The reported proficiency rate for Science is 10%.
Original Research by School Decision on Parkdale High
Parkdale High sits in Riverdale Park, a semi-urban streetcar suburb of Prince George's County with a mix of turn-of-the-century dwellings, mid-century apartment buildings, and newer mixed-use development along Baltimore Avenue. The town is bisected by US Route 1, physically separating West Riverdale from the older core around the Riversdale mansion and its historic grid. Riverdale Park Station, anchored by a Whole Foods Market, added residential density and retail. Two Purple Line light rail stations are planned to open in 2027. The school is one of several high schools serving the town; others are Bladensburg and Northwestern.
Parkdale High is a large regular public high school serving grades nine through twelve. It is part of Prince George’s County Public Schools, a district that approved a budget increase for the current fiscal year, with additional funds directed to teacher salaries and student support. The district also launched a district-wide literacy initiative aligned with the science of reading in the 2023-2024 school year and conducted a boundary review in 2024 to address overcrowding, with changes proposed for the 2025-2026 school year. A parent considering Parkdale should be aware that attendance boundaries may shift.
The student body is diverse and predominantly Hispanic and Black, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. Enrollment is large across all four grades. Special-population counts for students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the data reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
State assessment data is limited and comes from different testing years. The most recent available result, for English language arts in the 2024-2025 school year, shows that about a third of students are meeting proficiency standards. Math and science assessments from earlier years, which were affected by changes in test design and the pandemic, indicate very low proficiency rates. Because those results are older and reflect a different assessment, they may not fully represent current performance. No graduation rate data was provided, so a parent should inquire with the school about this key outcome measure. Program offerings, such as Advanced Placement, career pathways, or dual enrollment, were also not listed in the data; families seeking specific academic tracks should follow up directly.
The housing market in the area reflects a mix of rents and home values typical of a suburban community near the University of Maryland. Housing values have been stable with a slight year-over-year dip, while rents have edged up modestly. Affordability is a consideration: the estimated mortgage payment on a median-priced home and typical rent both claim a meaningful share of the area median income. The community has seen new development and transit investment, which may shape long-term growth.
Parkdale High is a large, diverse high school in a community with ongoing development and planned transit improvements. Academic proficiency on state tests is an area of concern, with low results in math and science from earlier years and moderate ELA outcomes more recently. The absence of a graduation rate and program details means families will want to explore further with the school to understand student outcomes and course offerings. The school fits a family that values a large, diverse student body in a changing suburban setting but will want to investigate academic support and postsecondary readiness closely.
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