Best Public Schools in Lanham, MD

The city of Lanham, Maryland is home to 8 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, all part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district. While the district as a whole is ranked 22 out of 25 in the state and has a 1-star rating, the data reveals stark differences in academic performance across the schools.

Glenarden Woods Elementary stands out as the top-performing school, ranked 1st out of 859 Maryland elementary schools with a 5-star rating. The school boasts exceptional test scores, with 83.8% of students proficient or better in mathematics and 95.4% in English language arts, significantly higher than the district and state averages. In contrast, schools like James McHenry Elementary and Duval High have much lower proficiency rates, particularly in mathematics, where only 6.5% of Duval High students are proficient or better, compared to the state average of 24.1%.

The data also reveals a potential relationship between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools that have higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch generally performing worse. However, the presence of a high-performing magnet school like Glenarden Woods Elementary suggests that school choice and specialized programs can play a role in driving academic excellence. Overall, the analysis highlights the need for targeted interventions and support to address the disparities in educational outcomes across the schools in Lanham, Maryland.