Since its founding in 2005, Casco Bay High School has been preparing students for college through Expeditionary Learning—a deep dive into learning about a topic through the process of fieldwork, research and service.
Topics of study generally involve real world events and problems; for example, recent programs have tackled flu epidemics and the BP Oil Spill. The projects culminate at the end of the school year in a final project or performance. Students can supplement their studies with project intensives twice per school year, studying a topic for one week. Choices intensives include snowshoeing, boat-building and personal finance.
Serving roughly 400 students, Casco Bay High School boasts an impressive college acceptance rate and is the recipient of multiple awards. In 2014, Casco Bay High School was the recipient of the $100,000 Larry O'Toole Award.
Co-curriculars offered at Casco Bay High School include theater, ultimate frisbee and Model United Nations. Sports-minded students have the option of joining existing teams at the other area high schools, Deering High and Portland High.
Students who are residents of Portland and interested in attending Casco Bay High School must enter a lottery to earn a spot; the school is typically fully enrolled with a waitlist of hopeful students.
Casco Bay High School
Public High School
|
Grade 9-12
196 Allen Ave,
Portland, ME
Portland Public Schools
School Details
Head of School
Derek Pierce
Student Teacher Ratio
14:1
Average SAT Score
1150
Average ACT Score
18
Math Proficiency
92%
Reading Proficiency
87%
Average GPA
3.44
Graduation Rate
94%
Niche Grade
B+
A
B+
B
C
C
B-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.44
Reading Proficiency
87%
Math Proficiency
92%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers
29
Full Time Teachers
26
Part Time Teachers
3
Teachers in First or Second Year
1.6%
College Prep
Average SAT
1150
Math
540
Verbal
600
Average ACT
18
Math
18
English
15
Reading
19
Science
19
Number of AP Courses
3
AP Pass Rate
71%
AP Math Enrollment
High
AP Science Enrollment
Average
Other AP Enrollment
Average
Four-Year Matriculation Rate
70%
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
GreatSchools Rating
3
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Science
31.1%
State Average
36.4%
Math
46.2%
State Average
48.7%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
136:1
Student Diversity
Male
50.3%
Female
49.7%
White
53.4%
Black
27.5%
Hispanic
7.9%
Asian or Pacific Islander
6.3%
Two or more races
5%
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of Southern Maine
97 Students
University of Maine
51 Students
Boston University
50 Students
Bowdoin College
40 Students
University of New England
34 Students
Bates College
34 Students
Southern Maine Community College
30 Students
New York University
29 Students
University of Vermont
28 Students
Husson University
28 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Psychology
34 Students
Nursing
25 Students
Political Science and Government
22 Students
Business
20 Students
Environmental Science
16 Students
Liberal Arts and Humanities
14 Students
Computer Science
13 Students
English
13 Students
Film and Video Studies
13 Students
Journalism
11 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
7/11/2024
Overall Casco Bay High School is great and is a very welcoming environment for everyone. Each teacher goes out of the their way for their students to be heard and I think that's awesome. I do think the classes could be more rigorous and allow less revisions so that there's higher stakes for good grades and high quality work.
4/8/2022
I love how they incorporate leadership within the learning and there is a sense of the teachers wanting to have you strive to do your best and to get out of your shell at certain times.
6/6/2018
My daughter is a junior and is excelling at all her classes Teachers are fantastic, great school culture and thorough college preparation.
GreatSchools Reviews
11/26/2018
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:...
5/20/2018
Ignore the negative trolling about this school. My daughter went here and was accepted to both Smith and Mt. Holyoke with major scholarship money. The school is brilliantly quirky, stops bullying immediately, and changes lives. Founding Principal Derek Pierce is an educational genius, and I'm not ex...
1/13/2017
Casco Bay changed my life. Absolutely amazing, diverse community of students who accept & welcome everybody. Teachers genuinely care about your success as a person as well as a student. Expeditionary learning style of academics help engage you in the real world and make you feel like what you're lea...
6/22/2015
This school has no rules, regulations, or college prep. They don't know where there kids are, they don't grade like a high school should,and they're allowed to have late papers. What's the point? The set up is terrible DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO GO HERE IF YOU WANT THEM TO HAVE AN EDUCATION AND G...
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Map
List Price Range
$361K - $1.1M
Homes For Sale
23
Average Home Value
$577,917
Median Lot Size
10,018 Sq Ft
% Renters
35%
Average Household Income
$114,390
% of College Grads
54.1%
Median Age
43
Average House Size
1,676 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
42.3%
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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.
Parks in this Area
University Park
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
Presumpscot River Preserve
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
Edward Payson Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Pine Grove Park
- Bike Trails
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Quarry Run Dog Park
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Haverty Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Soccer
- Parking Lot
Oat Nuts Park Trail
- Bike Trails
- Trails
- Hiking
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Back Cove
Sought-after Portland community with popular walking paths along the water
East Deering
City location with a suburban feel across Back Cove from downtown Portland
Riverton
Charming New England homes near forested trails and a craft brewery scene
Deering Center
Schools, parks and shops are all within this Portland neighborhood’s borders
East Bayside
Trendy neighborhood near Downtown Portland with a thriving arts and food scene
Nasons Corner
Growing neighborhood with nearby shopping and hiking close to Downtown Portland
Casco Bay High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Portland, ME and is served by the Portland Public Schools in Maine. The school has a total enrollment of 391 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. Academic records show that 92% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 87% are proficient in reading. Casco Bay High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A- and a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.44, the graduation rate is 94%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1150 and an ACT score of 18. The average home value in this area is $577,917. Discover additional schools in the area, like Portland Arts & Technology High School, Deering High School, Portland High School, and more. Learn more about what Portland has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Casco Bay High School.