Casco Bay High School
Learning Model:
EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) is an acclaimed national model for school reform that emphasizes mastery of essential skills and knowledge, student character and high-quality student work. Our curriculum is organized around learning expeditions that are long-term, in-depth studies of a single topic that explore vital guiding questions.
9th Grade Academics
Humanities 1: English and Social Studies
Math: Geometry and Probability (or, for some with an IEP, Math Foundations)
Science: Biology
Visual Arts
Language: ONE of the following--French (1-5), Spanish (1-5), Chinese (1-3), Academic Language 1, or Academic Strategies 1
Elective Intensives*: Casco Bay Quest, Winter Intensives, and Spring Intensives
CBHS students have the opportunity to "exceed" or achieve "with honors" in all classes. There's also an "exceeds reading" seminar as well as a "math exceeds" option that prepares students for pre-calculus sophomore year.
*Intensives are weeklong electives where students complete a compact learning expedition in topics ranging from Filmmaking and Philosophy to Snowshoeing and Rocketry.
Academic and Social/Emotional Support for 9th Graders
Team 9: Teams of 9th grade teachers meet twice weekly to discuss students and plan for interventions and support.
Freshman Crew: Meets every day to build community and focus on the three guiding questions: Who am I? How am I doing? What are my plans for the future?
Frost, Mud, or Sun School: Additional time for students who are close to meeting standards at trimester’s end.
Supports and Enrichment Opportunities
Special Education Supports
Academic Strategies
English Foundations
Math Foundations
Learning Center
English Language Learner Supports
Academic Language 9-12
ELL Supported Study
I Am From Many Worlds
Make It Happen Mentoring
Co-Curricular Athletics, Clubs, and Opportunities
Athletics: All sports offered by PHS and DHS as well as Ultimate Frisbee.
Clubs/Activities: Maine Youth Justice Theater, Black Student Union, Musical Theater, Mock Trial, Justice Action Initiative, Disc Golf, Women's Aligned Personal Growth, Drama, House band, Math Team, the A-Z Alliance, Improv, Dungeons & Dragons, One-Act Play Competition, Yearbook, Model UN, DIY Club, Science Bowl, Interact (Volunteer) Club, Green Team, Student Union, Civil Rights Team, Student Ambassadors, School Cabinet, Literary Magazine
Other Opportunities: Overnight transformative learning experiences: extended fieldwork opportunities for all students are designed to expand students’ sense of what is possible for themselves and their world. Grade 9 – Freshmen Quest, Grade 10 – Sophomore Solo, Grade 11 – Junior Journey and Grade 12 – Senior Quest.
Peer Tutoring, Make It Happen, Teacher Aides, Internships
More Resources
School Contact Information
Website: https://cbhs.portlandschools.org/
Principal: Derek Pierce
Director of Student Life: Scott Shibles
Guidance Counselors: Stephanie Doyle & Michael Hale
ELL: Suzanne Dodson & Mallory Haar
Grade 9 Special Education: Ian Zickler, Kevin Murray, Kelly Regan and Silas Lunetta
PPS Athletics Liaison: Scott Shibles