List of Prince George's County Public Schools middle schools

This article provides details on the middle schools within the Prince George's County Public Schools system, in the State of Maryland.

Middle schools operate as either 6th–8th grade middle schools or 7th–8th grade middle schools. Some middle schools are part of combined PreK-8th grade elementary/middle schools, and are referred to as "Academies". Grades 7–9 junior high schools were completely 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 transitions is slowly being made. As of SY2008–2009, more than half of the PGCPS middle schools, have gained the sixth grade.

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 are run 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 schools comprehensive program.

All middle schools in the PGCPS operate on a staggered school day schedule, where some middle schools start as early as 7:45 am and the end as early as 2:25 pm, and other middle schools start as late as 9:30 am and end as late as 4:10 pm. All middle schools operate on a modified block scheduling system, where some classes meet for as long as 70-minutes, daily.

In a cooperative effort of the county government, Board of Education, 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 currently 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.

The Accokeek Academy

38°41′17″N 76°58′45″W / 38.688056°N 76.979168°W

The Accokeek Academy (Area 4, District 5, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a Talented and Gifted Center magnet school, located in Accokeek. The Accokeek Academy was instituted in the Fall of 2009 as part of the PGCPS school consolidation effort. Under the initiative, Eugene Burroughs Middle School and neighboring Henry G. Ferguson Elementary School, were combined to create The Accokeek Academy. The schools name was decided after input from the community that the two schools serve.

At the middle school-level, the principal is Ms. Judy Adams. The school hours are 9:30 am – 4:10 pm. There are roughly 700 students enrolled in Grades 6–8. There is currently a uniform policy in place at this school.

The Talented and Gifted Magnet Program at The Accokeek Academy, is designed to provide accelerated learning for highly gifted students. The program functions as a "school-within-a-school," where the magnet serves as a secondary program to the main comprehensive program. Admission into the TAG magnet program is through specialized TAG admissions testing, only.

In 2009, 73.6% and 52% of all students in Grades 6–8, tested proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively, based on scores from the state administered MSA's. 32% of all students are eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Approximately half of all students attend high school at Friendly High School while the other half attends Gwynn Park High School.

Beltsville Academy

39°02′19″N 76°55′07″W / 39.038678°N 76.918604°W

Beltsville Academy (Area 1; District 1, Grades PreK-8, Weblink) is a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade academy, located in Beltsville.

Beltsville Academy operated as "Beltsville Elementary School" and prior to that, as "Beltsville Academic Center" (when Beltsville housed the now eliminated Academic Center magnet program), until the 2008–09 school year, when it was converted to a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade school. The middle school comprises grades six through eight. The principal is Ms. Rashida Edwards. The school hours are 8:30 am to 3:10 pm. This school does not currently have a uniform policy.

Students from Beltsville Academy attend High Point High School.

Buck Lodge Middle School

Buck Lodge Middle School (Area 1, District 2, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a Title I comprehensive school located in Adelphi. The principal is Mr. James Richardson. The school hours are 8:30 am to 3:10 pm. The school has roughly 643 students enrolled. There is a mandatory uniform policy in effect at this school.

As of 2009, 69.1% and 56.2% of all students were proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively, as determined by the statewide MSA assessments.

Buck Lodge is zoned for the High Point High School attendance area.

Charles Carroll Middle School

38°58′03″N 76°52′53″W / 38.967542°N 76.881300°W

Charles Carroll Middle School (Area 1, District 1, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a Title I comprehensive middle school, located in New Carrollton. The school is named after Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a lawyer; delegate to the Continental Congress; and later United States Senator for Maryland.

The principal is Mr. David G. Curry, Jr. There is currently a mandatory uniform policy in effect at CCMS. There are 743 students enrolled in grades seven and eight. 81% of students are African American, 14% Hispanic, 3% are Caucasian, and 2% are identified as Asian/Pacific Islander. 58.8% of the students qualify for the government-sponsored free or reduced lunch program, in contrast to 45.3% within the district, and a 30.7% statewide average.

In 2009, 62.5% and 41.1% of all students tested proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively, based on scores from the state administered MSA's. Carroll features the school-wide America's Choice School Design Signature Program which serves as the foundation for the schools comprehensive program.

Most students from Carroll go on to attend Parkdale High School, while others attend Bladensburg High School.

Stephen Decatur Middle School

38°46′36″N 76°54′30″W / 38.776754°N 76.908283°W

Stephen Decatur Middle School (Area 4, District 4, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a Talented and Gifted Center magnet school and community center, located in Clinton. The school is named after Stephen Decatur, who was an American naval officer notable for his heroism in the First and Second Barbary Wars and in the War of 1812. He was the youngest man to reach the rank of captain in the history of the United States Navy, and the first American celebrated as a national military hero who had not played a role in the American Revolution.

The principal is Mr. Barry S. Cyrus. The school hours are 9:30 am to 4:10 pm. There are 658 students enrolled across three grade levels. There is uniform policy currently in effect at this school.

