Skip To Main Content

Close trigger menu ( Don't delete )

Find It Fast

Main Navigation

Schools Nav

Mobile Utility

Mobile Translate

Header Holder

Header Right

Schools Navs

Header Utility

Translate

Search Container

Mobile Menu Trigger ( don't delete )

Landing Nav

Breadcrumb

Home

Hero

paths_v1mp41080p.mp4
Career and Technical Education School

PATHS offers hands-on, technical education to prepare students for a wide range of high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers.

Learn more

Superintendent Search

The Superintendent Search Committee is spearheading the search for a new superintendent to lead the district. Learn more about the selection process!

Learn more

Icons Navigation

PATHS Calendar

Don’t miss upcoming events.

View Calendar

News/Announcements

PATHS News

Catch up on the latest school news and events.

DEFAULT IMAGE

Update your news here

Superintendents Present FY24 Budget Proposal

The $141.3 million Portland Public Schools superintendents’ recommended school budget for the 2023-2024 school year has three key priorities: It maintains the district’s commitment to its Portland Promise goals of Achievement, Whole Student and People – all centered on the fourth goal of Equity; is responsive to the needs of all students, especially students newly learning English; and improves operational effectiveness in such areas as finance and human resources. The FY24 budget balances challenging fiscal constraints, including a significant reduction in state aid and inflation, with increased costs to support staff and students, while being cognizant of taxpayers. It would increase the school portion of the tax rate by 7 percent, adding about $15.60 per month to the tax bill of the average homeowner.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Superintendents Present FY24 Budget Proposal
Spinglass Audit Results Shared

The Spinglass Management Group has completed its audit of the Portland Public Schools’ payroll practices and issued a report. The report reflects many of the payroll problems – with systems, staffing and processing – that the district has already shared since the beginning of its payroll issues this fall. The report also details significant strides the district has made to stabilize systems, enter into an agreement to outsource payroll functions, and increase payroll staffing. Additionally, it outlines the work the district continues to do to resolve outstanding concerns.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Spinglass Audit Results Shared
PforP Helps Students Make a Difference!

Painting for a Purpose, a local nonprofit organization founded by teachers, brings creative people together to paint whimsical decorative items that they sell to raise money to fund service-learning projects led by Portland Public Schools students who want to make a difference. Students receive up to $500 to put their idea into action. So far this school year, Painting for a Purpose has funded a wide variety of PPS students' amazing service-learning projects.

For example, a King Middle School sixth-grader won a grant to help her share Ethiopian cuisine and traditions with the school community. She conducted independent research on Ethiopia and fed her classmates injera flatbread and other Ethiopian food. She had a meal catered from Asmara Restaurant, and shared a presentation that celebrated her culture and educated others on her mother’s home country. Click HERE to learn about this and the seven other projects that Painting for a Purpose helped make a reality this year.

  • Deering High School
  • King Middle School
  • PATHS
  • Portland High School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PforP Helps Students Make a Difference!
Superintendent Search Update - January 6

Alma Advisory Group, the professional search firm that the Portland Board of Public Education hired last month to aid in the search for a new superintendent, met with the Board and the Superintendent Search Committee earlier this week. Alma made a presentation as it worked with the Board and the Search Committee to define the scope of the work, the search timeline and community engagement in the search process.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Superintendent Search Committee 22-23
Read More about Superintendent Search Update - January 6
Board Appoints Interim Co-Superintendents

Following the Dec. 16 resignation of Superintendent Xavier Botana, effective this month, the Portland Board of Public Education at its Jan. 3 meeting appointed assistant superintendents Melea Nalli and Aaron Townsend to be interim co-superintendents until a new superintendent is selected by June. Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, currently co-principal at Deering High School, will take on the role of interim assistant superintendent for the transition. The team will move fully into leadership after Jan. 13.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Appoints Interim Co-Superintendents
State of Schools 2022 Presented

Portland Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz presented the 2022 State of the Schools address to the City Council and the public on Monday, Dec. 19. The City Charter requires that the Board chair deliver an annual address to the Council on the state of the public education system in Portland.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about State of Schools 2022 Presented
Board Accepts Botana’s Resignation

The Portland Board of Public Education voted on Friday, Dec.16, to accept the resignation of Superintendent Xavier Botana, effective January 31, 2023, or the starting date of an interim superintendent, whichever is first. Botana had planned to retire in June 2023, but he cited the district’s continuing payroll issues as the reason for his stepping aside now to let new leadership bring closure to the payroll challenges.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Accepts Botana’s Resignation
Board Gets New Members, Chair & Vice Chair

One new member, two returning members and five student representatives were sworn in at the Portland Board of Public Education’s Dec. 5 Inauguration ceremony. The Board also voted for Sarah Lentz to be the Board’s new chair for the coming year and for Abusana “Micky” Bondo to be vice chair.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Gets New Members, Chair & Vice Chair
Lentz, Bondo New Board Leader Nominees

