Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) is a public

school district A school district is a special-purpose district that operates local public Primary school, primary or Secondary school, secondary schools or both in various countries. It is not to be confused with an attendance zone, which is within a school dis ...

that serves

Prince George's County, Maryland Prince George's County (often shortened to PG County or PG) is located in the U.S. state of Maryland bordering the eastern portion of Washington, D.C. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, the population was 967,201, making it ...

. During the 2023–24 academic year, the district enrolled around 133,000 students and operated over 200 schools. PGCPS is the second-largest school district in Maryland, the third-largest district in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, the 18th-largest in the United States, and the nation's largest school district with a majority-black student population. Headquartered in Upper Marlboro, PGCPS is the county's sole school district. The Prince George's County Board of Education (BoE) comprises 14 members who oversee the Superintendent. The current Superintendent is Millard House II.

History

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. The school's roof served as a

Civil Defense Civil defense or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state (generally non-combatants) from human-made and natural disasters. It uses the principles of emergency management: Risk management, prevention, mitigation, prepara ...

aircraft spotting station during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. By 1965, the school relocated to a more expansive campus. The original building, listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

in 1979, now functions as a community center. 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. 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 Fairmont Heights High School (est.1950) is an American public comprehensive secondary school located in Landover, Maryland,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 The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an American civil rights organization formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E. B. Du&nbs ...

contended they mirrored segregated housing patterns. Consequently, a federal court mandated a school busing plan. A 1974

Gallup poll Gallup, Inc. is an American multinational analytics and advisory company based in Washington, D.C. Founded by George Gallup in 1935, the company became known for its public opinion polls conducted worldwide. Gallup provides analytics and man ...

indicated that 75% of the county opposed forced busing, with just 32% of black respondents in favor. 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.

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. 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.

Data Breaches and COVID-19 impact (2020–present)

Because of The COVID-19 impact, PGCPS schools went through lockdown after March 13, 2020. The 2020–21 school year was online during the year until April 2021 with hybrid learning. The 2021–22 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 experienced 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. Starting from the 2023–24 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.

Demographics

For the 2023–24 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 The Fairfax County Public Schools system (FCPS) is a school division in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. It is a branch of the Fairfax County government, which administers public schools in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. FCPS's h ...

in Virginia surpass this number. Based on September 2022 demographic data, the racial and ethnic composition of PGCPS students is as follows: Further, 60.4% of students participate in the federal Free and Reduced Lunch program, 10.4% are enrolled in

special education Special education (also known as special-needs education, aided education, alternative provision, exceptional student education, special ed., SDC, and SPED) is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual di ...

courses, and nearly 25% of PGCPS students are

English language learners English-language learner (often abbreviated as ELL) is a term used in some English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada to describe a person who is learning the English language and has a native language that is not English. Some ...

Superintendent/CEO

In 2013, a governance reorganization led by then-County Executive

Rushern Baker Rushern Leslie Baker III (born October 24, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 7th county executive of Prince George's County, Maryland from 2010 to 2018. He previously served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegate ...

renamed the superintendent position to

chief executive officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization. CEOs find roles in variou ...

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. Dr. Kevin Maxwell was the inaugural CEO of Prince George's County Public Schools, serving until 2018. He was succeeded by Dr. Monica Goldson, who remained in the position through the 2022–23 school year. After a rigorous 6-month nationwide search, the district

shortlisted A short list or shortlist is a list of candidates for a job, prize, award, political position, etc., that has been reduced from a longer list of candidates (sometimes via intermediate lists known as "long lists"). The length of short lists varie ...

three candidates. Following an interview with County Executive

Angela Alsobrooks Angela Deneece Alsobrooks (born February 23, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2025 as the Seniority in the United States Senate, junior United States Senate, United States senator from Maryland. A member of the Democrati ...

, Millard House II, former Superintendent of the

Houston Independent School District The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is the largest Public school (government funded), public school system in Texas, and the eighth-largest in the United States. Houston ISD serves as a community school district for most of the ci ...

, was chosen to succeed Dr. Goldson. 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 John Edward Deasy (; born December 16, 1960) is an American businessman who served as a Superintendent (education), superintendent for multiple school districts from 1996 until 2020. He first served as superintendent for Coventry, Rhode Island, Co ...

