The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Paint Branch Elementary
Paint Branch Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in College Park, as a regular public school within Prince George's County Public Schools. The school is not a charter or magnet school. Its enrollment is large for an elementary school serving these grades, drawing from the surrounding residential neighborhoods of a city that is deeply shaped by the University of Maryland campus, a growing research and business district, and significant ongoing development.
The student body is notably diverse. Hispanic or Latino students make up the largest share, followed by Asian students and then Black or African American students. White students and those identifying with two or more races constitute smaller portions, with very small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students represented. A substantial majority of students come from households facing economic need, as indicated by the share qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.
State testing results for the most recent school year, from Maryland’s MCAP assessments in English language arts and math, along with the MISA science test for fifth graders, show that proficiency rates across all three subjects and all tested grade levels were low. In English language arts, the percentage of students scoring proficient or above was below a third in third grade and declined in fourth and fifth grades. Math proficiency rates were lower across the board, starting around a third in third grade but falling sharply in fourth and fifth grades. Science proficiency for fifth graders was similarly low. These results represent a single year of data, so no trend is available to indicate whether performance is improving or declining. The school itself serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
A parent looking at these outcomes will want to investigate what academic supports and interventions the school offers. The district has in recent years implemented a district-wide literacy initiative aligned with the science of reading, which is a lasting curriculum shift that affects how elementary students are taught to read. Whether this initiative is fully in place at Paint Branch and how it is reflected in the most recent test scores would be a useful question for the school.
The school’s setting in College Park places it in a community that blends a major public university, established single-family-home neighborhoods, and a fast-growing commercial and research corridor. The University of Maryland is the dominant economic force, and the city’s civic and university life are closely intertwined, with joint facilities and a shared downtown area. Walkability and transit access are improving through infrastructure projects like the reconstruction of Baltimore Avenue and the planned Purple Line light rail, which will add multiple stops in the city. Housing costs in the area are above the national median, reflecting the desirability of the location near the university and employment centers. The rental market is similarly priced, and a typical household would face a notable share of income going toward rent.
The district has approved a significant operating budget increase, with additional funding directed to teacher salaries and student support services. A boundary review conducted recently may result in attendance zone changes for the upcoming school year, which is something families should track if they are considering buying or renting in this area with a specific school assignment in mind. Overall, Paint Branch Elementary serves a diverse and economically varied student population, with academic performance that is a clear area of concern and a surrounding community that is dynamic, growing, and well-connected.
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