The reported proficiency rate for Science is 11%.
Original Research by School Decision on Laurel High
Laurel High is a regular public high school in Prince George’s County, serving grades nine through twelve. It is a large school by enrollment, and its student body is nearly evenly split between Black and Hispanic students, with a smaller share of White, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school sits in the city of Laurel, a largely residential community that grew from a 19th-century mill town into an early commuter hub for Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. The city maintains a historic Main Street district, and the original high school building now serves as a community center and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A MARC train station connects the town to both Baltimore and Washington. The civic landscape includes the free Laurel Museum, a research library, and a nearby fossil park known for its Cretaceous dinosaur discoveries.
State testing data for the most recent year shows that in English language arts, roughly half of students scored at the proficient level, a figure that places this school in a more challenging position relative to many others. In math, the proficiency rate was markedly lower, and in science, it was lower still. These results come from a single year of assessment data, so there is no trend line to indicate whether performance is improving or declining. A parent may want to ask the school about its academic supports and how it is working to lift performance in math and science.
The school also has an algebra I proficiency result that matches the overall math figure, suggesting that even introductory high school math is an area of difficulty for many students. On the positive side, given that this is a comprehensive high school within a large district, families can expect a range of course offerings, including Advanced Placement and career and technical education pathways that are typical of a school of this size and district affiliation. The specific program offerings at Laurel High, however, were not available in the data, so a parent should confirm directly with the school which pathways exist.
The district, Prince George’s County Public Schools, has taken several steps that affect Laurel High families. It approved a recent operating budget increase directed toward teacher salaries and student support, which can influence class sizes and staffing. It also adopted a new evidence-based literacy curriculum, though this primarily affects elementary grades. Of note, the district conducted a boundary review in 2024 to address overcrowding and school utilization, with changes proposed for the following school year. Any redistricting could affect Laurel High’s future attendance zone, so a family considering the area should check whether boundary changes are pending that would alter which high school their child would attend.
The housing market in the area shows a typical home value near the national median. Rents have been rising modestly. Monthly mortgage payments and rent both eat a significant share of a typical household income, consistent with broader regional affordability pressures.
Laurel High does not have readily available data on discipline, attendance, or staff-to-student ratios, and information on special education and English learner populations was also absent from the data. These gaps mean that a parent assessing the school’s environment and support systems will need to gather that information directly from the school or district.
For a family considering this school, the core picture is a large, diverse high school in an established commuter city with strong regional transit links. The academic performance data points to a school where many students are below state benchmarks, especially in math and science, but where roughly half of students reach proficiency in English. The school belongs to a large district that is actively investing in teacher compensation and addressing facility challenges. The missing details on programs and school climate make it worth a deeper look, particularly for a family with a student who has specific academic or support needs.
See more original research from School Decision →