Welcome to Portland Adult Education, serving Portland Maine since 1850. PAE currently offers courses that are spread across three centers of learning in the following locations:

West School is the main center for our Academic Classes Whether it’s ESOL or Math Basics, you’ll find a course here that will help you get qualified. Also available, GED and Diploma courses in many subjects.

Our Community Life Courses take place in various Portland schools and centers throughout town. If you would like to learn a new language, join an exercise class or brush up on your art skills, we have a place for you!

The Riverton Elementary School is the hub for our Job Skill Courses. If you want to improve your skills in the workshop or in the office, we have classes from welding to accounting that will help you get there.

Portland Adult Education also offers a program assuring that homeless youth have free access to an appropriate public education. For more details visit the Street Academy

Portland Adult Education, Portland, Maine is the adult learning division of
Portland Public Schools

We offer programs that are designed to prepare Portland and the Greater Portland area residents for a better, more fulfilling life. Portland Adult Education, PAE, is a wide-ranging community program that brings people and resources together for academic courses, for job skills or personal enrichment, for special needs, or just for fun. Classes are held throughout the city at different times. You have choices and opportunities at your Portland Adult Education Program.

Centers for Life-long Learning

Portland Adult Education is the Adult Learning Division of Portland, Maine, Public Schools,
196 Allen Avenue, Portland, ME 04103

James Morse, Ed.D., Superintendent

Portland School Committee

Where to find us . . .

We have two main locations: Riverton Elementary and West School.For further details, including directions visit the Contact Us page.

How to get a catalog . . .

You can get our catalog with full listings of more than a two hundred courses by using our E-mail address, by visiting one of our offices, or by writing us at the Forest Avenue or Douglass Street address. Alternatively send us your details via our online form here.

Please be sure to include your name and address in your request. Catalogs are automatically sent to all Portland mail addresses and subscribers to our mailing list at the beginning of each session. Catalog listings are available here on this website on line.

Our Learning Centers . . .

Our learning centers include PAE-Riverton Elementary School, Forest Avenue), PAE-Douglass Street (West School), Deering High School, Hall School, Reiche School, Lincoln Middle School, Lyman Moore School, Lyseth Elementary School, Portland High School, Presumpscot School, and Portland Arts and Technology (PATHS).

Classes are also held at various community centers, public agencies, and private businesses throughout the city. Call PAE for details.

We can also set up training programs at your requested locations. Call PAE for details.

Office Staff - Contact emails and primary locations

Teaching Staff

Our teaching staff are now listed with the courses they teach. To find out who is teaching a particular course, please see the appropriate course listing.

You can reach any teacher via E-mail. Send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Please put the name of the teacher in the subject line or on the first line of the message so it can be directed to the appropriate person.