(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 A school bus is any type of bus owned, leased, contracted to, or operated by a school or school district. It is regularly used to Student transport, transport students to and from school or school-related activities, but not including a charter ...

models from

Blue Bird Corporation The Blue Bird Corporation (originally known as the Blue Bird Body Company) is an American bus manufacturer headquartered in Fort Valley, Georgia. Best known for its production of school buses, the company has also manufactured a wide variety of ...

IC Bus IC Bus (originally IC Corporation) is an American Bus manufacturing, bus manufacturer. Headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, IC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Motors. Established in 2002 by Navistar through the reorganization of sub ...

, and

Thomas Built Buses Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (commonly known as Thomas) is an American bus manufacturer. Best known for its production of the first ever rear engine Type C school bus, Thomas produces other bus designs for a variety of usages. Currently, its productio ...

, all running on diesel. Accessible buses are available for special-needs children. All buses bear the ''Prince George's County Public Schools'' inscription. 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''. Besides daily commuting, buses also serve school field trips, athletic events, and other sanctioned activities within Maryland and the region. 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. Notably, the district offers students in magnet programs bus service throughout the county, with ridership not contingent on the student's proximity to school.

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 The Middle College Program is a high school alternative program first established in New York. It is a collaboration between a high school district and a community college for high school students who desire a more independent learning environment. ...

. 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. Enrollment into the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts is through

audition An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performer. It typically involves the performer displaying their talent through a previously memorized and rehearsed solo piece or by performing a work or piece gi ...

only. Several high schools have also implemented a Smaller Learning Community model, where they offer anywhere from two or more Academy Programs, which effectively breaks a school down into several smaller schools within the school, by allowing students to essentially declare a

major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

(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. 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. 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 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.

Middle schools

Intermediate schools are referred to as "

middle schools Middle school, also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school, is an educational stage between primary school and secondary school. Afghanistan In Afghanistan, middle school includes g ...

" in the PGCPS system, and operate as grades 6–8 middle schools. Grades 7–9 junior high school were phased out in the mid-1980s. Recent efforts have been made to convert most middle schools to the more popular grades 6–8 model. Issues in the past such as over-enrollment, lack of classroom space, and funding, had made it hard to convert all middle schools to a grades 6–8 configuration, but with increased funding and the addition of new middle schools, the transition is slowly being made, to be completed by the beginning of SY2024-2025. Most middle schools in Prince George's County operate with a "comprehensive" model, as their base. Most students are assigned to a middle school based on an "attendance area." Most 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 middle school are enrolled and accepted into the magnet, either through "continuity" (automatic continuation from an elementary school magnet program to the middle school level equivalent) or more commonly, through a magnet lottery, where students apply for a magnet program and are granted acceptance through a random drawing. Almost all middle schools have a whole-school "Signature Program" that includes a specialized program of instruction which is the foundation of the school's comprehensive program. All middle schools in the PGCPS operate on a staggered school day schedule, where some middle schools start as early as 7:30 am and the end as early as 2:25 pm, and other middle schools start as late as 9:00 am and end as late as 4:20 pm. All middle schools operate on a modified block scheduling system, where some classes meet for as long as 70-minutes, daily. For the 2012-13 school year and beyond, an additional 40-minutes of instruction time has been added to the school day for all middle schools and their students, within the school district. In a cooperative effort of the county government,

Board of Education A board of education, school committee or school board is the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or an equivalent institution. The elected council determines the educational policy in a small regional area, ...

, and the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) some M-NCPPC community centers are physically connected to middle schools, throughout the district. The unique community park/school centers features shared use areas which include a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, exercise/fitness room, dance room, arts and crafts room, computer lab, offices; storage areas, patio area, and restrooms. There are tennis courts and unlighted fields located on-site at select centers.