Current Board Chair Emily Figdor was informally tapped last month by fellow Board members to lead the Board again for a third time in the coming year. However, Figdor has now decided not to accept the demanding role again, and instead will support at-large Board member Sarah Lentz for the position and District 1 Board member Abusana "Micky" Bondo for vice chair when the Board votes for new leadership at its Dec. 5 Inauguration ceremony.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Lentz, Bondo New Board Leader Nominees
Flu & COVID Booster Clinic Dec. 10

The City of Portland’s Public Health Division, working with Northern Light, will offer an additional flu and COVID bivalent booster vaccination clinic on Saturday, December 10, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at 39 Forest Ave. Flu and COVID vaccinations will be available to the public, insured and uninsured.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Flu & COVID Booster Clinic Dec. 10
Inclement Weather Plan 2022-2023

It’s the time of year to remind everyone about the Portland Public Schools' inclement weather policy and how such decisions get made.This year, bad weather events will be traditional “snow days.” That means our schools will be closed and students will not be expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. Educators will not be expected to work. We will make those days up at the end of the year. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Inclement Weather Plan 2022-2023
Board Chooses Chair, Vice Chair at Caucus

At its Nov. 15 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education held a caucus to take an informal vote to select new leaders for the coming year. The Board unanimously chose current Board Chair Emily Figdor to lead the Board again and chose at-large Board member Sarah Lentz to be Vice Chair. A formal vote will take place at the Board's Inauguration on Dec. 5.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Chooses Chair, Vice Chair at Caucus
PPS Educators Win FPPS Teacher Grants!

The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) has just completed its 14th annual teacher grants program cycle. Seventy-six teachers, ed techs, librarians, and others have been awarded grants totaling $59,261. These grants will benefit thousands of students – from preK through Portland Adult Education – in 15 schools across the Portland Public Schools (PPS).

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Educators Win FPPS Teacher Grants!
Vote on Board Seats, Budget Autonomy

Three seats are up for election to the Portland Board of Education on Nov. 8: two at-large seats and the District 3 seat. Only the District 3 seat is contested on the ballot. Portland voters will also vote on Question 5, which would allow the Board to set the bottom line of the school budget before sending to voters for a final say.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Vote on Board Seats, Budget Autonomy
Flu & COVID Booster Walk-in Clinic

The city of Portland’s Public Health Division, working with Northern Light, is offering a flu and COVID bivalent booster vaccination clinic on Friday, Nov. 4,  from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 39 Forest Avenue. Flu and COVID vaccinations will be available to the public, insured and uninsured, ages 12 and older.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Flu & COVID Booster Walk-in Clinic
Superintendent Search Committee Has 8th Rep - October 21

The Portland Board of Public Education on Oct. 18 approved another community representative to serve on the Superintendent Search Committee. The appointment of Lucy Shulman, a Portland resident who is an adjunct instructor at Portland Adult Education, brings the number of community representatives on the committee to eight. The Board approved the appointment of the seven other community representatives at its Oct. 11 meeting.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Superintendent Search Committee 22-23
Read More about Superintendent Search Committee Has 8th Rep - October 21
Board Approves Contract with Ed Techs

The Portland Board of Public Education voted Oct. 18 to approve a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the union representing the district’s educational technicians. The new contract recognizes the important work of these key employees and makes the Portland Public Schools more competitive with other districts. The contract runs from Sept. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2024, with wage increases retroactive to that earlier date.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Approves Contract with Ed Techs
School Board News - October 14

At its Oct. 11 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education voted unanimously to pass a high school alignment resolution, which commits the district to taking a closer look at ensuring consistent programming and opportunities for students across all three high schools. The Board also voted to appoint seven community members to the Superintendent Search Committee and agreed to consider at its Oct. 18 meeting the appointment of an eighth member representing Portland Adult Education.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Superintendent Search Committee 22-23
Read More about School Board News - October 14

Testimonials

What people have to say about PATHS.

"Within the first day in the program I knew this is exactly what I wanted to do. Every program PATHS offers is very hands-on and will teach you viable skills you won’t be able to learn in a regular school classroom."

  • Nina
  • Careers in Education
  • South Portland High School

"As an educator and parent of those who do not fit in the traditional box of education, Portland Arts Technology High School is a gift to us all.  Students can “thrive” not just “survive” in schools."

  • Terri
  • GNG High School Teacher & PATHS Parent

"From being a Freshman who didn't know what he wanted to do with his future to now being so sure that I want to be a filmmaker and going to film school. If I had never come to PATHS, I would never have that dream."

  • Daniel
  • New Media
  • Casco Bay High School

Portland Arts and Technology High School at a Glance

Facts About Our School

Learn More

100%

of students gain useful skills

CTE students are significantly more likely to develop problem-solving, project completion, research, communication, time management and critical thinking skills that are necessary for post-secondary success during high school than non-CTE students.

Social Media Feed

80%

of students meet college and career readiness goals

80% CTE students meet college and career readiness goals, versus 63% of non-CTE students

Social Media Feed

3X

more likely to be "very satisfied" with their education

CTE students and their parents are 3x more likely to report being “very satisfied” with the real-world learning component of their education than non-CTE students and parents.

Social Media Feed