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
4:1
Annual Tuition
$23,230
Niche Grade Details
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
4:1
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%
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
1/14/2016
Teachers are dedicated, kind, compassionate and caring.
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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Julie Chin
Julie Chin
KW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty/N Conway
(855) 443-8990
153 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$471,000 Price
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Rob Saulnier
Rob Saulnier
Responds QuicklyRed Post Realty
(207) 501-3613
70 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$410,000 Price
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Kelley Day
Kelley Day
Coldwell Banker Realty Portsmouth NH
(888) 417-7976
65 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$479,400 Price
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Davian Akers
Davian Akers
Keller Williams Realty
(207) 544-4158
120 Total Sales
22 Near This School
$145K - $871K Price Range
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Patricia Berry
Patricia Berry
Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group
(207) 579-8764
47 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$290K - $728K Price Range
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Paula Igoe
Paula Igoe
Arthur Thomas Properties
(207) 501-2629
88 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$228K - $475K Price Range
Map
List Price Range
$306K - $1.1M
Homes For Sale
3
Average Home Value
$514,471
Median Lot Size
8,712 Sq Ft
% Renters
29%
Average Household Income
$92,532
% of College Grads
48.3%
Median Age
45
Average House Size
1,467 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
41.6%
Homes for Sale
-
$699,999
- 3 Beds
- 3.5 Baths
- 2,543 Sq Ft
- 11 Osprey Terrace
- New 10 days ago
Perfectly positioned in one of Portland's most desirable neighborhoods, this stunning four-level condo offers the best of both worlds — city living with a peaceful, residential feel. Just minutes from the Old Port, Eastern Prom, and Portland's award-winning restaurants, you can enjoy the energy of t...
Michelle LibbyCentury 21 North East(207) 288-7523 -
$1,050,000
- 4.5 Baths
- 3,104 Sq Ft
- 207 State St
- New 11 days ago
Location! Location! Location! Just a few steps and you are in the middle of Longfellow Square and Portland's dynamic Arts District! This historic 3-unit building offers tons of possibilities to its new owner. Each unit has its own private entry. Unit one uses the front door, walking into the living ...
Edmund Gardner IIIGardner Real Estate Group(207) 492-7719 -
$895,000
- 2 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,705 Sq Ft
- 105 Chandlers Wharf
- Unit 105
- New 11 days ago
Welcome to Chandlers Wharf....a mariners dream residence! Located in the heart of Portland's exciting Old Port, this townhome condominium has everything that you have been looking for to live the most convenient city life, including two dedicated side by side parking spaces. The first level offers a...
Edmund Gardner IIIGardner Real Estate Group(207) 630-2423
Homes for Rent
-
$1,924 - $2,669 per month
- Nonesuch River Apartments
- 1 - 2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 764+ Sq Ft
- 35 Mussey Rd
- Scarborough, ME
-
-
$2,195 - $2,595 per month
- Waterside Apartments
- 1 - 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 738+ Sq Ft
- 6-12 Jacqueline Way
- Westbrook, 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
Breakwater School is a private school for students in grades Pre-K-8 located at 856 Brighton Ave in Portland, ME. Annual tuition is $23,230. The school has a total enrollment of 180 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 4:1. The average home value in this area is $514,471. Discover additional schools in the area, like Cheverus High School, Waynflete School, Greater Portland Christian School, and more. Learn more about what Portland has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Breakwater School.