Dedicated magnet schools

Dedicated magnet schools are offered in the PGCPS system at the PreK-8th grade, elementary and middle school level only. As of 2012-13, Glenarden Woods and Heather Hills are the only full elementary-level dedicated magnet schools in the system. Dedicated magnet schools are "whole school" programs and differ from traditional comprehensive schools, as (1) all students at the school are enrolled and receive instruction in the magnet program and (2) traditional attendance areas for assigning students to a school are replaced by much larger geographical attendance zones, usually split between north county (areas north of Central Avenue) and south county (areas south of Central Avenue). Whole school, dedicated magnet programs are offered through the Creative and Performing Arts, French Immersion, Montessori, and Talented & Gifted Center magnet programs. Students receive specialized instruction that varies from the typical comprehensive program, offered at most other schools. Students are selected for the magnet programs through a magnet lottery for the French Immersion and Montessori programs and also for the Creative and Performing Arts program at the elementary school level. Acceptance into the Creative and Performing Arts program is through audition only at the middle school level. Acceptance into the TAG Centers at Glenarden Woods and Heather Hills Elementary Schools is through specialized TAG testing only.

Combined elementary and middle schools

Pre-kindergarten through grade 8 schools are essentially combined elementary and middle schools, facilitated in one building. Most of these schools are referred to as "academies" in the school district. The elementary school usually starts at pre-kindergarten and ends at grade 5 and the middle school starts at grade 6 and ends at grade 8. These schools usually offer a slightly enhanced standard of learning and studies have suggested that students have benefited from being in one continuous facility from kindergarten through 8th grade, without having the disruption having to attend a brand new school, for the middle school years. Cora L. Rice Elementary School and G. James Gholson Middle School are not true academies. Both schools are housed in one facility but they operate as two completely separate schools for all intents and purposes.

Elementary schools

Elementary schools in Prince George's County operate in several configurations, ranging from Pre-K (Head Start) through grade 6. Most elementary schools operate under a kindergarten through grade 6 configuration, and lack a pre-kindergarten/Head Start program. More recently, with boundary realignments to ease overcrowding and with the opening of newer and larger schools and increased funding, several schools have changed to a PreK-6th grade configuration while others have added a Pre-kindergarten, but dropped the sixth grade, to change to a Pre-K through grade 5 school. The sixth grades from those schools were added to the elementary schools' feeder middle schools. In a cooperative effort of the county government, board of education, and the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), several M-NCPPC community centers are physically connected to elementary schools, throughout the district. The unique community park/school centers features shared use areas which include a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, exercise/fitness room, dance room, arts and crafts room, computer lab, offices, storage areas, patio area, and restrooms. Tennis courts and unlighted fields are located on-site at select centers. Former schools: * Potomac Landing Elementary School: Merged into Colin Powell Academy in 2023.

K-12

* C. Elizabeth Rieg Regional

Accolades and achievements

''Newsweek''s America's Best High Schools

In June 2010, seven PGCPS high school were listed in ''

Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly news magazine based in New York City. Founded as a weekly print magazine in 1933, it was widely distributed during the 20th century and has had many notable editors-in-chief. It is currently co-owned by Dev P ...

''s annual list of the top 1600 high schools in the nation. This was up from five county high schools which made the list from the previous year. The 2010 list included Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt (#409),

High Point High School High Point High School (HPHS) is a public high school located in Beltsville, an unincorporated section of Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The school, serving children in grades 9 through 12, is part of the Prince George's Co ...

in Beltsville (#1,361), Central High School in Capitol Heights (#1,429), and

Parkdale High School Parkdale High School (PHS) is a public high school located in Riverdale Park, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Prince George's County Public Schools system. Enrollment was 2,800 students in grades nine through twelve as of 2024. Par ...

in Riverdale (#1,481). The schools are ranked on the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students in a school in 2009, divided by the number of graduating seniors, called the "Challenge Index". The schools represent the top six percent of all public high schools in America. In June 2009, five PGCPS high schools were named in the best high schools list. It included Bowie High School in Bowie,

Charles Herbert Flowers High School Charles Herbert Flowers High School is a comprehensive science and technology magnet school located in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, adjacent to the Springdale census-designated place and with a Springdale pos ...

in Springdale,

in Beltsville,

Oxon Hill High School Oxon Hill High School (OHHS) is a public senior high school, located in Oxon Hill, an unincorporated area in Prince George's County, Maryland, and a suburb of Washington, D.C. in the United States.Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt. Eleanor Roosevelt ranked the highest out of county schools at 372nd on the nationwide list, Oxon Hill ranked 918th, High Point ranked 961st, Bowie ranked 1,370th, and Charles Herbert Flowers ranked 1,445th.

