School Profile
Mission
The mission of Deering High School is to graduate globally competent students who are college, career-ready and globally competent.Our students gain the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to contribute and succeed 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.
Deering is a comprehensive public high school (one of three in the Portland Public Schools System) in an urban location. There are approximately 80 teachers and professional staff. Deering is the most diverse high school north of Boston (enrollment approximately 800 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.
Student Demographics
- Total Enrollment: 753
- Class of 2021 Size: 169
- English Language Learners: 28.81%
- Economically Disadvantaged: 59.73%
- Identified with a Disability: 18.85%
Race-Ethnicity
- American Indian/ Alaskan Native 0.5%
- Asian 5.8%
- Black/African American 34.3%
- Hispanic/ Latino 10.5%
- Two or more races 5.6%
- White 43.4%
Higher Education
Members of the Class of 2022 were accepted to institutions of higher education such as: Bates College, Harvard University, Howard University, Wellesley College, Brown University, Yale University, Southern Maine Community College, George Washington University, and several schools within the University of Maine System.
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/Unit of Proficiency). 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:
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.
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. The Seal of Biliteracy was offered at Deering for the first time in 2018.
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
US & the 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, Chamber Choir, and Orchestra.
16 AP Courses
Comparative Government & Politics, U.S. History, Human Geography, Psychology
English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition
Computer Science, Calculus AB,
Calculus BC, Statistics
Biology, Chemistry
Spanish, French
Music Theory, Studio Art
2022 Grade Scale
2022 Advanced Placement Scores
Students sat for 175 AP exams. 57.71% of Deering’s AP exams were scored with a three or higher.
Postsecondary Plans Class of 2022
- 4-Year Institutions 57.33%
- 2-Year Institutions 20.66%
- Work 16.66%
- Military .66%
- Other/Unknown 3.33%
- Prep School 1.33%
Class of 2022 Average SAT Score Data
| SAT 1 | EWR | Math | Total |
| Deering | 443 | 415 | 859 |
| Maine | 529 | 505 | 1034 |
| National | 529 | 521 | 1050 |