Mt Rainier Elementary, Mt Rainier MD

Original Research by School Decision on Mt Rainier Elementary

Mount Rainier Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the small, historic streetcar suburb of Mount Rainier, Maryland. The school is part of Prince George’s County Public Schools, a large district that has recently approved a budget increase for teacher salaries and student support, adopted a new evidence-based literacy curriculum for its elementary schools, and conducted a boundary review that may affect attendance zones.

The school’s enrollment is notably diverse. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and a smaller share of white students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a metric that reflects the economic context of the community. The school serves a large share of students who come from families with lower household incomes, a characteristic shared with many schools in the area. The town itself is a compact, walkable community with a mix of early 20th-century Sears homes and Craftsman bungalows, and it is a recognized part of the Gateway Arts District.

On Maryland’s state assessments, Mount Rainier Elementary’s proficiency rates are low. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above in third grade was modest, and it dropped notably in both fourth and fifth grade. In English language arts, the rates were somewhat higher than in math but still within a low range. On the fifth-grade science assessment, the proficiency rate was very low. A parent would want to look into these results further with the school to understand the specific academic support and intervention programs in place, and how the school’s approach aligns with the district’s new literacy initiative.

Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The data did not include information on special education or English learner populations, which are common factors in understanding student support at a school like this. No information was available on the school’s magnet or Title I status, staffing levels, or discipline rates.

The housing market in the area shows home values around the midpoint for the state, and rents are similarly positioned. The combination of a moderately priced housing market, access to Metro and bus lines, and a tight-knit, arts-oriented community may appeal to families who value walkability and a historic, diverse setting. The district’s boundary review is a practical consideration; families should confirm their assigned school if they are moving into the area.

This is a school where the academic performance numbers are a clear concern. The low proficiency rates across all tested subjects and grades are a soft spot that a family would want to investigate directly. The school’s strength lies in its community context: a small, historic town with a lively arts district and good transit access to Washington, D.C., served by a large district that is investing in curriculum and staffing. Whether the school fits a family will depend heavily on their assessment of the academic support and enrichment available within the building and their own priorities for their child’s early learning.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 320%

School 20% · district not reported

▼ 18 pts below state median · ▼ 1 pts below county median

Grade 48%

School 8% · district not reported

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 3 pts below county median

Grade 56%

School 6% · district not reported

▼ 15 pts below state median · ▼ 4 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 318%

School 18% · district not reported

▼ 28 pts below state median · ▼ 14 pts below county median

Grade 426%

School 26% · district not reported

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 5 pts below county median

Grade 530%

School 30% · district not reported

▼ 10 pts below state median · ▲ 1 pts above county median

Science

Grade 54%

School 4% · district not reported

▼ 15 pts below state median · ▼ 6 pts below county median

This schoolPrince George's County Public Schools, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 4Lower-income18%Higher-income11%8 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income39%Higher-income28%11 pp gap