A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| Prince George's County Public Schools | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| United States | |
| Coordinates | 38°48′54″N 76°45′32″W / 38.8151140°N 76.7588578°W[2] |
| District information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Great by Choice |
| Grades | Pre-K through 12 |
| Established | 1899 |
| Superintendent | Millard House II |
| Deputy superintendent(s) |
|
| Schools | 201 |
| Budget | $2.3 billion (2022)[3] |
| NCES District ID | 2400510[4] |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | 131,146 (2022-23)[3] |
| Teachers | 9,274 (2021-22)[4] |
| Staff | 17,389 (2021-22)[4] |
| Student–teacher ratio | 13.89 (2021-22)[4] |
| Other information | |
| Website | www |
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) is a public school district that serves Prince George's County, Maryland. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the district enrolls around 133,000 students and operates over 200 schools.[5] PGCPS is the second-largest school district in Maryland,[6] the third-largest district in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area,[7][8] the 18th-largest in the United States, and the nation's largest school district with a majority-black student population.
Headquartered in Upper Marlboro,[9] PGCPS is the county's sole school district.[10] The Prince George's County Board of Education (BoE) comprises 14 members who oversee the Superintendent.[11]
The current Superintendent is Millard House II.[12]
History
 | This section appears to be slanted towards recent events. (November 2014) |
Early years of PGCPS (1899–1974)
In 1899, Laurel High was founded as the first high school in Prince George's County. Situated at Montgomery and Eighth Streets in Downtown Laurel, it began with nine teachers and 59 students, with the 1900 graduating class being all women.[13] The school's roof served as a Civil Defense Aircraft Spotting Station during World War II.[14] By 1965, the school relocated to a more expansive campus. The original building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, now functions as a community center.[15]
In 1952, the school district permitted black students to attend grades 1-12. Before this, black students in the county were limited to the 11th grade, while only white students could progress to the 12th grade.[16]
PGCPS ran three high schools exclusively for black students before desegregation: Marlboro Colored High (now Frederick Douglass High School) in Upper Marlboro, Lakeland High School in College Park and Fairmont Heights High School.[17]
Desegregation (1974–2009)
In 1974, Prince George's County became the nation's largest school district mandated to implement a busing plan to address segregation. Despite the county's over 80% white demographic at the time, specific communities near Washington, D.C. had denser black populations. Although school boundaries were based on communities, the NAACP contended they mirrored segregated housing patterns. Consequently, a federal court mandated a school busing plan. A 1974 Gallup poll indicated that 75% of the county opposed forced busing, with just 32% of black respondents in favor.[18]
The court-mandated busing commenced abruptly mid-school year, excluding final-year high school students. This swift transition disturbed regular school activities and affected family life due to altered schedules, transportation challenges, and disrupted extracurriculars.
By 2001, the court concluded that segregation had been sufficiently addressed. The busing order ended, and neighborhood-centric school boundaries were reinstated.[18]
School mergers and consolidation (2009–2019)
In 2009, the Prince George's County Public Schools Board voted to merge eight under-enrolled schools and bolster its magnet program offerings. This decision was informed by community consultations, public hearings, and over 2,500 survey responses.[19]
Key aspects of the 2009 consolidation:
- Eight schools, including Berkshire, John Carroll, and John E. Howard Elementaries, were permanently closed for the 2009-2010 academic year.
- Five schools, like Andrew Jackson Middle and Samuel P. Massie Elementary, transitioned to K-8 programs.
- Benjamin D. Foulois Elementary was converted into a K-8 Creative & Performing Arts magnet center.
- Concord, Dodge Park, District Heights, and Oakcrest elementary schools remained open despite potential closure considerations.
By 2016, additional school consolidations occurred due to changing student populations, particularly in the southern parts of the county. Conversely, northern regions, including Beltsville and Hyattsville, saw increased enrollment and overcrowding.[20]
Data Breaches and COVID-19 impact (2020-present)
Because of The COVID-19 impact, PGCPS schools went through lockdown after March 13, 2020. The 2020-2021 school year was online during the year until April 2021 with hybrid learning. The 2021-2022 was virtual for some and in-person for some. Because of COVID-19 cases increasing during Late 2021. PGCPS went through online school mode again until January 18, 2022 for in-person students and January 31, 2022 for virtual students to go to in-person school.