''U.S. News & World Report''s Best High Schools

Since 2007, '' U.S. News & World Report'' has ranked high schools in PGCPS among the Best High Schools in America.

, Northwestern High School, and Eleanor Roosevelt High School have been recognized as Silver Medal Schools.

State and national Blue Ribbon Schools

PGCPS has 16 state Blue Ribbon Schools, 13 of which are USDE National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.

National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence

*Beacon Heights Elementary School, Riverdale, 2003–04 *Columbia Park Elementary School, Landover, 1987–88 *Fort Foote Elementary School, Fort Washington, 2000–01 *Glenarden Woods Elementary School, Glenarden, 2005–06 *Greenbelt Center Elementary School, Greenbelt, 1991–92 *Heather Hills Elementary School, Bowie, 1989–90 *Templeton Elementary School, Riverdale, 1998–99 *Whitehall Elementary School, Bowie, 2011–12 *Kenmoor Middle School, Landover, 1988–89 *Dora Kennedy French Immersion, Greenbelt, 2013–14 *Kettering Middle School, Upper Marlboro, 1992–93 *Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Beltsville, 1992–93 *Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt, 1990–91 & 1997–98 *Suitland High School, Forestville, 1988–89

Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

*Beacon Heights Elementary School, Riverdale, 2003–04 *Bond Mill Elementary School, Laurel (year N/A) *Columbia Park Elementary School, Landover, 1987–88 *Fort Foote Elementary School, Fort Washington, 2000–01 *Glenarden Woods Elementary School, Glenarden, 2005–06 *Greenbelt Center Elementary School, Greenbelt, 1991–92 *Heather Hills Elementary School, Bowie, 1989–90 & 2006–07 *Rockledge Elementary School, Bowie, 1997–98 *Whitehall Elementary School, Bowie, 2011–12 *Templeton Elementary School, Riverdale, 1998–99 *Kenmoor Middle School, Landover, 1988–89 *Dora Kennedy French Immersion, Greenbelt, 2013–14 *Kettering Middle School, Upper Marlboro, 1992–93 *Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Beltsville, 1992–93 *Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt, 1990–91 & 1997–98 *Suitland High School, Forestville, 1988–89

Magnet programs and centers

Magnet program In education in the United States, the U.S. education system, magnet schools are State school, public schools with Specialized school, specialized Course (education), courses or Curriculum, curricula. Normally, a student will attend an elementary ...

s were first implemented in PGCPS in 1985, to fulfill a court-ordered

desegregation Racial integration, or simply integration, includes desegregation (the process of ending systematic racial segregation), leveling barriers to association, creating equal opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws ...

mandate. Up until as late as the late 80s, Prince George's County had been predominantly

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

in terms of racial

demographics Demography () is the statistical study of human populations: their size, composition (e.g., ethnic group, age), and how they change through the interplay of fertility (births), mortality (deaths), and migration. Demographic analysis examin ...

. In order to desegregate mostly all-White schools in the school system, PGCPS created several magnet programs that eventually were instituted in over fifty schools, spread throughout the county. By the late 1990s, the population demographics of the county had shifted towards a mostly

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

majority. Magnet programs (as they were set up) were costing PGCPS approximately $14 million per year, to operate. The programs were costly and this was exacerbated by the fact that the school system's operating budget was greater than the final budget the school system had traditionally been allotted, an issue that had plagued the school system for years. Since the county's population now primarily consisted of African Americans, and due to the expense of operating the Magnet Schools Program, courts began to investigate the justification of PGCPS's magnet program. In 2004, a court ruled to discontinue court-ordered

busing Desegregation busing (also known as integrated busing, forced busing, or simply busing) was an attempt to diversify the racial make-up of schools in the United States by transporting students to more distant schools with less diverse student pop ...

which had existed in the county, for over 30 years, based primarily on the fact that desegregation was no longer an issue in the predominantly Black Prince George's County. With the ending of the court-ordered busing, also came changes to the school system's Magnet Schools Program. The program had gained national attention, as it was one of the largest in the country. It served as a model for school systems across the nation. Dr. Iris T. Metts, the

superintendent Superintendent may refer to: *Building superintendent, a manager, maintenance or repair person, custodian or janitor, especially in the United States; sometimes shortened to "super" *Prison warden or superintendent, a prison administrator *Soprin ...

