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On May 27, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) released the interim report for the system’s Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative. The report presents the findings from the first phase of data analysis and community engagement, including three draft plans and maps depicting potential future boundaries that are expected to be phased in for the 2022–2023 school year.
While many Greenbelt students will remain in the schools they are currently in, there are some significant changes being proposed. Depending on exactly where they live, students living in Franklin Park might move from Springhill Lake Elementary to Greenbelt Elementary and from Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) to Parkdale High School.
Students in Greenbelt Station might move from ERHS to High Point High School. Those on Hanover Parkway near Schrom Hills Park might move from Magnolia Elementary to Robert Frost Elementary and from Greenbelt Middle School to either Thomas Jefferson or Charles Carroll Middle.
PGCPS reported that the approaches are based on the school system’s priorities, community feedback and original analysis conducted by a consultant team. The report explores school capacity and utilization, distance traveled to school and facility condition in addition to recent boundary changes and the possible impact on specialty programs and services.
“We do not take lightly the potential impact of a change in school boundaries on our students and families,” said Chief Executive Officer Monica Goldson. “But many schools are over capacity, while others are under capacity or need revitalization. Given the expected increase in utilization and growth challenges, adjusting school boundaries now will help to provide all students with the educational experiences they deserve.”
The report has an interactive tool that offers three different approaches to boundary changes. After putting in an address, the user sees the existing assigned schools and three new scenarios. Scenario One puts the most importance on minimizing changes. Scenario Two emphasizes improving school utilization. Scenario Three focuses on improving facility conditions by moving more students to updated facilities.
Following public input throughout the spring and summer, a second round of community engagement activities will take place in the fall. The Boundary Initiative will conclude by February 2022 with recommended boundary changes offered by the CEO to the Prince George’s County Board of Education for their approval. Potential boundary changes will be phased in starting with the 2022–2023 school year.
For more information, visit the Boundary Initiative website at pgcps.org/boundary.