On August 14, 2023, PGCPS encountered a data breach which caused all students and staff to be locked out of their accounts. Students had to reset their password during the week of August 28, while staff had to reset it immediately. PGCPS were able to regain control of their systems within 12 hours, and sent a message to every student in the district about the cyber attack.[21]
Starting from the 2023-2024 school year, clear backpacks are required for high school students and Non Traditional Program North, South and Middle and optional for middle school students to combat shooting in the district.[22]
Demographics
For the 2023-2024 academic year, PGCPS boasts an enrollment of over 133,000 students. In the DC area, only neighboring Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia surpass this number.[7]
Based on September 2022 demographic data,[3] the racial and ethnic composition of PGCPS students is as follows:
| Race / Ethnicity | Enrollment (2022) | % (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 68,499 | 52.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 51,561 | 39.3% |
| White | 5,009 | 3.8% |
| Asian | 3,577 | 2.7% |
| Two or more races | 1,746 | 1.3% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 491 | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 257 | 0.2% |
| Total | 131,146 | 100.0% |
Further, 60.4% of students participate in the federal Free and Reduced Lunch program, 10.4% are enrolled in special education courses, and nearly 25% of PGCPS students are English language learners.[23]
Superintendent/CEO
In 2013, a governance reorganization led by then-County Executive Rushern Baker renamed the superintendent position to Chief Executive Officer of PGCPS. Dubbed a 'takeover' of the county's school system, this shift increased the operational control for the CEO while limiting the school board's powers.[24] Dr. Kevin Maxwell was the inaugural CEO of Prince George's County Public Schools, serving until 2018.[25][26] He was succeeded by Dr. Monica Goldson, who remained in the position through the 2022-2023 school year.[27][28]
After a rigorous 6-month nationwide search, the district shortlisted three candidates. Following an interview with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Millard House II, former Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, was chosen to succeed Dr. Goldson.[28] With House's appointment as Superintendent in June 2023, the district ceased referring to its head as CEO.
List of superintendents:
- Millard House II (2023–present)
- Monica Goldson, CEO (interim 2018–2019; 2019–2023)
- Kevin M. Maxwell, CEO (2013–2018)
- Alvin Crawley (interim 2012–2013)
- William R. Hite, Jr. (interim 2008–2009; 2009–2012)
- John E. Deasy (2006–2008)
- Howard A. Burnett (interim 2005–2006)
- André J. Hornsby (2003–2005)
- Iris T. Metts (1999–2003)
- Jerome Clark (1995–1999)
- Edward M. Felegy (1991–1995)
- John A. Murphy (1984–1991)
- Edward J. Feeney (1976–1984)
- Carl W. Hassel (1970–1976)
- William S. Schmidt (1951–1970)
- G. Gardner Shugart (1944–1951)
- Nicholas Orem Sr. (1921–1943)
- E.S. Burroughs (1915–1921)
- Frederick Sasscer Jr. (1902–1914)
Transportation
Prince George's County Public Schools operates its bus system, providing student transportation. The fleet comprises various school bus models from Blue Bird Corporation, IC Bus, and Thomas Built Buses, all running on diesel. Accessible buses are available for special-needs children. All buses bear the Prince George's County Public Schools inscription.[29]
With 12 bus lots, the transportation department dispatches over 1,900 drivers and 1,200 buses on more than 5,000 routes. Annually, at least 83,000 students utilize these services. Routes are labeled with three-digit numbers like 615 or a combination of letters and numbers such as B12.[30]
Besides daily commuting, buses also serve school field trips, athletic events, and other sanctioned activities within Maryland and the region.[31] Bus ridership is contingent on the student's distance from school, generally around two miles for intermediate/secondary schools and one and a half miles for primary institutions.[32]
Notably, the district offers students in magnet programs bus service throughout the county, with ridership not contingent on the student's proximity to school.[33]
List of schools
High schools
All high schools in Prince George's County operate with a "comprehensive" model as their base, with the exception of the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College, which is a middle college program. All students are assigned to a high school based on an attendance area.
Magnet Programs operate as a "School-Within-A-School" model, where the magnet serves as an alternative program---in addition to the main comprehensive program---and students from outside the regular attendance area of the high school are enrolled and accepted into the magnet, either through continuity (automatic continuation from a middle school magnet program to the high school level equivalent) or more commonly, through a Magnet Lottery, in which students apply for a magnet program and are granted acceptance through a random drawing.[34] Enrollment into the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts is through audition only.[35]
Several high schools have also implemented a Smaller Learning Community model, where they offer anywhere from two or more Academy Programs,[36] which effectively breaks a school down into several smaller schools within the school, by allowing students to essentially declare a major (such as a student attending a college or university) through career academies such as "Arts, Media, and Communication" or the "National Academy of Finance," for example.[37]
All high schools within PGCPS operate on a staggered school day schedule, where some high schools start as early as 7:45am and end as early as 2:25pm, and other high schools start as late as 9:30am and end as late as 4:10pm.[38] All high schools operate on an alternating A/B-day block scheduling system, where one group of classes are taken on "A-Days" and a different group of classes are taken on "B-Days," and the cycle repeats. Most high schools have between three and four lunch shifts, depending on enrollment and eating accommodations. The only exceptions are Eleanor Roosevelt High School — which has adopted a modified hybrid block schedule[39] in which both traditional single period courses and double period (block schedule) courses are integrated — and the Academy of Health Science at Prince George's Community College.