of schools at the time, formulated an ambitious plan to actually expand the magnet programs in PGCPS, as well as reassign magnet programs that weren't performing well at one location, to other schools. Due to long and highly publicized in-house issues between Metts and the board of education, Metts was replaced by Dr. Andre Hornsby at the end of her contract with PGCPS. When Hornsby arrived, he essentially reversed the decision that Metts had made, in regards to the future of the county's magnet programs, and he decided to instead eliminate most of the school system's magnet programs, most of which had been identified as under-performing for several years. Ten magnet programs were identified for elimination, which proved extremely controversial because some of the proposed eliminated programs were located at sites in which the program in question had been extremely successful, such as the Academic Center magnet program at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Center, which had been the highest performing middle school in the system for several years and also was a

blue ribbon school The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States Department of Education award program that recognizes exemplary public and non-public schools on a yearly basis. Using standards of excellence evidenced by student achievement measures, ...

. Despite the opposition by parents, in 2006 the magnet programs in PGCPS underwent an overhaul, and most of the magnets were eliminated. A few programs that were determined to be "successful" were either expanded and replicated at other locations, or consolidated and relocated to a dedicated magnet school that would serve large geographic areas of the county.

Current magnet programs

ES = elementary school; MS = middle school; HS = high school *Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology Program (HS) *Biomedical (HS) *Biotechnology (HS) *Career and Technical Education (HS) *Centers for Visual and Performing Arts (HS) *Chinese Immersion (ES, MS) *Creative and Performing Arts (ES, MS) *French Immersion (ES, MS, HS) *International Baccalaureate (HS) *Montessori (ES, MS) *Science and Technology Center (HS) *Spanish Dual Language Program (ES) *Spanish Immersion (ES, MS) *Talented and Gifted Center (ES, MS)

Magnet program descriptions

Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology

The Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology program is a college and career preparatory program, offering areas of study in Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology. It is supported by partnerships with the

College Park Aviation Museum College Park Airport is a public airport located in the City of College Park, in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is the world's oldest continuously operated airport. The airport is located south of Paint Branch and Lake ...

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

, local colleges and universities, and private industry. This program is designed to prepare students for college and high-demand careers. Each student receives a laptop upon entry into the program, and is provided with transportation. Admission to the program is based on the same criteria and examination used for the Science and Technology Center. Locations: *

DuVal High School Duval High School was a government-funded co-educational bi-modal partially academically selective and comprehensive secondary day school, located in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Founded in 1974, the school enrolled approximately ...

Biomedical

The

Biomedical Biomedicine (also referred to as Western medicine, mainstream medicine or conventional medicine)

Program at Bladensburg High School is a high school curriculum that focuses on

medical Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

and health careers, such as

physicians A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, prognosis ...

and research doctors. Students who have a strong interest in pursuing a career in health-related fields have an opportunity to engage in biomedical research,

internships An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time. Once confined to medical graduates, internship is used to practice for a wide range of placements in businesses, non-profit organizations and g ...

, and

practicum Work Practicum is the American term for a work placement and is an undergraduate or graduate-level course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently stu ...

s, and to enroll in medical-related science courses and other

advanced placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...

courses. The curriculum introduces students to a wide variety of medical careers through

field trips A field trip or excursion is a journey by a group of associated peers, such as coworkers or school students, to a place away from their normal environment for the purpose of education or leisure, either within their country or abroad. When ar ...

, speakers in the medical field, internships, accelerated courses, a wide variety of electives related to the biological and social sciences, and independent research. Locations: *

Bladensburg High School Bladensburg High School is a public high school located in Bladensburg, Maryland, United States. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district. The school serves: the towns of Bla ...

Biotechnology

The

Biotechnology Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that involves the integration of natural sciences and Engineering Science, engineering sciences in order to achieve the application of organisms and parts thereof for products and services. Specialists ...

Program offers a four-year, college-preparatory program of study in

molecular biology Molecular biology is a branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecule, molecular basis of biological activity in and between Cell (biology), cells, including biomolecule, biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactio ...

biochemistry Biochemistry, or biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. A sub-discipline of both chemistry and biology, biochemistry may be divided into three fields: structural biology, enzymology, a ...

and technical career training that includes

scanning electron microscopy A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning the surface with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons interact with atoms in the sample, producing various signals that ...