Stephen Decatur hosts as Talented and Gifted (TAG) magnet program that functions as a "school-within-a-school," where the TAG magnet program is a secondary program to the schools main comprehensive program. Students are placed into the program through either TAG testing or through continuity, where a student has previously been enrolled in a TAG magnet elementary school and they are automatically placed into a TAG magnet program at the middle school level. Dectaur also features the AVID Signature Program.

In 2009, 67.7% and 43.3% of all students tested proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively, as determined by the state administered MSA's. 38.3% of students qualify for the government-funded free or reduced lunch program.

In a cooperative effort of the county government, Board of Education, and the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Stephen Decatur has a community/recreation center, physically connected to it.

Stephen Decatur students feed into Frederick Douglass High School, Surrattsville High School, and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School.

Drew-Freeman Middle School

38°51′18″N 76°55′10″W / 38.854940°N 76.919500°W

Drew-Freeman Middle School (Area 3, District 3, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school located in Suitland. The principal is Ms.LeTrecia Gloster. The school hours are 7:45 am to 2:50 pm. There are approximate 843 students enrolled as of September 2009. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at this school.

Drew-Freeman was originally established as Francis Scott Key Junior High School. The school relocated to its current location at what used to be known as LaReine High School, an all-girls catholic school. The school had also been designated a Science, Mathematics, and Technology magnet school for a number of years prior to the relocation. LaReine High School was shuttered in 1992 and stood unoccupied until the school was reopened as a public middle school. The school was named after Dr. Charles R. Drew and Dr. Jesse L. Freeman, Jr., the latter of which was the current principal at Francis Scott Key, who died in 1994. Dr. Freeman had been instrumental in the implementation of the science, mathematics, and technology center at Francis Scott Key and several other schools throughout the county. Upon relocating to the former LaReine High School facility, the community wanted to rename Francis Scott Key after famed African-American physician and medical researcher, Dr. Charles R. Drew. Others wanted to rename the school after former principal, Dr. Jesse Freeman. A compromise was made and the facility was named Drew-Freeman Middle School, taking the last names of doctors Charles Drew and Jesse Freeman.

The science, mathematics, and technology magnet program was eliminated at Drew-Freeman and at all other locations within PGCPS, in 2006. This left Drew-Freeman as a comprehensive school with the America's Choice School Design Signature Program.

As of 2009, 56.4% and 30.1% of all students were proficient in reading and mathematics, as determined by the state administered MSA's. 62.1% of all students qualify for the government-funded free or reduced lunch program.

Drew-Freeman Middle School feeds into Forestville Military Academy, Suitland High School, and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School

39°04′46″N 76°51′14″W / 39.079379°N 76.854000°W

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School (Area 1, District 1, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive middle school located in the Prince George's County side of Laurel. The school is named after the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The principal is Ms. Brenda Chapman. The school hours are 9:00 am to 3:40 pm. There are approximately 744 students enrolled as of September 2009. This school has a mandatory uniform policy in effect.

74.5% and 55.4% of all students tested proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively, as indicated by scores on the state administered MSA's, in 2009. 53.9% of all students qualify for the government-funded free or reduced lunch program.

Eisenhower students go on to Laurel High School for their high school studies.

Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts Academy

38°49′37″N 76°53′14″W / 38.826891°N 76.887233°W

The Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts Academy (Area 4, District 4, Grades K-8, Weblink) is a dedicated Creative and Performing Arts magnet school located in Suitland. The current principal is Dr. Patricia Payne. The school is named after Benjamin Delahauf Foulois, a former United States Army Officer who learned to fly the first military planes purchased from the Wright Brothers. He became the first military aviator as an airship pilot, and achieved numerous other military aviation "firsts". He led strategic development of the Air Force in the United States.

Foulois originally opened as an elementary school which traces its routes within PGCPS by several decades, but its current status as a K–8 arts magnet school is brand new, opening its doors for the first time in August 2009.

Foulois is a dedicated K–8 magnet school which means that all students who attend the school participate in the schools magnet program. The Creative and Performing Arts magnet program is a competitive program that is open to qualified students from kindergarten through grade 8. Students are admitted into the middle school program, at the sixth grade, through a competitive audition process on a space-available basis.

Eighth graders at Benjamin D. Foulois have the option of auditioning for the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts magnet program at Suitland High School for continuing education in the arts.

G. James Gholson Middle School

38°54′11″N 76°52′31″W / 38.902932°N 76.875168°W

G. James Gholson Middle School (Area 2, District 3, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive middle school located in Landover.

The school is named after G. James Gholson, a scholar; master teacher; administrator; and an advocate for the children of Prince George's County who established an enviable record of distinguished service. Mr. Gholson served as Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, where he was the master architect of the system-wide desegregation plan, and played a key role in the implementation process. He was recognized in Newsweek Magazine for his role as the architect and engineer of the desegregation plan and co-authored an evaluation instrument for administrators in Prince George's County Public Schools, which has been replicated in the public schools in Louisville, Kentucky; New Castle and Wilmington, Delaware; Laurel, Mississippi; and Seattle, Washington.

