PORTLAND — Portland Public Schools will hold three open houses for eighth-graders and their families to explore their options for high school.

The first open house, at Casco Bay High School, is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Open houses for Deering and Portland high schools will be held on Jan. 28 and Feb. 6, respectively, with a snow date of Feb. 11, according to a School Department news release.

In addition to the open houses, staff and students from each of the high schools will visit Portland’s three middle schools throughout December and January to discuss the schools and answer eighth-graders’ questions. Eighth-graders throughout the city will also have an opportunity to spend a school day at each of the schools between Jan. 14 and Feb. 14.

Families have until Feb. 14 to submit a letter of committment ranking their top two choices.

There no enrollment caps at Deering or Portland high schools, but ninth-grade enrollment at Casco Bay High School will be capped at 97 students for the 2014-2015 school year, according to the department. If needed, a lottery will be held by March 1.

Portland students can attend any of the three high schools, regardless of where they live within the city. Bus transportation is available for students who live more than two miles from their high school. 

Ben McCanna can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or bmccanna@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @BenMcCanna.