Phoenix International School of the Arts

Phoenix International School of the Arts is a small middle school in La Plata, MD, serving 243 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Charles County Public Schools district, with a notable arts focus and a student body where 42% of students are economically disadvantaged.

The most critical concern for parents is the school's severe math crisis, with only 4.4% of students proficient in mathematics—far below the district average of 17% and the state average of 27.1%. This is especially stark compared to the nearby Milton M. Somers Middle School, just 0.82 miles away, which serves a similar demographic but achieves a 17.3% math proficiency rate. The math deficiency is consistent across all grades, with 8th grade hitting 0% proficiency. On a more positive note, English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency has improved significantly, rising from 30.1% to 42.5% in one year, though it still trails the district average of 45.6%. The school also saw a dramatic spike in chronic absenteeism, jumping from 7.6% to 19.5% in a single year, a 156% increase not seen in nearby schools.

Despite spending $18,265 per student—more than higher-performing peers like Theodore G. Davis Middle School ($15,169)—the school remains low-performing overall, earning a 2-star rating. However, its state ranking has improved from the 17th to the 34th percentile, suggesting recent interventions may be gaining traction, particularly in literacy. The key question for parents is whether the school can replicate its ELA success in math, where systemic issues appear deeply rooted.