Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) began the school year on Monday, August 29 with a focus on mathematics achievement, school safety, social-emotional learning and mental health.
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson started the first day at the new Cherokee Lane Elementary School in Adelphi, the first public school in Maryland to use a hybrid off-site/on-site construction model. Afterward, she visited Eleanor Roosevelt High School where new principal Dr. Portia Barnes is the first woman to lead the school. Finally, Goldson joined the 2022 Teacher of the Year Evelyn Policarpio, an eighth-grade math teacher, for lunch at Benjamin Tasker Middle School.
“Each first day of school is special,” said Goldson. “This year is even more special because all of our students are returning to classrooms on the first day together for the first time since 2020. I look forward to focusing on what matters most: teaching, learning and serving our more than 131,000 students.”
The school system’s strategic goals include accelerating achievement in mathematics across all grade levels, and improving the school climate by addressing challenges with behavior, attendance, safety and inclusivity. Additionally, work is underway to expand mental health and wellness supports as well as social-emotional learning.
New Principals
Thirty-five schools are welcoming new principals. While some are first-time PGCPS administrators, most were promoted through the school system’s “growing our own” initiative, which offers leadership training and mentoring.
Building Greener
Cherokee Lane Elementary is the first of 10 new schools set to open over the next four years as PGCPS modernizes school infrastructure through innovative construction and financing methods. Sustainable school buildings that reduce their carbon footprint and harness clean energy are integral to the system’s new Climate Change Action Plan – Cherokee Lane attained LEED Silver certification. Schools under construction include: Adelphi, Walker Mill, Drew-Freeman, Hyattsville, Kenmoor, Glenridge and William Wirt Middle Schools; the new Colin L. Powell K-8 Academy; and Suitland High School. The second phase of schools to be built under the alternative financing model will be announced this fall.
School Boundaries
PGCPS will finalize the Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative, balancing enrollment and creating new boundaries for neighborhood schools. The project timeline was extended last spring to allow adequate time for recently-appointed Board of Education members from vacant districts to review community feedback. The Boundary Initiative started in fall 2020. It is being conducted by a consultant team led by WXY Studio, working in close partnership with PGCPS staff and the Boundary Advisory Committee. Changes will be phased in during the 2023-24 school year.