. Students have first-hand experience with the advanced technologies used in biotechnology research, academia, and industry. Courses are taught in modern laboratory classrooms equipped with the latest biotechnology instrumentation. The facilities include

gel electrophoresis Gel electrophoresis is an electrophoresis method for separation and analysis of biomacromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, etc.) and their fragments, based on their size and charge through a gel. It is used in clinical chemistry to separate ...

, refrigerated centrifugation, scanning spectrophotometry,

high pressure liquid chromatography High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), formerly referred to as high-pressure liquid chromatography, is a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate, identify, and quantify specific components in mixtures. The mixtures can origina ...

gas chromatography Gas chromatography (GC) is a common type of chromatography used in analytical chemistry for Separation process, separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without Chemical decomposition, decomposition. Typical uses of GC include t ...

and access to scanning electron microscopy. Computers will support classroom instruction as well as student initiated research projects. Students study biotechnology theory and technique in a cyclic fashion where concepts introduced in beginning courses will be emphasized in depth during upper level classes. Mini-research projects are conducted by science students to demonstrate their understanding of course content and laboratory procedures. Complementing the specific science offerings of the Biotechnology Program is a full selection of courses, including Advanced Placement level in English, social studies and mathematics. Eligibility Requirements: Students who express interest are eligible to apply. No pre-testing is required. Admission to the program is through a race-neutral random magnet lottery application process, on a space-available basis. Locations: *

Fairmont Heights High School Fairmont Heights High School (est.1950) is an American public comprehensive secondary school located in Landover, Maryland,Largo High School

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program

The Technical Academy is a program that provides students with technical skills and knowledge. Benefits to students include gaining a foundation for a college major in a technical field, having access to a technical career after high school if college is postponed, and having access to a part-time technical job to help with college expenses. Locations: *

Crossland High School Crossland High School is a public secondary school located in Camp Springs census-designated place, unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, with Temple Hills postal address.Gwynn Park High School Gwynn Park High School (GPHS) is in Brandywine census-designated place, Prince George's County, Maryland,Laurel High School *

Suitland High School Suitland High School is a public school with in Prince George's County, Maryland, operated by Prince George's County Public Schools. The school serves all of Suitland,Thomas G. Pullen Creative and Performing Arts Academy * Hyattsville Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts * The Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts Academy

French Immersion

The French Immersion Magnet Program is designed for kindergarten through twelfth grade. It is referred to as a "full

immersion Immersion may refer to: The arts * "Immersion", a 2012 story by Aliette de Bodard * ''Immersion'', a French comic book series by Léo Quievreux * ''Immersion'' (album), the third album by Australian group Pendulum * ''Immersion'' (film), a 2021 ...

program" as all academic subjects are taught through

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

, in grades K-5. In grades 6-8, the students have two periods per day of French, one period for French Language Arts and one period of world studies in French. In high school, students have two courses in grades 9 and 10 with a focus on literature and the

francophone The Francophonie or Francophone world is the whole body of people and organisations around the world who use the French language regularly for private or public purposes. The term was coined by Onésime Reclus in 1880 and became important a ...

world, which are part of the Pre-International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. At the elementary level, students are immerse totally in French by their

bilingual Multilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers. When the languages are just two, it is usually called bilingualism. It is believed that multilingual speakers outnumber monolin ...

teachers, as they learn math, science, social studies and language arts. At the middle school level, students also study

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

. In addition,

Algebra Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with abstract systems, known as algebraic structures, and the manipulation of expressions within those systems. It is a generalization of arithmetic that introduces variables and algebraic ope ...

and

Geometry Geometry (; ) is a branch of mathematics concerned with properties of space such as the distance, shape, size, and relative position of figures. Geometry is, along with arithmetic, one of the oldest branches of mathematics. A mathematician w ...

are possible options in mathematics. The interdisciplinary approach for English, Art and World Studies includes special themes,

seminars A seminar is a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some part ...

, field trips, and a strong focus on essay writing. International travel is an enrichment part of the French Immersion Program. At the high school level, students may take one of the immersion courses and the continuation of the second foreign language started at the middle school level. Other options are IB preparation courses for English, history, science, and access to

Chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies the chemical elements that make up matter and chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules a ...

and

Calculus Calculus is the mathematics, mathematical study of continuous change, in the same way that geometry is the study of shape, and algebra is the study of generalizations of arithmetic operations. Originally called infinitesimal calculus or "the ...

