Navigating the lottery enrollment and first-day jitters can be difficult enough, but finding the perfect public school for your child can be an added stressor. Take some of the pressure off by reading up on the top Prince George’s County public schools.
Key Takeaways
- The big picture: Prince George’s County Public Schools offer a variety of specializations and programs beyond general education.
- The details: Some schools allow students to graduate with specialized degrees or certifications that can give them a leg up in college and career applications.
- The more you know: Be sure to check out each school’s extracurricular program to find activities that appeal to your child.
1. Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College
- Address: 301 Largo Road, Largo
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 9-12 middle college high school
- Advanced health courses
- Chinese language courses
- Internship options
About the school: The first middle college program in Largo, Academy of Health Science students typically graduate with an associate’s degree with a focus in Health Sciences or Teaching. The school also offers a variety of STEM focused after school clubs to help students build their higher education resumes.
What students and parents are saying: “This school has prepared me for college and some aspects of the real world. It is built for students who have goals and intentions for where they want to go and are focused on elevating and being the best for their future self,” one alum said.
A tip for students: 84% of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive academically, so students should be prepared to push themselves and take advantage of internship options and extracurricular activities.
2. Eleanor Roosevelt High School
- Address: 7601 Hanover Parkway, Greenbelt
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 9-12 public school
- Science and technology programs available
- Work-based learning programs
- Dual enrollment options
About the school: Eleanor Roosevelt High School emphasizes personal responsibility, trust and compassion. The school offers a locally designed service-learning program that incorporates science, social studies and independent community service.
What students and parents are saying: “Eleanor Roosevelt has so much [sic] opportunities and clubs to really find your people and find your interests,” a student wrote.
A tip for students: 77% of students say kids at this school are involved in school activities, so looking into clubs and extracurricular activities on campus early is a must.
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3. College Park Academy
- Address: 5751 Rivertech Court, Riverdale
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 6-12 public charter school
- Signature programs
- AP Seminar and AP Research
- Top Prince George’s County school according to U.S. News & World Report
About the school: Focused on personalized learning, College Park Academy gives students the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits while learning at their own pace. Rather than only punishing poor behavior, College Park uses a positive behavior incentive system to encourage and reward good actions.
What students and parents are saying: “The faculty always was and is kind. They’ve helped me get through the day, day by day. Inspiring me to do my best even when it is hard,” a senior wrote.
A tip for students: A student poll found that 100% of students and parents surveyed agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students, so there’s no need to be afraid to ask your instructor for help when necessary.
4. Oxon Hill High School
- Address: 6701 Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 9-12 public high school
- Specialized academies
- Air Force training available
- Recently expanded student wellness center
About the school: A welcoming environment that transforms students into productive citizens, Oxon Hill School mixes traditional learning with unique immersive experiences. Every other week, students can participate in Engagement and Achievement activities to learn about different fields and programs.
What students and parents are saying:“They have a lot of activities and their school is very diverse. Students get along with others and connect well with staff,” a student wrote.
A tip for students: Student reviews on education platforms highlight that preparation and organization are key to navigating the active school environment.
5. Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
- Address: 14800 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 9-12 public charter high school
- Sister school to Chesapeake Science Point
- Partnerships with local colleges and universities
- Individualized instruction
About the school: This STEM based charter school offers unique opportunities for high schoolers to participate in advanced science projects and internships. Lower school programs also give students a leg up in STEM fields through specialized instruction and after school programs.
What students and parents are saying: “Being a student at Chesapeake Math & IT Academy has pushed me to aim higher in both academics and personal growth. From the moment I started here, I knew that this school sets high expectations not just for grades, but for character and effort too,” an alum wrote.
A tip for students: 40% of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. A recent reviewer noted that some clubs require a one-time donation, so ask when signing up for extracurriculars to avoid surprises.
6. Charles Herbert Flowers High School
- Address: 10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Springdale
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 9-12 public high school
- Dedicated tutoring and extracurricular support time
- Varied extracurriculars
- Experienced administration
About the school: Charles Herbert Flowers High School collaborates with students, teachers and parents to create a path for excellence. This school helps college and career readiness through programs ranging from Advanced Placement to Air Force training.
What students and parents are saying: “My experience at Charles Herbert Flowers High School has been positive overall. The best part of the school is the supportive teachers, diverse student body, and opportunities to participate in sports and extracurricular activities,” an alum said.
A tip for students: Charles Herbert Flowers HS offers specialized programs that many schools in the area don’t, like the Science & Technology or Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Technology. Students who are interested in these fields should take advantage of these programs.
