Summary:
In zip code 20735 (Clinton, MD), there is one middle school, Stephen Decatur Middle, serving grades 6 through 8 with 751 students as part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district.
Stephen Decatur Middle presents a mixed picture of performance. The school is a relative bright spot in English Language Arts (ELA), with 40.5% of students proficient overall, slightly above the district average of 38.9%. Seventh-grade ELA is a particular strength, with 53.2% proficiency, nearly matching the state average. However, mathematics is a significant challenge: only 7.5% of students are proficient in math, which is roughly half the district average and far below the state average of 27.1%. Interestingly, the school's Algebra I exam proficiency (18.9%) is higher than the district average (11.1%), suggesting that advanced math students may receive stronger instruction. The school spends a notable $21,636 per student, yet this high investment has not translated into strong math outcomes, indicating a need for targeted math interventions.
On a positive note, chronic absenteeism at 23.0% is significantly lower than the district average of 30.2%, a strong achievement given that 75.1% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school is also on an improving trajectory: from the 2024-2025 to 2025-2026 school year, math proficiency rose from 4.2% to 7.5%, and ELA proficiency increased from 35.9% to 40.5%. This upward trend earned the school a 2-star rating for the first time, moving from the 26th to the 32nd percentile in state rankings. For parents, this school offers a solid foundation in literacy and improving overall performance, but math achievement remains a critical area requiring attention.
Thank you for your feedback!