The school is unique in that it was the first purpose-built combined elementary and middle school facility, in the Prince George's County Public Schools system. Gholson shares its facility with Cora L. Rice Elementary School. Gholson's postal address is 900 Nalley Road, while Cora L. Rice's postal address is 950 Nalley Road. The school is led by co-principals Ms. Ebony Cross and Ms. Lacey Robinson. Approximately 823 students are enrolled at the Gholson. The school hours are from 9:30 am to 4:10 pm. There is a mandatory uniform policy at Gholson Middle School.

The school is divided into five colored academic teams: Orange Team (7th grade), Green Team (7th grade), Gold Team (7th & 8th grade), Purple Team (8th grade), and the Creative Arts Team (7th & 8th grade).

As of 2009, 56.6% and 31.4% of all students were proficient in reading and mathematics, as determined by the state administered MSA's. 64.4% of all students are eligible for the federal government administered free and reduced lunch program.

Gholson feeds into several area high schools. The majority of students attend high school at Fairmont Heights High School. Other students attend Central, while the remaining students attend either Bladensburg, DuVal, or Flowers.

Dora Kennedy French Immersion School

38°59′16″N 76°50′31″W / 38.987743°N 76.842048°W

Dora Kennedy French Immersion (Area 2, District 1, Grades K-8, Weblink) is a dedicated K-8 magnet school located in the city of Greenbelt. The facility is named after the famous U.S. professor of physics and scientist, Robert H. Goddard. The school was located just a short distance from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The principal is Mr.Nasser Abi. The school hours are 9:15 am to 3:45 pm. There are approximately 594 students enrolled at the school. There is no uniform policy currently in effect.

Robert Goddard French Immersion is a relatively new school with an old background. Prior to becoming a French Immersion magnet school, Goddard operated a 7th and 8th grade comprehensive middle school. Between 2005 and 2008, the PGCPS Magnet Schools Program underwent a massive overhaul. As part of the overhaul, the French Immersion Magnet Programs at Rogers Heights Elementary School in Bladensburg and Greenbelt Middle School in Greenbelt, were relocated and consolidated into one centralized location at the under-enrolled Robert Goddard facility in Seabrook. Robert Goddard French Immersion now occupies the old Greenbelt Middle School building. The school has also been made a Maryland and National Blue Ribbon School as of 2013.

As part of the French Immersion magnet program, students are taught all subjects in French language. The teachers are native French speakers from around the world. Students also study Russian. In addition, Algebra and Geometry are possible options in mathematic. The interdisciplinary approach for English, Art, and World Studies includes special themes, seminars, field trips, and a strong focus on essay writing. International travel is an enrichment part of the French Immersion Program.

As of 2009, 90.7% of French Immersion students were reading proficient and 87.8% of French Immersion students were proficient in mathematics. 24.3% of students were eligible for the government-run free and reduced lunch program.

French Immersion students can continue their studies at the high school level, at Central High School in Capitol Heights.

Robert Goddard Montessori School

38°59′16″N 76°50′31″W / 38.987743°N 76.842048°W

Robert Goddard Montessori (Area 2, District 1, Grades PreK-8, Weblink) is a dedicated PreK-8 magnet school located in the unincorporated area of Seabrook. The facility is named after the famous U.S. professor of physics and scientist, Robert H. Goddard. The school is located just a short distance from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The principal is Ms. Carol Dimmie. As a dedicated magnet school, all students who attend the school participate in the magnet. The school hours are 9:00 am to 3:40 pm. Approximately 513 students are enrolled in the Montessori program. There is no uniform policy currently in effect.

Robert Goddard Montessori's current role as a Montessori magnet school, pre-dates its current role, back to when the school was known simply as, Robbert Goddard Middle School, with grades seven and eight. In the mid-2000s, Prince George's County Public Schools completely revamped their magnet schools programs, and as a result, the Montessori programs at Matthew Henson Elementary School (now closed) and Thomas Johnson Middle School, were consolidated into the current new location at Robert Goddard. Goddard Montessori School share's its space with the Robert Goddard French Immersion School.

The Montessori program provides an interdisciplinary, discovery-based approach to learning. The program was founded by Maria Montessori, who was an Italian physician and anthropologist, created learning activities that interrelate and build upon each other, and are presented sequentially over the years a child spends in the program. 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.

As of 2009, 89.7% of Montessori middle school seventh and eighth graders were proficient in reading. 84% of Montessori middle school seventh and eighth graders were proficient in mathematics. 20.7% of seventh and eighth graders were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Isaac J. Gourdine Middle School

38°46′11″N 76°57′05″W / 38.769669°N 76.951316°W

Isaac J. Gourdine Middle School (Area 4, District 4, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive middle school located in Fort Washington. The school was originally named Lord Baltimore Middle School, and later, Lord Baltimore Academy (reflecting the schools Traditional/Classical Academy magnet program). The school was renamed, in 2004, after Councilman Isaac J. Gourdine, who was serving his second term on the Prince George's County Council when he died in a tragic automobile accident, on February 25, 2002. He served on the Prince George's County Council from 1994 through February 2002.

