Suitland Elementary

Suitland Elementary is a public school in Suitland, MD, serving 514 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district, an area with high economic need where over 94% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch.

The most critical challenge at Suitland Elementary is an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate, hovering around 50% for the past five years—far above the district average of 30.2% and the highest among nearby schools. For comparison, Overlook Elementary, just 1.27 miles away, has a chronic absenteeism rate of only 13.0% and ranks in the 52nd percentile statewide, while Suitland has fallen to the bottom 4% of Maryland elementary schools. This absenteeism crisis is a fundamental barrier to learning, as students cannot benefit from instruction if they are not in class. Despite spending a substantial $25,123 per student—more than many peers like District Heights Elementary ($20,997)—academic outcomes remain among the worst in the area, with overall math proficiency at just 5.9% and 4th grade math at a mere 2.7%.

There is a glimmer of hope in early literacy: 28% of 3rd graders were proficient in English Language Arts, higher than nearby William Beanes Elementary (21.4%) and Bradbury Heights Elementary (22.6%). However, this progress fades in later grades, with 5th grade ELA proficiency dropping to 14.1%. The stark contrast with Overlook Elementary—which has a 53.3% ELA proficiency rate and a 37.25% free/reduced lunch rate—suggests that school-specific factors like culture, leadership, and family engagement play a major role in outcomes. For parents, the key takeaway is that Suitland Elementary faces deep challenges with attendance and math instruction, and while resources are high, the school must first ensure students are present to benefit from them.