. Higher level IB or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, are available. There is an Exchange Program with a school in France and other exchanges are being explored for high school students. In addition to the immersion continuity, students may continue the study of their second foreign language which began in middle school — either Russian, Italian, Latin, or

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

. Locations: * Maya Angelou French Immersion * Dora Kennedy French Immersion * Central High School

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Magnet Program is an academically challenging and balanced course of study, that prepares students for success in college and life beyond. The mission of the program is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better, more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The IB program offers many benefits to its participants, such as: higher university and college acceptance rates for IB graduates; increased scholarship and grant opportunities; a college-level academic program that transitions students to university and college standards; and teacher development using IB strategies. Locations: * Central High School *

Suitland High School Suitland High School is a public school with in Prince George's County, Maryland, operated by Prince George's County Public Schools. The school serves all of Suitland,Montessori The Montessori method of education is a type of educational method that involves children's natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods. A Montessori classroom places an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing ...

instructional program — the Robert Goddard Montessori School and the John Hanson Montessori School. As dedicated facilities, these schools do not have a neighborhood attendance area. Entry into the program is through the random lottery application process only. The Montessori Primary Program for children ages 3 to 6 years old is based on the Montessori educational philosophy. Taught by Montessori accredited teachers, young children are guided in developing an inner discipline, strengthening their coordination, and extending their concentration span. These accomplishments result with their readily learning to read, write and grasp mathematics. The program consists of a half-day morning for preschoolers (ages 3 ). Children older than four must be enrolled in a certified Montessori program to be accepted into the program. The Montessori Lower Elementary Program is designed for students ages 6 to 9 years old with prior Montessori experience. Rapid growth and learning is observed in classrooms filled with appropriate educational materials. The Montessori Upper Elementary Program continues for the next age grouping of students ages 9–12 with prior Montessori experience. Taught by Montessori accredited teachers, these elementary program students study an integrated curriculum that includes: mathematics, geometry, language, cultural studies,

astronomy Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and their overall evolution. Objects of interest includ ...

biology Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It is a broad natural science that encompasses a wide range of fields and unifying principles that explain the structure, function, growth, History of life, origin, evolution, and ...

, chemistry,

geography Geography (from Ancient Greek ; combining 'Earth' and 'write', literally 'Earth writing') is the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. Geography is an all-encompassing discipline that seeks an understanding o ...

history History is the systematic study of the past, focusing primarily on the Human history, human past. As an academic discipline, it analyses and interprets evidence to construct narratives about what happened and explain why it happened. Some t ...

geology Geology (). is a branch of natural science concerned with the Earth and other astronomical objects, the rocks of which they are composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Earth ...

philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...

, art,

music Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of Musical form, form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise Musical expression, expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all hum ...

and

physical education Physical education is an academic subject taught in schools worldwide, encompassing Primary education, primary, Secondary education, secondary, and sometimes tertiary education. It is often referred to as Phys. Ed. or PE, and in the United Stat ...

. The Montessori Middle School Program completes the Montessori studies for students progressing to the seventh and eighth grades. An interdisciplinary teaching team provides the Montessori Program for multidisciplinary learning to include English Language Arts, mathematics, science and social studies. At the high school level, the student can apply for entry to Biotechnology, Biomedical, Military Academy, Center for the Visual & Performing Arts and/or the Science & Technology Center. Locations: * Robert Goddard Montessori School * John Hanson Montessori School
Judith P. Hoyer Montessori School

Science and Technology Center

The Science and Technology Center (S/T) is a highly challenging four-year curriculum which provides college-level academic experiences in

science Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...

mathematics Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...

, and

technology Technology is the application of Conceptual model, conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals, especially in a reproducible way. The word ''technology'' can also mean the products resulting from such efforts, including both tangible too ...

