Home
Deering High Calendar
Don't miss upcoming events.
News/Announcements
DHS News
Catch up on the latest news and events.
DEFAULT IMAGE
Update your news here
In Reva Eiferman's Spanish & Culture class at Deering High School, students engaged in a 'Los Festivales' project, presenting on festivals from the Spanish-speaking world and sharing corresponding foods to deepen their cultural understanding.
Be inspired by the exceptional detail and charm of Ally Brady's calf sculpture, a standout piece from Ms. Serway's Ceramics II class demonstrating awesome student creativity.
At its April 8 meeting, the Board of Public Education unanimously approved a 2025-2026 district calendar that includes Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as new district holidays. Starting in the fall, students and staff at the Portland Public Schools, Maine’s most diverse school district, can observe those major religious holidays with their families without having to miss school.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
The Portland Board of Public Education voted on April 8 to approve a $171.7 million school budget for the 2025-2026 school year to recommend to the City Council. The Board’s fiscal year 2026 budget focuses on strengthening student experiences and outcomes and is directly aligned to the new Strategic Plan. The Board’s recommended FY26 budget now goes to the City Council, which moves forward its bottom line. A final Council vote on the school budget is anticipated on May 19 and it will go to voters on June 10.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Join the Deering High School community next Monday, April 14th at 5:30 PM, for the combined National Honor Society Convocation and Junior Class Awards ceremony to celebrate student achievements and kick off the spring awards season.
Deering High School's spirit week peaked with an electrifying student vs. staff basketball game where each grade battled faculty in action-packed rounds, creating a roaring, fun-filled atmosphere that perfectly showcased school spirit and friendly competition.
This past March, Deering High School hosted a celebratory event to honor positive students and staff, recognizing nominated individuals who embody school values and highlight the significant impact of appreciation within the community.
One key event showcasing this was the volleyball game hosted by the Student Government during Learning Center.
Deering High School senior Khalid Mahamed received the 2024-2025 Principal's Award recognizing his exceptional leadership, academic excellence, positive impact as a role model, and extensive contributions to the school community.
Deering High School students are encouraged to recognize and thank their Assistant Principals for their valuable support and hard work during Assistant Principals Week (April 7th-11th).
As of April 1, the PPS Food Service team has been serving halal meals as a daily lunch option. Halal refers to foods that are permissible for Muslims to consume. Halal foods are free of ingredients like pork or alcohol, and comply with rules and standards around preparation and cleanliness. PPS halal meals are healthy, more inclusive menu items that all students can enjoy – not just students who follow a halal way of eating.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
Join the Deering FTO on April 8th at 6 PM in the Deering Library to plan a meaningful Teacher Appreciation Week and directly impact how we celebrate our teachers.
Ms. Melissa Labbe, with over 30 years of experience, including time within Deering High School and a focus on student and staff support, steps in as Interim Principal.
Three seniors – Kaia West of Portland High School, Khalid Mahamed of Deering High School and Andrew Box of Casco Bay High School – have been selected by their principals for the annual MPA Principal's Award recognizing high school seniors for achievements in academics and citizenship!
- High Schools
- Portland Public Schools
Congratulations to seven Portland Public Schools seniors for having been named 2025 National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Those students are Deering High School students Violet Blum Levine, Anja Machado, and Asa Tussing; and Portland High School students Madeline Butters, Lawrence "Calvin" Foster, Dvora Katz and Alexander Price. Less than 0.4 percent of all high school seniors nationwide receive this recognition of academic achievement and potential.
- Deering High School
- Portland High School
- Portland Public Schools
Deering High School's final quarter bursts with activity, from college acceptances and spring sports to key academic events and testing, all detailed in the latest newsletter available via email and the school website.
The Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) is inviting rising juniors and seniors from its 14 sending schools to sign up now for its new Outdoor Education & Leadership Program, which starts this fall. The program will provide hands-on learning experiences in wilderness survival, team-building, environmental stewardship, and outdoor guiding, preparing students for industry certifications and post-secondary opportunities in related fields. It also will help students learn leadership, problem-solving, and risk-management skills.
- High Schools
- Portland Public Schools
Two students in the Commercial & Advertising Art program at the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) have been recognized on the national level for their artwork by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program. Nola Delcourt, a Casco Bay High School senior, won a National Gold Medal for exceptional work in the “Editorial Cartoon” category with her work titled, “The Fast Food Underbelly.” Zsa Zsa Dolley, whose sending school is Gorham High School, was awarded a National Silver Medal for exceptional work in the “Painting” category with her work titled “The Pains of the Artist."
- High Schools
- Portland Public Schools
Ms. Sarah York received the district-wide PPS Award during a surprise presentation in her Honors Biology class, recognizing her talent for engaging students, supporting their growth, and creating a space for intellectual exploration as a vital STEM educator at Deering High School.
Ms. Heather Sayer's forensics class at Deering High School provides students with hands-on STEM experience, immersing them in criminal investigations and lab work, fostering critical thinking and a passion for science.
Join us for Sips, Sweets, and Stories, the Portland Public Schools’ Make It Happen spring fundraiser! This unforgettable cultural tasting experience will take place on April 16 at Ocean Gateway Pier from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All funds will go to support of Make It Happen, a program that provides multilingual students with a pathway to academic success and college readiness.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Students, staff, and parents/guardians are invited to participate in a life-saving blood drive on March 27th, organized by Asa Tussing, with sign-ups available via QR code.
Deering's 9th-grade assemblies celebrate student achievements, prepare them for future success, and strengthen the school community through shared experiences and dedicated staff support.
Laurie Medeiros and Shawn Kennedy, Deering High School's Co-Directors of Counseling, received the district-wide PPS Award for their exceptional support of students and staff, going beyond their roles to provide vital academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary guidance.
Deering High School invites all families to save the date for conferences on April 3rd and 4th, where they can connect with teachers, learn about student progress, and experience the school community, with interpreters available to ensure better communication.
Testimonials
What our students and alumni have to say about Deering High School.
The guidance counselor at Deering was extremely helpful in figuring out how to get applications in and where to do my SAT’s.
- Jacqui Savage
- Deering High
I felt like my education [at DHS] wasn’t just based on the four classes that I’d take every day, it was everyone in the classroom.
- Salim Salim
- Deering High
I felt surrounded by really amazing people who were giving me knowledge I wouldn’t be able to find somewhere else.
- Lauren Reid Kane
- Deering High
Deering High at a Glance
We succeed together because everyone is valued, challenged & empowered.
875
enrolled students grades 9-12
Deering is the most diverse high school north of Boston with approximately 875 enrolled students grades 9-12.
Social Media Feed
32
languages spoken by students
DHS has a culturally and linguistically diverse student body with 32 languages spoken by students.
Social Media Feed
348
number of students enrolled in AP courses
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.