The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lake Arbor Elementary
Lake Arbor Elementary is a regular public school in Mitchellville, Maryland, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within Prince George's County Public Schools, a large district that has recently approved a budget increase for teacher salaries and student supports, adopted a new district-wide literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading, and conducted a boundary review to address overcrowding. These district-level changes could affect Lake Arbor families in coming years, though the school’s local data does not yet show direct consequences from any of them.
The school's enrollment is moderate for an elementary. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that many families have lower household incomes. The student body is predominantly Black, with small shares of Hispanic, Asian, and white students. Information on students with disabilities and English learners is missing from the data, so a parent would need to ask the school directly about those supports.
Academic performance on the state's MCAP and MISA assessments shows a pattern many families will want to examine closely. In English language arts, slightly more than a third of third graders and fifth graders scored proficient; fourth graders were lower. In mathematics, proficiency fell sharply across grades, from about a third of third graders to a small share of fifth graders. Science results for fifth graders were also low. These are single-year figures with no prior trend to compare against, so it is not possible to tell whether performance is improving or declining. The overall proficiency picture is weak, and a parent considering the school should ask what interventions and instructional strategies are in place, especially in math and science, and whether the district’s new literacy initiative has changed reading instruction at Lake Arbor.
No data is available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing ratios. That is a gap, and families often find those metrics helpful in understanding a school’s day-to-day environment. The neighbor comparison set was too small to place Lake Arbor’s results against other Prince George's County elementary schools, so there is no county-level context for its proficiency rates.
The community context of Mitchellville provides some backdrop. Homes in the zip code are valued notably higher than national medians, and rents are above average as well. The local housing market is expensive relative to typical incomes, which may be a consideration for families looking to move into the area. The unemployment rate nationally is moderate, and mortgage rates are typical of the current period.
The school offers a regular elementary program with no magnet or charter designation. It does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate. The data contains no information on academic programs such as gifted education, art, music, or before- and after-school offerings. A parent would need to contact the school directly to learn what enrichment or intervention programs exist.
In short, Lake Arbor Elementary serves a diverse, lower-income student population in a relatively expensive housing market. Its academic results are a clear concern, particularly in mathematics and science. The district is in a period of change with a new literacy curriculum and a boundary review that could affect attendance zones. Families who value a small, neighborhood elementary setting may find the school a fit, but they should seek additional information on student support services, staffing, and the school's plan for improving outcomes.
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