University and Deering alum working in the Portland Public Schools district. I am excited to see the institutional and academic trajectory of Deering with its diversifying and growing population.

Both of my children went to Reiche. I don't usually post reviews online, but after seeing the horrible rating on this site, I felt compelled. The teachers are incredible: hardworking, intelligent, creative, and caring. They are so good at building community in an amazingly diverse school for Maine. The international potluck will rock your tastebuds and the talent show will have you weepy at least once. I am a teacher in one of the rich suburban schools nearby and am so glad my kids went to Reiche!

Most of the teachers are great and care about the students and there are sufficient supports for students with different learning abilities. From an administrative point of view, it seems to be controlled chaos and unchecked bullying.

We moved into the neighborhood because of its walkability and the reputation of Longfellow. We've loved walking the kids to school and the feeling in the halls of the school of acceptance and caring. The educational experience has been great, all the teachers we have had were committed and caring and taught to the kids' interests and skills. I did not feel they "teach to the test" or that they discouraged kids from thinking freely. The involvement of the parents, and an administration that works with parents to make sure their involvement helps the kids' experience, is a big plus. It's not the most diverse school in Portland, but compared to the schools in the suburbs it's like the United Nations. And it has a great deal of economic diversity. All in all, my only complaint is that the building clearly needs a renovation, given that it is 50+ years old and shows it. But I hear a renovation is in the works.

My son is a student at PHS and is receiving an excellent education. He is being challenged and has an extensive selection of STEM electives to choose from. AP classes senior year offer courses at local colleges. As a violinist, he finds the orchestra a great group with exceptional instruction. Sports are competitive with a strong emphasis on true sportsman/woman ship and teamwork. The diversity makes for a rich experience. Highly recommend.

I'm so glad my daughter went there (and she is, too). The humanities were really outstanding, STEM, at the time, not so much. She learned great study skills and great life skills which served her well at a very demanding college. The things CBHS was weak on she could easily get access to elsewhere: kids can enroll in a USM college course (free) when they're juniors and seniors, they can be on Portland HS or Deering HS sports teams, they can take AP classes at these bigger schools too.