Best High Schools in Zip Code 20772

There are three high schools in zip code 20772 (Upper Marlboro, MD), all part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district, serving grades 9-12 in an area where the district itself faces significant academic challenges.

Frederick Douglass High is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star rating and the highest state rank (82nd percentile). It leads with a 92.1% graduation rate, the lowest dropout rate (3.6%), and the strongest English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency at 63.1%, which exceeds the state average. In contrast, International High School @ Largo is the most challenged, with a 0-star rating, a 1st percentile state rank, and a 94.92% free/reduced lunch rate. It has the highest chronic absenteeism (44.9%) and critically low academic scores, including 0% math proficiency. Dr. Henry A. Wise Junior High sits in the middle as the largest school (2,291 students), with a consistent 2-star rating and a graduation rate of 86.1%, though it has the highest dropout rate (10.9%) among the three.

A key takeaway is that spending does not directly correlate with performance: International High @ Largo spends the most per student ($24,041) and has the smallest class sizes (11.2:1 ratio), yet performs the worst, suggesting that high poverty and chronic absenteeism overwhelm resource investments. All three schools struggle significantly with math proficiency, with none exceeding 7.4%, compared to the state average of 27.1%. Chronic absenteeism is the defining challenge, as Frederick Douglass (27.7% absenteeism) outperforms its peers, while International High @ Largo (44.9%) lags behind. Frederick Douglass High shows that strong outcomes are possible even in a low-ranked district, though its state rank dropped from the 82nd to the 47th percentile, a trend worth monitoring.