The current principal is Ms. Leatriz Covington. School hours are between 7:50 am and 2:50 pm. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at this school. The September 2009 enrollment is 659 students in grades six through eight.

Isaac J. Gourdine Middle School used to house a Traditional/Classical Academy magnet program, until it was eliminated system-wide in 2005. The school is currently a comprehensive middle school with an Autism Program and a whole-school AVID Signature Program.

As of 2009, 67.8% and 43.7% of all students, were proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively. 47.6% of all students are eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Gourdine feeds into Friendly High School, Largo High School, Oxon Hill High School,and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School.

Greenbelt Middle School

38°59′50″N 76°54′09″W / 38.997199°N 76.902468°W

Greenbelt Middle School (Ares 2, District 1, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive middle school located in Greenbelt. Greenbelt is a former French Immersion magnet school. Its program was relocated to Robert Goddard French Immersion, in 2005. The current principal is Mr. George V. Covington Jr. The school hours are from 9:00 am to 3:40 pm. Greenbelt has approximately 771 students enrolled as of September 2009. This school has a mandatory uniform policy in place.

As of 2009, Greenbelt's students tested 65.8% proficient in reading and 51.2% proficient in mathematics, based on standardized statewide test scores. 63.4% of all students were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

In September 2010, PGCPS officially held a ground-breaking ceremony for a brand new, state of the art, Greenbelt Middle School. The new school will be the third LEED-certified "green building" in Prince George's County, and have a capacity of 990 students. Greenbelt Middle School is scheduled to open in Fall 2012.

Greenbelt primarily feeds into Eleanor Roosevelt High School, as well as High Point High School and Parkdale High School.

Gwynn Park Middle School

38°42′24″N 76°52′08″W / 38.706753°N 76.868790°W

Gwynn Park Middle School (Area 4, District 5, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive middle school located in Brandywine. The principal is Ms. Danielle Moore. Roughly 700 students are enrolled as of September 2012. The school hours are from 7:45 am to 2:25 pm. There is a mandatory uniform policy at this school.

Gwynn Park housed a science, mathematics, and technology magnet program, until the program was eliminated system-wide, in 2005. Gwynn Park currently features the AVID Signature Program.

As of 2012, 71% of all students were proficient in reading and 78.9% of all students were proficient in mathematics. 67.8% of all students were eligible for the government-fund free and reduced lunch program.

Gwynn Park Middle School primarily feeds into Gwynn Park High School, as well as Frederick Douglass High School and Surrattsville High School.

William W. Hall Academy

38°52′15″N 76°55′09″W / 38.870696°N 76.919135°W

William W. Hall Academy (Area 3, District 3, Grades PreK-8, Weblink) is a combined elementary and middle school, located in Capitol Heights. William Hall is a relatively new facility, and was opened as an elementary school until it was converted to a Pre-8th grade academy, in Fall 2009.

The principal is MenSa Maa. The school hours are 7:45 am to 2:25 pm. This school has a mandatory uniform policy.

Students from William W. Hall feed into Central High School and Suitland High School.

John Hanson French Immersion School

38°48′09″N 76°59′33″W / 38.802393°N 76.992552°W

John Hanson French Immersion (Area 4, District 4, Grades K-8, Weblink) is a dedicated K-8 magnet school, located in Oxon Hill. The school is named after John Hanson, who was a merchant and public official from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution. The principal is Dr. Lysianne Essama. The school hours are from 9:00 am to 3:40 pm. Approximately 366 students were enrolled as of September 2009. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at this school. As a dedicated magnet school, all students enrolled at the school participate in the full magnet program.

John Hanson French Immersion is a relatively new school with an old background. Prior to becoming a French Immersion magnet school, Hanson operated a kindergarten through grade six comprehensive elementary school. Between 2005 and 2008, the PGCPS Magnet Schools Program underwent a massive overhaul. As part of the overhaul, the French Immersion Magnet Programs at Shadyside Elementary School and Andrew Jackson Middle School, both in Suitland, were relocated and consolidated into one centralized location at the under-enrolled John Hanson facility, in Oxon Hill. John Hanson French Immersion shares its space with the John Hanson Montessori School.

As part of the French Immersion magnet program, students are taught all subjects in French language. The teachers are native French speakers from around the world. Students also study Italian. In addition, Algebra and Geometry are possible options in mathematics. The interdisciplinary approach for English, Art and World Studies includes special themes, seminars, field trips, and a strong focus on essay writing. International travel is an enrichment part of the French Immersion Program.

