The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Fort Foote Elementary
Fort Foote Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Fort Washington, an unincorporated suburban community in Prince George's County, Maryland. It is part of Prince George's County Public Schools, a large countywide district that is the sole school system in the county. The school sits in a primarily residential area along the Potomac River, about twenty miles south of Washington, D.C., in a community that is car-dependent and lacks a traditional downtown or walkable commercial center.
The student body is diverse and predominantly composed of students who identify as Hispanic and Black, together making up the large majority of enrollment. The remainder of the population includes students who are Asian, white, and of other backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which indicates that many families face economic need. The school's size is modest for an elementary school in this grade band. No data was available on the share of students with individualized education programs or those classified as English learners, so those dimensions of student support are not described here.
Academically, state testing results from the most recent school year show that proficiency rates across tested grades and subjects are below the levels a parent might hope to see. In mathematics, the proportion of students scoring proficient or above varied by grade but was low overall, with one grade particularly weak. In English language arts, results were somewhat higher but still indicate that a majority of students are not meeting the state's proficiency standard in any grade. Science results at fifth grade also point to a majority of students scoring below the proficient mark. Only one year of achievement data was available, so no trend can be examined; a parent may want to ask the school about how these results compare to prior years and what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting benchmarks.
Fort Washington is a mature, stable suburban area with home values that are above both the state and national averages. Rent levels are also high, and the cost of housing takes up a meaningful share of typical household income. The community has seen slow population growth in recent years and is largely built out with single-family homes. Employment opportunities are limited within the CDP itself, and most residents commute to jobs in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, or other parts of the Maryland suburbs.
The district has made several changes that may affect families at Fort Foote. It approved a budget increase directed toward teacher salaries and student support services, and it implemented a district-wide literacy initiative aligned with the science of reading, which shapes how reading is taught at all elementary schools. A boundary review was also conducted to address overcrowding, with proposed changes for a recent school year, so families should confirm current attendance boundaries.
This is a school where academic proficiency rates are relatively low across multiple subjects and grades, which may be a concern for families seeking strong early academic foundations. The school serves a largely low-income and diverse student population in an expensive suburban housing market. Given the absence of information on special education services, English learner support, or chronic absenteeism, a parent may want to contact the school directly to learn about intervention programs, class sizes, and how the school addresses the needs of students who are not yet meeting state standards.
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