Summary:
Zip code 20782 in Hyattsville, MD, is home to seven public schools within the Prince George's County Public Schools district, serving students from elementary through high school in a community facing significant economic challenges, with an average Free and Reduced Lunch (FARL) rate of 85%.
The standout school in the area is Cesar Chavez Elementary, which earns a 3-star rating and ranks in the 61st percentile statewide, achieving the highest test scores in the zip code with 62.3% proficiency in English Language Arts and 28.5% in math, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 18.9%. In contrast, Rosa L. Parks Elementary is the most challenged, with a 0-star rating and only 6.3% math proficiency. University Park Elementary is a consistent performer with a 2-star rating and math proficiency (25.8%) nearly double the district average. The only high school, Northwestern High, faces significant hurdles with a 1-star rating, a 27.7% dropout rate, and a 68.8% graduation rate. Nicholas Orem Middle shows a notable drop in math proficiency to just 8%, highlighting a challenging transition point for students.
A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as Chillum Elementary spends the most per student ($25,022) but ranks in the 13th percentile, while Cesar Chavez spends less ($18,842) and outperforms all others. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful predictor of performance, with the top schools having the lowest rates and the bottom schools having the highest. Cesar Chavez Elementary serves as a beacon of hope, proving that high-poverty schools can achieve excellent results and providing a model for the district to follow.
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