As of 2009, 81.1% and 83.3% of all students, were proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively. 31.8% of all students are eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

John Hanson Montessori School

38°48′09″N 76°59′33″W / 38.802393°N 76.992552°W

John Hanson Montessori (Area 4, District 4, Grades PreK-8, Weblink) is a dedicated PreK-8 magnet school located in Oxon Hill. The school is named after John Hanson, who was a merchant and public official from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution. As a dedicated magnet school, all students enrolled at the school participate in the full magnet program. The principal is Ms. Katrina Pinder. As of September 2009 366 students were enrolled at the school. The school hours are from 9:00 am to 3:40 pm. There is a voluntary uniform policy in place at this school.

John Hanson Montessori's current role as a Montessori magnet school, pre-dates its current role, back to when the school was known simply as, John Hanson Elementary School, with kindergarten through grade eight. In the mid-2000s, Prince George's County Public Schools completely revamped their magnet schools programs, and as a result, the Montessori programs Doswell E. Brooks and Flintstone Elementary School and Oxon Hill Middle School, were consolidated into the current new location at John Hanson. Hanson Montessori School share's its space with John Hanson French Immersion School.

The Montessori program provides an interdisciplinary, discovery-based approach to learning. The program was founded by Maria Montessori, who was an Italian physician and anthropologist, created learning activities that interrelate and build upon each other, and are presented sequentially over the years a child spends in the program. 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.

As of 2009, 82.9% of students in grades seven and eight were proficient in reading. 72.7% of students in grades seven and eight were proficient in mathematics. 23.1% of all students were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Hyattsville Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts

38°57′36″N 76°56′42″W / 38.960130°N 76.945088°W

Hyattsville Middle School (Area 1, District 2, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a Creative and Performing Arts school, located in Hyattsville. The principal is Mr. Thornton Boone. The school hours are 9:10 am to 3:55 pm. Approximately 792 students were enrolled as of March 2014. The school has uniforms with different color tops for each grade level (gold for 6th, royal blue for 7th, black for 8th).

Hyattsville Middle School is both a comprehensive school and a Creative and Performing Arts magnet program, which was introduced at the school in 2004. The program was modeled after the successful arts program at Thomas Pullen. However, unlike the program at Thomas Pullen — which is a K–8 whole-school program — the program at Hyattsville has a limited attendance area available only to students in Regions 2 and 5, and the program is only available to seventh and eighth graders, in addition, operates as a "program-within-a-school." The Creative Arts Schools follows the general curriculum guidelines that are used for all Prince George's County public elementary and middle schools. Basic instruction is provided in reading, mathematics, English, science, and social studies, as well as specialized instruction in the arts – art, drama, music, dance, physical education, creative writing, media production, literary arts, and related computer lab experiences.

As of 2014, 67.2% of all students were proficient in reading and 44.5% of students were proficient in mathematics. 79.9% of students were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

The majority of non-magnet students at Hyattsville go on to attend Northwestern High School, while others attend Bladensburg High School. CPA magnet students can continue to the Jim Henson Academy of Arts, Media and Communications, at Northwestern High School or the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts magnet program at Suitland High School.

Andrew Jackson Academy

38°50′28″N 76°54′30″W / 38.840974°N 76.908395°W

Andrew Jackson Academy (Area 3, District 3, Grades PreK-8, Weblink) is a combined PreK-8th grade comprehensive school, located in Forestville. The school is named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States (1829–1837).

The principal is Ms. Veonca Richardson. The school hours are from 8:30 am to 3:10 pm. Approximately 700 students were enrolled as of September 2009. There is a mandatory uniform policy in effect at this school.

Andrew Jackson was converted from a seventh and eighth grade middle school to a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade elementary and middle school, in the Fall of 2009. Prior to that, Andrew Jackson was a magnet school, housing the now eliminated Humanities and International Studies program.

Andrew Jackson students feed into Forestville Military Academy and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School.

Thomas Johnson Middle School

38°57′38″N 76°50′29″W / 38.960535°N 76.841281°W

Thomas Johnson Middle School (Area 2, District 1, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive, located in Lanham. The school is named after Thomas Johnson, who was the first elected Governor of Maryland, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The principal is Rodney McBride. The school hours are 9:00 am to 3:40 pm. Thomas Johnson has roughly 904 students enrolled. The projected enrollment for 2011–12 is over 1000 students. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at this school. The school is home to the 2010 county middle school basketball team, and an active music department (with 60 string orchestra students, over 100 band students and over 100 choral students). Just recently the county came back with middle school sports. Thomas Johnson Jaguars baseball team made it all the way to the 2013–14 championship being the runner-up team.

As of 2009, 66.3% and 42.8% of all students were proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively. 54.9% of all students were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Thomas Johnson feeds into DuVal High School.

Dr. Ernest Everett Just Middle School

38°54′26″N 76°49′48″W / 38.907198°N 76.830107°W

Dr. Ernest Everett Just Middle School (Area 3, District 5, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive middle school, located in Mitchellville. The school is named after Ernest Everett Just, who was a pioneering African American biologist, academic and science writer. The principal is Mr. Kelvin Moore. The school hours are from 9:00am to 3:40pm. There are about 964 students enrolled as of September 2009. There is currently a mandatory uniform policy at this school.