7. Glenarden Woods Elementary
- Address: 7801 Glenarden Parkway, Glenarden
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- 2-5 public elementary school
- Gifted and talented programs available
- Many creative projects
- Uses New Mathematics Standards
About the school: An encouraging environment where hard work is valued as much (if not more) than innate talent, Glenarden allows students to grow. Challenges are treated like a part of learning and mistakes are considered a part of educational development.
What students and parents are saying: “So, the teachers there are fantastic, I remember that in one year we had like 3 teachers with PhDs. The attitude in the classroom is great. The school starts teaching you about social issues and bullying from the very beginning of second grade, which really engraves these concepts into your mind after 4 years,” an alum wrote on GreatSchools.
A tip for students: 75% of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons, so students should be prepared to take extensive notes. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand in class!
8. Heather Hills Elementary
- Address: 12605 Heming Lane, Bowie
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- K-5 public elementary school
- Gifted and talented programs available
- Maryland Green School
- Before and after care
About the school: This school prioritizes social-emotional support to ensure students are prepared to take on any challenges that may come their way. Small group instruction and writing courses help kids develop the most essential elementary skills.
What students and parents are saying: “Great small community school, very quaint, excellent learning program. I was very impressed with the rate that my daughter learned new content and all the special activities the school performed in,” a parent said on Great Schools.
A tip for students: According to the latest available handbook, students can earn ClassDojo points (earning a monthly certificate of achievement) or earn the designation of Student of the Month, highlighting students who go above and beyond expectations.
9. Capitol Heights Elementary
- Address: 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- K-5 public elementary school
- Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education Award recipient
- Dual language Spanish program
- Arts Integration program
About the school: A challenging environment that fosters children’s individual gifts, Capitol Heights Elementary offers many enrichment programs so students can explore new skills and interests.
What students and parents are saying: “CHES is a well rounded school, combined with academics, arts, great staff. We experienced our first year of public school here and it was a great decision,” a parent wrote on Great Schools.
A tip for students: The student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1, giving students a better advantage to a more personalized learning experience. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of that opportunity!
10. Dora Kennedy French Immersion School
- Address: 8950 Edmonston Road, Greenbelt
- District: Prince George’s County Public Schools
Noteworthy attributes:
- K-8 magnet school
- Language focused
- Maryland Green School
- Digital school library
About the school: An incredible place to develop language skills with gifted and talented programs, Dora Kennedy French Immersion School allows students access to higher level language learning at a public school.
What students and parents are saying: “Dora Kennedy is an amazing school. My 4th grader is nearly fluent in French after 4 years there. He also is excelling in math and science (which he learned about all in French). The Administration is consistent and we could not be more pleased with our experience,” a parent said.
A tip for students: This is a language immersion school so be prepared for the challenge of learning your basic studies in two different languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll my child in Prince George’s County Public Schools?
Families enroll through Prince George’s County Public Schools at pgcps.org. Your child is assigned to a neighborhood school by address, while charter, magnet and specialty programs use a separate lottery application with set deadlines. Start early, because popular programs fill quickly and some require testing or an interview.
What is the best public high school in Prince George’s County?
College Park Academy, a public charter school in Riverdale, ranks as the top Prince George’s County school according to U.S. News and World Report, and students there can earn up to 60 college credits. Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt is another strong choice for science and technology.
What is the difference between a public, charter and magnet school here?
All three are free and part of Prince George’s County Public Schools. Traditional public schools serve students assigned to their neighborhood. Charter schools run independently with their own focus, such as STEM or personalized learning. Magnet schools offer specialized themes like language immersion, and both charters and magnets admit students by lottery.
Does Prince George’s County have language immersion schools?
Yes. Dora Kennedy French Immersion School in Greenbelt teaches core subjects in French from kindergarten through eighth grade. The Academy of Health Sciences also offers Chinese language courses, and schools like Capitol Heights Elementary run dual language Spanish programs, so families seeking bilingual education have strong public options.
Are there STEM focused schools in Prince George’s County?
Yes. Chesapeake Math and IT Academy in Laurel is a STEM charter school with advanced science projects and internships. The Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College lets students graduate with an associate degree in health sciences, giving science minded students a head start on college.
More school guides for DMV families
Choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes, and Prince George’s County offers strong options no matter your child’s age or interests. As you compare, it helps to look across the wider region too. Browse our roundup of the best public and charter schools in the DMV for more specialty programs, or narrow by grade with our picks for top public middle schools and top rated elementary schools in the DC area. Once you have a shortlist, mark the key dates on the 2026 to 2027 Maryland school calendar so you never miss an enrollment or lottery deadline.
Stevie Rosenfeld is a journalism and environmental studies student at American University who has reported for American Way of Life Magazine and D.C. Witness. She writes about education, family life and things to do across the DMV.