. The program is not a true magnet program, as students are admitted into the S/T program based on competitive examination only, as opposed to the standard magnet lottery process. Of twenty-eight possible credits, a student is required to obtain a minimum of thirteen credits in specific mathematics, pre-engineering technology, research and science courses. In grades nine and ten, the program consists of common experiences courses for all student. In grades eleven and twelve, each student must choose course work from at least one of four major study areas. Students are expected to be enrolled in a full schedule of classes during the entire four-year program. External experiences are possible and encouraged, but must be a direct extension or enrichment of the Science and Technology Program, and have the recommendation of the Science and Technology Center Coordinator prior to approval by the principal. The program is offered at three centers — Eleanor Roosevelt High School in northern Prince George's County,

Oxon Hill High School Oxon Hill High School (OHHS) is a public senior high school, located in Oxon Hill, an unincorporated area in Prince George's County, Maryland, and a suburb of Washington, D.C. in the United States.Charles Herbert Flowers High School Charles Herbert Flowers High School is a comprehensive science and technology magnet school located in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, adjacent to the Springdale census-designated place and with a Springdale pos ...

in central Prince George’s County. Students attend the center that serves their legal residence. Transportation is provided for all students. Each school is a four-year comprehensive high school, as well as a Science and Technology Center. Each school is an active member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST). Admission into the Science and Technology Center is highly competitive and contingent upon three criterion, with all criterion weighed equally. The criterion are: *Grades from four quarters of 7th grade and the first quarter of 8th grade (or four quarters of 8th grade and first quarter of 9th grade) in math, science, English, and social studies *A standardized reading comprehension test *A standardized numerical test All of these are factored into a final score. The number of students admitted into the S/T program vary from each school, but as an example, 225-250 students with the top scores are admitted to Roosevelt's Science and Technology Program. The next 60 students are placed on a waiting list. All interested 8th and 9th grade students who are residents of Prince George's County are eligible to apply for admission to the Science and Technology Center.

=Locations

= *

Spanish Dual Language Program

The Spanish Dual Language Program gives equal emphasis to English and non-English language speakers. Students learn Spanish and English through content based instruction in selected core subjects with a cross cultural understanding for both native and non-native speakers. Students read, write, listen and speak in both languages, becoming bilingual, biliterate and bicultural.

=Locations

= *Cesar Chavez Elementary School

Spanish Immersion

Language Immersion is an educational approach in which students are taught the curriculum content through the medium of a second language, Spanish. Children learn their entire core subjects (reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science) in Spanish. Spanish speaking teachers immerse student completely in Spanish as they learn. In this way, immersion students not only learn the content, but also gain knowledge of the language in which it is taught.

=Locations

= *Overlook Elementary School *Phyllis E. Williams Elementary School

Talented and Gifted Center (TAG)

Talented and Gifted Center (TAG) Magnet Schools provide a full-day intensive educational program appropriate for identified talented and gifted students, in grades 2-8. Each school offers a full-day of enriched and accelerated educational experiences in the four major content areas. Special offerings include elementary foreign language programs, computer laboratories, laboratory based science program, and fine arts programs. Locations: * The Accokeek Academy *Capitol Heights Elementary School *Glenarden Woods Elementary School *Heather Hills Elementary School *Highland Park Elementary School *Longfields Elementary School *Valley View Elementary School * Greenbelt Middle School * Kenmoor Middle School * Walker Mill Middle School

References

External links

* * * * {{Authority control

Public Schools Public school may refer to: *Public school (government-funded), a no-fee school, publicly funded and operated by the government *Public school (United Kingdom), certain elite fee-charging private schools in England and Wales *Great Public Schools, ...

School districts in Maryland School districts established in 1899 1889 establishments in Maryland

History

Early years of PGCPS (1899–1974)

School mergers and consolidation (2009–2019)

Data Breaches and COVID-19 impact (2020–present)

Demographics

Superintendent/CEO

List of superintendents

Transportation

List of schools

High schools

Middle schools

Dedicated magnet schools

Combined elementary and middle schools

Elementary schools

K-12

Accolades and achievements

''Newsweek''s America's Best High Schools

''U.S. News & World Report''s Best High Schools

State and national Blue Ribbon Schools

National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence

Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

Magnet programs and centers

Current magnet programs

Magnet program descriptions

Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology

Biomedical

Biotechnology

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program

French Immersion

International Baccalaureate

Science and Technology Center

=Locations

Spanish Dual Language Program

=Locations

Spanish Immersion

=Locations

Talented and Gifted Center (TAG)

See also

References

External links