The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Clinton Grove Elementary
Clinton Grove Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Prince George's County Public Schools district. The school is located in the residential community of Clinton, a car-dependent unincorporated area south of Washington, D.C. that is best described as a bedroom suburb. Most working residents commute out of Clinton, with the largest share heading to Washington, D.C., and the local economy is dominated by public administration, education, and healthcare jobs rather than large private employers.
The student body at Clinton Grove Elementary is diverse. The largest group of students is Black, making up roughly three-fifths of enrollment, followed by Hispanic students at just under a third. White students account for a small share, and there are smaller numbers of Asian and American Indian or Alaska Native students. About three-quarters of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a rate that signals a high level of economic need in the community. The school enrolls students across a typical elementary grade span, with roughly similar class sizes from kindergarten through fifth grade.
State testing results for the most recent year show that student performance on the MCAP assessments is well below state averages. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was in the single digits for third and fourth grades and climbed slightly into the mid-teens for fifth grade. In English language arts, the proficient or above rates were higher than in math but still low: around a quarter for third grade, a fifth for fourth grade, and a range reported in the low to mid-thirties for fifth grade. Science results from the MISA test for fifth graders again showed a low share of students reaching proficiency.
These are difficult numbers, and they warrant a close look from any family considering this school. A parent may want to discuss with the school principal or instructional leadership what specific interventions and supports are being used to raise achievement, and what progress the school is tracking year over year. Because the data only covers a single year, there is no trend information available to say whether performance is improving or declining. The school data does not include measures of chronic absenteeism or staffing ratios, so a fuller picture of the school environment would require direct inquiry.
The district, Prince George's County Public Schools, has taken several steps in recent years that affect the elementary experience. A district-wide literacy initiative adopted in the 2023-2024 school year replaced the reading curriculum with one aligned to the science of reading, which means the approach to teaching reading at Clinton Grove Elementary has been updated. The district also approved a budget increase in the last fiscal year, with additional money directed toward teacher salaries and student support services. A boundary review conducted in 2024, with changes proposed for the 2025-2026 school year, may affect which schools some students attend, though specific impacts for Clinton Grove Elementary were not part of the available information.
Housing in Clinton is typical for a mature Washington-area suburb that grew rapidly through the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s and is now approaching buildout. Home values and rents in the area align closely with broader Maryland benchmarks, placing this ZIP code in a range where a typical mortgage and rent both consume a meaningful share of area income. There is no walkable downtown; the built environment is suburban sprawl, and schools, parks, and civic sites are spread across separated campuses. The Surratts-Clinton Branch Library and the Surratt House Museum serve as local anchors, and Cosca Regional Park provides recreational amenities in the immediate area.
For a family, the central question at Clinton Grove Elementary is whether the school's academic supports and programs match a student's needs. The proficiency data is well below typical levels seen across the state, which is the most important fact to weigh. The school serves a high-need population in a stable suburban setting, and the district has recently invested in literacy curriculum and support staffing. Families who are considering this school would be best served by visiting, asking about specific interventions in place, and learning how the school is working to accelerate student growth.
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