Breakwater School is a private school in the Nasons Corner neighborhood that serves prekindergarten through eighth grade in addition to a toddler program. Founded in 1956 by a local couple who wanted to give back after their son survived meningitis, the school originated as a small in-home daycare. As the need for childcare grew, the daycare gradually transformed into a nonprofit school.
Breakwater School prides itself on being a progressive, child-centric place for learning that encourages its students to think independently while also being good global citizens. The school places a heavy emphasis on the value of outdoor learning and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio. In lieu of traditional grades, the school uses a more holistic form of assessing student progress.
Outdoor learning areas include Sari’s Garden where fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown, a large outdoor natural playground, a 22-acre nature preserve in Cumberland and an outdoor stage and fire pit. The Breakwater Youth Corps offers alumni ages 14-16 an opportunity to remain connected to the school in the summer by helping to maintain and improve school property. In addition to its school, Breakwater reaches other local students in Portland through summer camps, afterschool enrichment programs and vacation camp programs.
Breakwater School
Private Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School
|
Grade Pre-K-8
856 Brighton Ave,
Portland, ME
School Details
Students
180
Head of School
David Sullivan
Student Teacher Ratio
3:1
Annual Tuition
$23,230
Niche Grade Details
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
3:1
Teachers
48
Full Time Teachers
43
Part Time Teachers
5
GreatSchools Rating Details
Student Diversity
White
91.7%
Black
5.6%
Hispanic
1.8%
Asian or Pacific Islander
<1%
Interested in learning more about homes nearby? Reach out to Roz Anton, an agent with experience near this school.
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
2/13/2018
Breakwater gave me the best hands on learning experience I could have imagined. No textbooks and we did current relevant research on different topics. I was part of their community as part of their family. Every teacher and staff made the school feel like home.
GreatSchools Reviews
12/12/2016
My 2 grandchildren have been at Breakwater since they each started school in Pre K. They are now 10 & 12 years old. Both of them get a wonderful education at Breakwater. Teachers are fantastic. The oldest loves the Arts and the youngest loves sports. Breakwater satisfies both children. What I love t...
11/23/2015
It's a respectful, stimulating, whole person environment that teaches students to imagine and synthesize, to explore and evaluate, to take responsibility while relying on others.
11/23/2015
I considered homeschooling and now am totally convinced that my daughter is getting everything I could have given her at home AND MORE at Breakwater. She has individualized attention, a supportive group of peers, 100% equal emphasis on creativity, art, music, math, science, tinkering, etc. and I ben...
11/22/2015
I come from out of town to visit my grandkids several times a year. I am always welcomed in the Breakwater Community and feel like a real part of their educational experience. The teachers are so compassionate and kind to the kids, and the kids are so well balanced in their lives. They learn about l...
Agents Specializing Near This School
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Roz Anton
Roz Anton
EXP Realty
(207) 503-3755
157 Total Sales
8 Near This School
$240K - $955K Price Range
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Nancy Carleton
Nancy Carleton
Vitalius Real Estate Group
(207) 386-3805
183 Total Sales
3 Near This School
$392K - $1.1M Price Range
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Karyn MacGrath
Karyn MacGrath
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty
(207) 386-4389
126 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$686,500 Price
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David Banks
David Banks
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX By The Bay
(207) 503-3042
1,123 Total Sales
358 Near This School
$60K - $2.5M Price Range
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Julie Cromwell
Julie Cromwell
Cromwell Coastal Properties
(207) 386-8514
133 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$335,000 Price
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Edmund Gardner III
Edmund Gardner III
Gardner Real Estate Group
(207) 387-7218
207 Total Sales
141 Near This School
$170K - $2.9M Price Range
Map
About Nasons Corner
List Price Range
$326K - $768K
Homes For Sale
3
Average Home Value
$507,136
Median Lot Size
8,712 Sq Ft
% Renters
29%
Household Income
$92,532
% of College Grads
48.3%
Median Age
45
Average House Size
1,464 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
43.1%
Homes for Sale
-
$495,000
- 3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,292 Sq Ft
- 241 Virginia St
- New 10 days ago
Discover this smart-looking hip-roof style home in Portland's desirable North Deering neighborhood. Built in 1926 on a corner lot, this property offers New England charm in a vibrant community. This inviting home will hug you as you enter its bright living room with fireplace. The dining room is ac...
Edmund Gardner IIIGardner Real Estate Group(855) 526-4083 -
$298,000
- 1 Bed
- 1 Bath
- 542 Sq Ft
- 173 Pine St
- Unit 1P
- 21 Days On Market
Live in the heart of Portland's historic and highly desirable West End! This first-floor 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo offers the perfect blend of comfort and city convenience, placing you just steps from shopping, dining, and public transit. Designed for effortless urban living, this condo boasts the...
Debrah YaleBenchmark Real Estate(207) 802-0950 -
$778,000
- 1 Bed
- 1.5 Baths
- 1,324 Sq Ft
- 11 Mellen St
- Unit 4
- New 10 days ago
This rare, stand-alone carriage house blends timeless charm with modern luxury in one of Portland's most exciting neighborhoods. Set behind a grand historic home on Mellen Street, this chic city retreat lives like a private residence with the ease of condo living.Inside, soaring ceilings, antique de...
Karen SchlegelSchlegel Realty(207) 521-9281
Homes for Rent
-
$2,250 - $2,825 per month
- Nonesuch River Apartments
- 1-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 764+ Sq Ft
- 35 Mussey Rd
- Scarborough, ME
-
-
$1,995 - $5,580 per month
- The Armature
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 404+ Sq Ft
- 52 Hanover St
- Portland, ME
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 9th to 12th
- Private
- Pre-K to 12th
- Private
- Pre-K to 12th
- Private
Parks in this Area
Capisic Pond Park
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
Fore River Sanctuary
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
Nasons Corner Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Bike Trails
- Picnic Area
Presumpscot Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Football
- Picnic Area
Forest City Trail
- Trails
- Hiking
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Deering Center
Schools, parks and shops are all within this Portland neighborhood’s borders
Libbytown
Popular neighborhood offering entertainment 3 miles from Downtown Portland
Riverton
Charming New England homes near forested trails and a craft brewery scene
Rosemont
Long-term residents choose this Portland neighborhood to put down roots
Stroudwater
A south Portland suburb with a long past that residents take pride in
Cumberland Mills
A small-town atmosphere in an up-and-coming Westbrook neighborhood