Summary:
The five public schools in zip code 20708 (Laurel, MD) are all part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district and serve students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, with four elementary schools and one middle school, in a community where over 90% of students face economic disadvantage.
Montpelier Elementary stands out as the clear academic leader, earning the only 2-star rating in the area and achieving math proficiency (26.5%) nearly double the district average, despite having the lowest per-student spending ($17,286) and the highest student-teacher ratio (14.5:1). In stark contrast, James H. Harrison Elementary spends the most per student ($28,654) with the smallest class sizes (10:1) yet ranks near the bottom in performance, proving that money alone doesn't drive success. Oaklands Elementary faces the greatest challenges with the lowest academic scores (8.5% math proficiency) and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (37.6%), while Deerfield Run Elementary and Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle fall in the middle range.
A critical issue across the zip code is chronic absenteeism, which averages 31.2%—meaning roughly one in three students misses significant school time. However, Eisenhower Middle offers a bright spot with the lowest absenteeism rate (21.5%) and a fascinating "Algebra I paradox": while its general math scores are critically low (5.8% proficiency), its advanced Algebra I exam scores (47.2%) far exceed district and state averages, suggesting strong acceleration for a select group of students. Overall, Montpelier Elementary serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that strong leadership and effective teaching can overcome significant socioeconomic hurdles and limited resources.
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