Summary:
Zip code 20745 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, is home to two public high schools, Oxon Hill High and Potomac High, both part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district, which faces significant systemic challenges.
These two schools present a stark contrast in performance. Oxon Hill High is the standout, ranking 125th out of 227 high schools in the state, with a graduation rate of 84.3% and a dropout rate of just 12.2%. Its English Language Arts proficiency is a notable strength at 56.3%, exceeding both the district and state averages. However, its math proficiency is critically low at 7.0%, creating a large performance gap. In contrast, Potomac High faces severe challenges, ranking 193rd in the state with a graduation rate of only 59.4% and a dropout rate of 26.5%. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 61.3% is alarmingly high, and 94% of its students are economically disadvantaged. Despite spending $22,270 per student—$3,841 more than Oxon Hill—Potomac's outcomes are significantly worse, showing that higher spending does not automatically lead to better results.
For parents, the key takeaway is that school-level factors matter immensely. Oxon Hill High offers a stronger academic environment, particularly in ELA, but struggles with math instruction and has a chronic absenteeism rate (35.4%) above the district average. Potomac High requires intensive support to address its high absenteeism and low graduation rates. The data clearly links economic disadvantage to performance, but it also shows that effective school leadership and programs can make a difference, as seen in Oxon Hill's relative success within the same district.
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