Summary:
There are four elementary schools serving the city of Adelphi, Maryland, all part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district, which serves a high-need community where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Adelphi Elementary stands out as the top performer in the city, earning the only 2-star rating and the best state ranking (33rd percentile). It leads in math (24.2% proficient) and science (19.2% proficient), and has a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 11.1%—far below the district average of 30.2%. In contrast, Cool Spring Elementary faces the greatest challenges, with the lowest test scores (11.5% math proficiency), the highest poverty rate (95.85% FRPL), and the highest per-student spending ($27,476), yet it ranks in the 9th percentile statewide. Mary Harris Mother Jones Elementary shows the most improvement, climbing 90 spots in state ranking over three years to the 28th percentile, and excels in 3rd grade math (33.6% proficient). Cherokee Lane Elementary sits in the middle, with a 25.7% chronic absenteeism rate and moderate scores.
A key takeaway is that spending does not guarantee results: Cool Spring spends the most per student but performs the worst, while Adelphi spends less and achieves more. Chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with performance, as Adelphi’s low absence rate aligns with its academic success. Additionally, Adelphi’s 4th grade is a standout, achieving 40% math proficiency—more than double any other local school—suggesting a targeted instructional strength. For parents, Adelphi Elementary offers the strongest overall outcomes, while Mary Harris Mother Jones shows promising upward momentum, particularly in early math.
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