Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in zip code 20735 (Clinton, MD), all part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district, serving grades PK-5 in a predominantly low-income area where the average free/reduced lunch rate is 82.9%.
Francis T. Evans Elementary is the standout performer in the area, earning a 2-star rating and ranking in the 35th percentile statewide—significantly higher than its peers. It is the only school in the zip code to match the state average in math proficiency (26.1%), nearly doubling the next best school, James Ryder Randall Elementary (14.8%). Notably, Evans achieves this with a lower free/reduced lunch rate (60.31%) and lower per-student spending ($18,232) than its neighbors. In contrast, Waldon Woods Elementary and Clinton Grove Elementary both have 1-star ratings and struggle with math proficiency below 13%. James Ryder Randall shows a promising upward trend, improving its state ranking for three consecutive years to the 31st percentile, and it leads the zip code in ELA proficiency (40.5%), exceeding the district average.
A critical finding is the "5th grade cliff" in math: at Waldon Woods, 3rd-grade math proficiency is 23.7%, but 5th-grade math plummets to just 2.9%, indicating foundational skills are not building. Chronic absenteeism is a major barrier, with rates of 35% or higher at the three highest-poverty schools, while Evans has the lowest rate (26.9%) and the best academic outcomes. This data shows that while socioeconomic challenges are significant, Francis T. Evans Elementary proves that strong math performance is achievable in this zip code, making it the top choice for parents prioritizing numeracy skills.
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