Summary:
Zip code 20737 in Riverdale, Maryland, is served by two elementary schools, Riverdale Elementary and Beacon Heights Elementary, both part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district, which ranks near the bottom of Maryland districts.
Beacon Heights Elementary is the clear standout in this area, ranking in the 40th percentile statewide (520th of 864) with a 2-star rating, while Riverdale Elementary ranks much lower in the 23rd percentile (666th of 864) with a 1-star rating. Beacon Heights outperforms Riverdale in all tested subjects, with the most dramatic gap in 5th Grade Science (30.8% vs. 9.8% proficient). Interestingly, Beacon Heights achieves these results despite a higher chronic absenteeism rate (35.4% vs. 27.2%) and serves a similarly high-need population, with over 91% of students at both schools qualifying for free/reduced lunch. Beacon Heights also spends slightly more per student ($22,650 vs. $21,686) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (10.8:1 vs. 13.2:1).
Key takeaways for parents include that spending does not guarantee performance, as Beacon Heights uses its resources more effectively. Riverdale shows a troubling decline in math proficiency from 3rd grade (27.2%) to 5th grade (7%), suggesting a weakness in upper-grade math instruction. Conversely, Beacon Heights excels in English Language Arts in later grades, with 4th and 5th graders significantly outperforming 3rd graders. While both schools are below state averages in most subjects, Beacon Heights demonstrates that near-state-average performance is achievable in specific areas like Science and upper-grade ELA, even with high poverty and absenteeism challenges.
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