Just is a relatively new school, constructed a few years ago. The school is one of a few unique schools within the system to feature a full community/recreation center, attached to the facility. The school has a capacity of about 990 students.

As of 2009, 78.9% of all students were proficient in reading and 59.4% of all students were proficient in mathematics. 33.5% of all students were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Most of Just's students attend high school at nearby Charles Herbert Flowers High School, while others attend Largo High School.

Kenmoor Middle School

38°55′31″N 76°52′03″W / 38.925313°N 76.867481°W

Kenmoor Middle School (Area 2, District 3, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a magnet school located in Landover. The school features the Talented and Gifted (TAG) magnet program as well as the AVID Signature Program. Kenmoor was named a 1988–89 Maryland Blue Ribbon School and went on to become a 1988–89 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

The principal is Ms. Maha Fadli. The school hours are from 9:30 am to 4:20 pm. There are approximately 800 students enrolled as of September 2009. There is no uniform policy in effect at this school.

The TAG magnet program at Kenmoor functions as a "school-within-a-school." Most of the students take classes outside the magnet and are a part of the standard comprehensive program. The TAG magnet program provides a full-day of intensive educational program appropriate for identified talented and gifted students. Students are accepted into the program through Magnet Lottery application on a space-available basis.

As of 2009, 69% and 58.2% of all students were proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively. 61.7% of all students were eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Kenmoor feeds into Charles Herbert Flowers High School, DuVal High School, Parkdale High School, and Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

Kettering Middle School

38°53′42″N 76°48′40″W / 38.894970°N 76.811036°W

Kettering Middle School (Area 3, District 5, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school located in Kettering. Kettering is a former magnet school, having housed the Communication and Academic Studies magnet program for a number of years before the program was phased out by the school system, in 2005.

The principal at Kettering is Mr. Amin Salaam. The school hours are from 7:45 am until 2:25 pm. There are approximately 712 students enrolled at the school. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at Kettering.

As of 2009, 69.1% of all students were proficient in reading and 50.7% of all students were proficient in mathematics. 40.2% of all students were eligible for the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Most of Kettering's students attend high school at Largo High School and others attend Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School and Charles Herbert Flowers High School.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School

39°03′18″N 76°54′34″W / 39.054939°N 76.909404°W

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (Area 1, District 1, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Beltsville. The school is named after the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was an American clergyman, activist and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. The principal is Ms. Robin Wiltison. The school hours are from 9:00am until 4:20pm. The student enrollment is approximately 875.

Martin Luther King Junior High School opened to students in the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, the school was converted into a dedicated Academic Center magnet school. The program was a whole-school magnet and highly competitive. The schools name was subsequently changed to Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Center. The school began to flourish and eventually became the highest performing middle school, in the county. In 1993, the school was named a Maryland Blue Ribbon School. In that same year, the school was designated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The school prospered throughout the 1990s and into the start of the 21st century. But, despite all of the schools accolades and academic achievements, when the PGCPS Board of Education voted to revamp the systems magnet programs, it was decided that all Academic Center would be eliminated, as most were under-performing with the exception of the programs at Beltsville Academic Center and MLK. There was tons of opposition against the decision, but even still, the program was still eliminated at the end of the 2006 school year. The school is now simply called, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School.

MLK now has the AVID Signature Program. AVID is an educational program for middle and high school students that supports them in achieving their college goals through an academic elective course that teaches specific skills and reinforces the academic core. As part of the AVID program, students must also enroll in challenging or honors courses offered at their school. AVID students are middle and high school students who currently earn Bs, Cs, and possibly even Ds. These students are interested in going to college and need additional support to realize this dream. AVID students are generally members of under-represented ethnic groups at the nation's colleges and universities, the first in their families to attend college, or face financial or other hardships that may interfere with attending college.

MLK also has an expansive arts program. There choirs are notable and consistently score high ratings at festivals locally and nationally. The choirs are the main Mixed Chorus, the Girls Choir, the selective all-eighth-grade King Singers, and the combined Mass Choir.

Most of Martin Luther King's students go on to attend Laurel High School, while others attend High Point High School.

James Madison Middle School

38°47′19″N 76°50′25″W / 38.788525°N 76.840208°W

James Madison Middle School (Area 3, District 5, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Rosaryville. The school is named after the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, who is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The principal is Ms. Courtney M. King. The approximate student enrollment is 972. There is a mandatory uniform policy at this school.

As of 2009, 77.4% of all students were proficient in reading and 47.2% of all students were proficient in mathematics. 29.5% of all students were eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Most of Madison's students attend high school at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School, while a large portion attend Frederick Douglass High School, and the remaining attend Largo High School.

Thurgood G. Marshall Middle School

38°48′06″N 76°55′19″W / 38.801679°N 76.922010°W

Thurgood G. Marshall Middle School (Area 4, District 4, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school located in Temple Hills. The school was originally named after Supreme Court Justice and Maryland native Roger B. Taney. It was later renamed after Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.

