The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Calverton Elementary
Calverton Elementary is a regular public school in Beltsville, Maryland, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Prince George's County Public Schools, a large district that recently approved a budget increase with more money directed to teacher salaries and student support, adopted a new district-wide literacy curriculum based on the science of reading, and conducted a boundary review that could change some school assignments starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
The school is a sizable elementary building with an enrollment that is notably diverse. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population, and smaller shares of White, Asian, and multiracial students. An overwhelming majority of the school’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a high level of economic need. This composition shapes the peer environment, and families should understand the economic context of the community.
State assessment results from the most recent year show significant academic challenges. In math, the share of students scoring at the proficient level was small in third grade and notably low in both fourth and fifth grades. In English language arts, third graders had a higher but still limited proficiency rate, while the rates for fourth and fifth grades were lower. Fifth-grade science results were also low. These numbers point to a school where a large majority of students are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks in reading, math, or science as measured by Maryland's state tests. A parent exploring this school would want to ask how it is working to address these outcomes and what supports are available for students who are behind.
No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing levels, so a parent would need to investigate those areas directly with the school.
Beltsville itself is a census-designated place in northern Prince George's County with a diverse population and a strong institutional presence, most notably the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a massive federal campus. The area developed as a suburban commuter hub for Washington, D.C., and remains largely auto-dependent, with schools like Calverton spread out on separate campuses rather than clustered in a walkable downtown. Housing in the zip code has appreciated moderately, and rents have risen as well. The community has seen a population decline in recent years, and its median household income reflects a middle-income profile relative to the broader region. The local economy is anchored by federal employment, including the USDA and the Department of State.
For a family, Calverton Elementary serves a high-need, diverse student population within a large district undergoing curriculum changes and boundary adjustments. The academic proficiency data is a clear soft spot that warrants a direct conversation with the school about instructional strategies, intervention programs, and what progress the school is making. A parent may also want to look into whether the pending district boundary review will affect Calverton’s attendance zone. The school's size and demographics provide a specific kind of peer environment, and the surrounding community offers modest housing costs relative to the Washington metro area and access to federal research facilities and commuter rail, but suburban sprawl and limited walkability define daily life.
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