| School | Website | Location | Opening date (current facility) |
Grades | Enrollment (2014–15) |
Square footage | Attendance hours (start/end) |
Specialized programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College | Link | Largo | 2011 | 9-12 | 397 students | N/A | 9:30a – 4:40p | Current program(s): Academy of Health Sciences |
| Notes & comments: This high school is run in conjunction with the Prince George's Community College (PGCC) with classes being held on the PGCC campus, and is the State of Maryland's first middle college. The school admitted the first class of 100 freshmen in the fall of 2011. A new grade level will be added each year until a full, four-year, grades 9-12 high school is operational. There will be a total of 400 students. | ||||||||
| Bladensburg High School | Link Archived March 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine | Bladensburg | 1936 | 9–12 | 1,857 students | 304,000 | 9:30a – 4:10p | Current program(s): Biomedical Magnet Program; Career and Technical Education Magnet Program; Academy of Hospitality and Tourism; America's Choice School Design[40] Signature Program Future program(s): Academy of Health and Biosciences; Academy of Graphic Arts, Media and Communications |
| Notes & comments: Bladensburg received a state-of-the-art replacement facility in August 2004. | ||||||||
| Bowie High School (included with Bowie High School Annex) |
Link | Bowie | 1965 | 10–12 | 2,442 students | 280,306 | 7:45a – 2:25p | Current program(s): SUMMIT Scholar Signature Program Future program(s): Academy of Information Technology; Performing Arts Academy; Academy of Environmental Sciences |
| Notes & comments: Bowie High School has two physical campuses. 10th-12th grade attend classes at the main campus and 9th graders attend classes at the Belair Annex (a former middle school) a half mile away. Bowie was ranked #1,173 on Newsweek's 2010 list of Top 1500 Public High Schools in America. The SUMMIT Scholar Program at Bowie is a four-year course of study through which a select group of students (60-65 students per grade level) follow a comprehensive curriculum combining accelerated honors level and rigorous Advanced Placement course work. The program combines honors, SUMMIT, and Advanced Placement courses, yet remains an integral part of the high school community at Bowie; SUMMIT scholars do not comprise a school within a school. | ||||||||
| Bowie High School Annex (included with Bowie High School) |
Link | Bowie | 1963 | 9 | N/A | 102,351 | 7:45a – 2:25p | Current program(s): SUMMIT Scholar Signature Program Future program(s): Academy of Information Technology; Performing Arts Academy; Academy of Environmental Sciences |
| Notes & comments: Bowie High School has two physical campuses. 10th-12th grade attend classes at the main campus and 9th graders attend classes at the Belair Annex (a former middle school) a half mile away. Bowie was ranked #1,173 on Newsweek's 2010 list of Top 1500 Public High Schools in America. The SUMMIT Scholar Program at Bowie is a four-year course of study through which a select group of students (60-65 students per grade level) follows a comprehensive curriculum combining accelerated honors level and rigorous Advanced Placement course work. The program combines honors, SUMMIT, and Advanced Placement courses yet remains an integral part of the high school community at Bowie; SUMMIT scholars do not comprise a school within a school. | ||||||||
| Central High School | Link | Walker Mill | 1961 | 9–12 | 1,004 students | 168,366 | 7:45a – 2:25p | Current program(s): French Immersion Magnet Program; International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet Program; Law, Education and Public Service Academy; AVID[41] Signature Program; America's Choice School Design Signature Program Future program(s): Global Studies Academy; Academy of Graphic Arts, Media and Communications |
Notes & comments: Central was ranked #1,429 on Newsweek's Top 1500 Public High Schools in America for 2010. It is an IB World School.[42] Programs they have include Architecture and Design, Global Studies, Graphic Arts, Media and Communications
| ||||||||
| Crossland High School | Link Archived April 3, 2015, at the Wayback Machine | Camp Springs | 1963 | 9–12 | 1,081 students | 313,276 | 7:45a – 2:25p | Current program(s): Technical Academy Magnet Program; International Baccalaureate (IB) Program (non-magnet); Global Studies Academy; America's Choice School Design Signature Program; Crossland Evening High School Future program(s): Academy of Architecture and Design; Academy of Transportation Technologies; Performing Arts Academy |
| Notes & comments: Crossland was named an IB World School in 2009.[42] | ||||||||