The principal is Mr. DeMarco clark. The school hours are from 9:00 am until 3:40 pm. The enrollment at the school is approximately 841. There is a mandatory uniform policy in effect at this school.

As of 2009, 65.5% of all students tested proficient in reading while 33.5% of all students test proficient in mathematics. 50.1% of all students are eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Marshall primarily feeds into Crossland High School, with a portion of students feeding into Potomac High School and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School.

Samuel P. Massie Academy

38°50′41″N 76°54′26″W / 38.844609°N 76.907092°W

Samuel P. Massie Academy (Area 3, Region 3, Grades PreK–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive combined elementary and middle school, located in Forestville. The school is named after Samuel Massie, who was elected as the third President of North Carolina College at Durham. Dr. Massie came to the institution from Washington, D. C., where he was Associate Program Director for Undergraduate Science Education of the National Science Foundation and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Howard University. He resigned on February 1, 1966 and served as a chemistry professor at the United States Naval Academy from 1966 to 1993.

The school was opened in 2004 as Samuel P. Massie Elementary School. The school was converted to a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade configuration, in the Fall of 2009. The current principal is Ms. Michelle H. Pegram. The school has a capacity of 790 students. The approximate student enrollment is 552. The school hours are 7:45 am until 2:25 pm. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at Massie.

Samuel Massie students feed into Forestville Military Academy.

Samuel Ogle Middle School

38°59′37″N 76°44′30″W / 38.993526°N 76.741632°W

Samuel Ogle Middle School (Area 2, District 5, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Bowie. The school was named for Samuel Ogle, who was the Provincial Governor of Maryland from 1731 to 1732, 1733 to 1742, and 1746/1747 to 1752.

The principal of the school is Mr. Mark Covington. The approximate student enrollment is 1,035 students. The school hours are from 9:30 am until 4:10 pm. There is currently no uniform policy at this school.

Samuel Ogle was originally opened as a junior high school. The school was eventually converted to an elementary school where it remained so until 2007, when the school underwent yet another conversion, back to a middle school. The school was intended to alleviate overcrowding at Bowie's main intermediate school, Benjamin Tasker, which at the time was the largest middle school in the system in terms of student enrollment, and which had an enrollment higher than many of the area high schools.

As of 2009, 83.9% of all students were proficient in reading, while 74.2% of all students were proficient in mathematics, as identified through statement mandated testing. 24.1% of all students are eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Samuel Ogle Middle School has a whole-school AVID Signature Program.

In sports, Samuel Ogle Middle School's mascot is a Ram. Ogle's main rival is Benjamin Tasker Middle School, also in Bowie. For the '09–10 and '10–11 school years, Samuel Ogle Middle School's Boys Baseball team has won the County Championship. Last year, the team was led by Daniel Rice, starting centerfielder, Jordan Hinkle, starting catcher, and Nick Fox, starting pitcher. This was also the last year for middle school sports in the county, as PGCPS system leaders had to make budget cuts.

Students from Samuel Ogle attend high school at Bowie High School.

Nicholas Orem Middle School

38°57′52″N 76°57′38″W / 38.964389°N 76.960419°W

Nicholas Orem Middle School (Area 1, District 2, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a Title I comprehensive middle school, located in Hyattsville. The school is named in honor of former Prince George's County Public Schools' superintendent, Nicholas Orem.

The acting principal is Ms. Theresa Merrifield. The approximate student enrollment is 692. The school hours are from 9:30 am until 4:10 pm. The school has a mandatory uniform policy in place.

Nicholas Orem was originally opened as a junior high school with grades seven through nine. The school was converted to a seventh and eighth grade middle school, in the early 1980s. Nicholas Orem was also a former Science, Mathematics, and Technology magnet school, from the late-1980s until 2004. The school was then divided into four academic teams: Team 1 (7th grade magnet), Team 2 (8th grade magnet), Team 3 (7th & 8th grade comprehensive), and Team 4 (Creative Arts). After the magnet was eliminated, the school became a comprehensive school. In 2007, a sixth grade (from Lewisdale Elementary School) was added to Nicholas Orem, making it a true middle school configuration with grades six, seven, and eight.

As of 2009, 63.2% and 45.3% of all students, were proficient in reading and mathematics, respectively.

Most Nicholas Orem students continue their secondary education at Northwestern High School while others attend High Point High School.

Oxon Hill Middle School

38°45′42″N 77°00′51″W / 38.761642°N 77.014085°W

Oxon Hill Middle School (Area 4, District 4, Grades 7–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Fort Washington. The principal is Mr. Wendell Coleman. The student enrollment is approximately 650 students. The school hours are from 9:00am until 3:40pm. There is a mandatory uniform policy in effect at this school.

Oxon Hill Middle School was a former Montessori magnet school. The program was relocated to John Hanson, in 2005. Oxon Hill now has a whole-school AVID Signature Program.

As of 2009, 68.1% of all students were proficient in reading and 44.5% of all students were proficient in mathematics. 51.3% of all students were eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

The majority of Oxon Hill Middle School's students go on to attend Oxon Hill High School, with a very small portion of students feeding into Friendly High School and Potomac High School.

