The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Marlton Elementary
Marlton Elementary is a regular public school in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Prince George’s County Public Schools, one of the larger districts in the state. The school’s enrollment is modest for an elementary school, and its student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. Data on the number of students with individualized education programs or English learner status was not available from the sources reviewed.
Academic performance at Marlton Elementary, as measured by Maryland’s state assessments (MCAP for math and English language arts, and MISA for science), shows low proficiency rates across tested grades. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above in third, fourth, and fifth grade is well below what a parent would expect from a typical elementary school in the state. In English language arts, proficiency rates are somewhat higher but still low, with about a third of students meeting the benchmark in fourth and fifth grade. Fifth-grade science results are similarly low. Only one year of assessment data was reported, so no trend can be described. A parent may want to ask the school about specific supports and interventions in place to raise achievement.
The school offers a standard elementary curriculum for its grade band; no specialized programs, magnet designations, or career pathways were listed in the available records. Information on staffing ratios, chronic absenteeism, discipline, and course access was also missing from the data, so those areas cannot be characterized.
Upper Marlboro, where Marlton Elementary is located, is a small incorporated town that serves as the county seat of Prince George’s County. Its downtown is compact and walkable, centered on Main Street with the county courthouse, administration building, and board of education offices. Residential neighborhoods west of downtown consist mostly of single-family homes. The broader area, often called Greater Upper Marlboro, is much larger—a sprawling mix of suburban developments and horse farms that requires a car to get around. The town itself has seen little population growth, while the surrounding unincorporated area is experiencing new housing construction. A long-standing discussion about relocating the county seat to Largo adds uncertainty to the town’s future. Home values in the zip code area sit above the state median, though they have seen a slight recent decline, while rents have been rising. The cost of housing may be a factor for families considering the area.
At the district level, Prince George’s County Public Schools has recently approved a budget increase directed toward teacher salaries and student support. The district also implemented a system-wide literacy initiative in recent years, adopting an evidence-based reading curriculum. Additionally, a boundary review was conducted to address overcrowding, with changes proposed for the upcoming school year. These district actions could affect Marlton Elementary’s staffing, instruction, and attendance zone.
Marlton Elementary is a neighborhood school serving a high-poverty population in a stable but modest government-centered town. The academic results are low compared to state averages, and a parent interested in this school would benefit from learning directly from the school about its improvement efforts, instructional approaches, and what resources are available to support students. The school’s small size and regular public-school format provide a standard elementary experience, but the test scores suggest that many students would benefit from additional academic support both at school and at home.
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