The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Judith P. Hoyer Montessori
Judith P. Hoyer Montessori is a regular public school in Landover, Maryland, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As a Montessori school within the Prince George’s County Public Schools system, it offers a distinctive instructional approach that emphasizes student-directed learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on materials. The school’s enrollment is modest for its grade band, with a student body that is predominantly African American, accompanied by smaller shares of white, Hispanic, and Asian students. A substantial portion of students come from households with economic need, as indicated by the share qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.
Academically, the school’s performance on Maryland’s state assessments shows a clear pattern. In mathematics, proficiency rates across grades generally fall below half of students tested, with some grades at roughly a quarter proficient and a few slightly above that mark. The picture in English language arts is stronger. In several grades, the majority of students met or exceeded standards, with some upper-elementary and middle school grades approaching or surpassing three-quarters proficient. Early elementary reading results are more mixed, with third grade showing just under half proficient. Science results are available for fifth and eighth grades; fifth grade proficiency is moderate, while eighth grade shows a stronger share meeting standards. Social studies, tested in eighth grade, has a result that falls below half. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate is reported, and state testing data for the earliest grades (pre-K through second) is not applicable since those grades are not assessed under Maryland’s system.
The school’s setting in Landover shapes the experience families can expect. Landover is an unincorporated, auto-oriented suburban community within Prince George’s County, consisting of many small residential subdivisions interspersed with commercial and industrial zones. Major highways and arterial roads dominate the landscape, though Washington Metro rail lines and stations provide transit access to the region. The area lacks a traditional downtown; civic and recreational anchors include the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, community centers, and nearby Northwest Stadium. The housing market in the zip code shows home values and rents that are moderate relative to state and national benchmarks, with a slight recent dip in home values and a small increase in rents. The local economy is anchored by employers such as Giant Food’s corporate headquarters and plant, WMATA facilities, and the stadium.
At the district level, Prince George’s County Public Schools has recently undertaken several changes that affect schools like Judith P. Hoyer Montessori. The district approved a budget increase focused on teacher salaries and student supports, implemented a district-wide literacy initiative adopting new reading curriculum aligned with the science of reading, and conducted a boundary review to address overcrowding and facility use, with proposed changes for the coming school year. These district-level moves may influence class sizes, instructional materials, and attendance boundaries over time.
For families considering this school, the primary draw is the Montessori program offered in a public school setting, providing an alternative to traditional instruction without private tuition. The academic results suggest that while math performance is an area of relative weakness, reading achievement is notably stronger, especially in the upper grades. Parents may wish to follow up with the school about how the Montessori approach is implemented within state standards and what supports are available for students who need additional help in math. The school’s size and diverse enrollment create a particular peer environment, and the surrounding community offers suburban convenience with transit options and a range of housing.
See more original research from School Decision →