Thomas G. Pullen Creative and Performing Arts Magnet School

38°54′01″N 76°51′16″W / 38.900247°N 76.854547°W

The Thomas G. Pullen School for the Creative and Performing Arts (Area 2, District 3, Grades K–8, Weblink) is a dedicated magnet school, located in Landover. The principal is Ms. Pamela Lucas. The approximate school enrollment is 661 students. The school hours are from 9:00 am until 3:40 pm. There is no uniform policy in effect at this school.

The Thomas G. Pullen School was the original magnet school for the Creative and Performing Arts, in Prince George's County. The program has, thus far, proved to be very successful. During the magnet program overhaul in 2004, it was decided that, not only would the creative and performing arts program be retained, but it would also be expanded to other schools.

The arts magnet schools follow the general curriculum guidelines that are used for all Prince George's County public elementary and middle schools. Basic instruction is provided in reading, mathematics, English, science, and social studies, as well as specialized instruction in the arts – art, drama, music, dance, physical education, creative writing, media production, literary arts, and related computer lab experiences.

As of 2009, 89% of all students tested proficient in reading while 80.4% of students tested proficient in mathematics. 27.4% of all students are eligible to participate in the government-funded free and reduced lunch program.

Thomas Pullen students have the option of continuing their specialized arts magnet education, in the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts magnet program at Suitland High School.

Benjamin Stoddert Middle School

38°49′49″N 76°56′52″W / 38.830251°N 76.947663°W

Benjamin Stoddert Middle School (Area 4, District 4, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Temple Hills. The school is named after Benjamin Stoddert, the first United States Secretary of the Navy from May 1, 1798 to March 31, 1801.

The principal is Ms. Hillary Garner. The approximate student enrollment is 720. The school hours are from 8:30 am until 3:10 pm. This school has a mandatory uniform policy in effect.

As of 2009, 60.6% of students tested proficient in reading, while 30% of students tested proficient in mathematics. 57.7% of all students are eligible to participate in the federally funded free and reduced-price lunch program.

Most of Stoddert's students go on to attend Potomac High School, while the remaining students attend Crossland High School.

Benjamin Tasker Middle School

38°57′29″N 76°44′44″W / 38.958091°N 76.745483°W

Benjamin Tasker Middle School (Area 3, Region 5, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Bowie. The school is named for the Provincial Governor of Maryland, Benjamin Tasker, Sr., who served from 1752 to 1753. The current principal is Ms. Ingrid Johnson. The approximate student enrollment is 931. The school hours are 8:30 until 3:10 pm.

As of 2009, 61.5% of all students tested proficient in reading and 45.1% of all students tested proficient in mathematics.

Benjamin Tasker students feed into Bowie High School.

Benjamint Tasker Middle School is notable as one of the shooting sites in the Beltway sniper attacks. Eighth-grader Iran Brown was shot and critically wounded outside of the school on the morning of October 7, 2002. Brown survived the attack and ultimately testified at shooter John Allan Muhammad's trial.^[1]

Walker Mill Middle School

38°52′37″N 76°53′08″W / 38.876969°N 76.885645°W

Walker Mill Middle School (Area 3, Region 3, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a magnet school located in Capitol Heights. The principal is Dr. Nicole Clifton. The approximate student enrollment is 707. The school hours are from 9:30 am until 4:10 pm. Walker Mill is one of two Talented and Gifted Center magnet middle schools in Prince George's County. The TAG magnet at Walker Mill functions as a "school-within-a-school." Most of the students take classes outside the magnet and are a part of the standard comprehensive program. The TAG magnet program provides a full-day of intensive educational program appropriate for identified talented and gifted students. Students are accepted into the program through Magnet Lottery application on a space-available basis.

As of 2009, 79.7% of all students tested proficient in reading and 63.5% of all students tested proficient in mathematics.

Walker Mill primarily feeds into Central High School and Suitland High School, while a portion of its students go on to Largo High School, Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School or Charles Herbert Flowers High School.

William Wirt Middle School

38°58′01″N 76°54′36″W / 38.967025°N 76.909956°W

William Wirt Middle School (Area 2, District 2, Grades 6–8, Weblink) is a Title I comprehensive school#comprehensive middle school, located in Riverdale. The school is named after William Wirt, who was an American author, statesman, and who is credited with turning the position of United States Attorney General into one of influence.

The principal is Mr. Prentice Christian. The approximate enrollment is 781 students. The school hours are from 9:00 am until 3:40 pm. There is a mandatory uniform policy at this school.

In 2009, 62.9% of all students test proficient in reading, and 56.9% of all students tested proficient in mathematics. 83.2% of all students are eligible to participate in the federally funded free and reduced-price lunch program.

William Wirt students go on to attend Parkdale High School and Bladensburg High School.

References

1. "Youngest sniper victim testifies, BBC News". bbc.co.uk. October 22, 2003. Retrieved November 10, 2009.