The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Princeton Elementary
Princeton Elementary sits in Suitland, a residential suburban community in Prince George's County that grew rapidly after World War II to house federal workers. The school itself is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, typical in size for its grade band. Its student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with smaller numbers of Asian, white, and multiracial students. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which reflects the economic realities of the surrounding area.
On the Maryland state assessments, the performance picture is one of low proficiency rates across subjects and grades. In reading, the proportion of students scoring proficient or above varies by grade, with the highest share in third grade, where roughly a third of students met the bar. Fourth-grade reading results are notably lower, and fifth-grade reading sits between the two. In math, proficient rates are in the single digits or low double digits across all tested grades, and fifth-grade science results are similarly low. These numbers indicate that a large majority of students are entering middle school below grade-level expectations, and families considering this school may want to ask about the specific interventions and supports available to accelerate learning. The district recently launched a system-wide literacy initiative aligned with the science of reading, which represents a curriculum shift that could affect how reading is taught at Princeton Elementary going forward.
No data were available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, or the share of students with disabilities or English learner status, so those aspects of school environment cannot be assessed from the information provided. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Because the comparison set within Prince George's County was too small to produce a meaningful benchmark, it is not possible to say how this school stacks up against its closest neighbors; the numbers here stand on their own.
The community surrounding Princeton Elementary is shaped by the Suitland Federal Center, which concentrates major federal agencies including the Census Bureau, National Archives, NOAA, and Smithsonian facilities. These institutions anchor the local economy, but the built environment is auto-oriented, with limited walkability and no traditional downtown. The Washington Metro's Green Line provides transit access at stations nearby, and revitalization efforts such as the Buy Suitland homebuyer incentive program and the Green Suitland neighborhood stabilization project signal active attempts to strengthen the area. Housing values in the zip code are below both state and national benchmarks, and rents are moderate relative to income, making the area potentially more accessible for homebuyers.
The district, Prince George's County Public Schools, approved a recent operating budget increase directed toward teacher salaries and student support, and a boundary review is underway that could affect attendance zones for the 2025-2026 school year. Families should be aware that redistricting may change which elementary school a child is assigned to.
Princeton Elementary is a school where the student body reflects a high level of economic need and where state assessment results point to a majority of students not yet meeting grade-level proficiency in reading, math, or science. A parent whose child requires strong academic intervention or who values a small neighborhood school in a community with federal employment stability and ongoing revitalization may find this environment appropriate, but the academic challenges outlined here warrant a direct conversation with the school about what remedial and enrichment programs are actually in place.
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