The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Stephen Decatur Middle
Stephen Decatur Middle serves sixth through eighth grade in Clinton, Maryland, as part of Prince George’s County Public Schools. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school’s enrollment is large for a middle school, and the student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with a very small share of White, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which is an indicator of the level of economic need in the community.
Clinton is an unincorporated bedroom community adjacent to Joint Base Andrews, populated largely by families who commute to Washington, D.C. and other parts of the region for work. The housing stock is suburban, the area is car-dependent, and there is no traditional downtown or walkable commercial district. The local economy is driven by public administration, education, and healthcare, with no large private employers based in the town. The area experienced rapid growth through the 2000s and has since slowed, approaching buildout with modest ongoing development. Housing values in the zip code are above the national average, and are roughly in line with the state benchmark, making it a relatively expensive part of the DC suburbs.
The academic picture at Stephen Decatur Middle is mixed, with a clear strength in one area and significant struggles in others. On state assessments, performance in English language arts is a relative bright spot: roughly a third to two-fifths of students scored at the proficient level across grades six, seven, and eight. This suggests that while many students are below grade level in reading, a meaningful portion are meeting the standard. In mathematics, however, the results are very low. Only a small fraction of students in each grade scored proficient, and by eighth grade the figure is lower still. Science and social studies results for eighth graders also show low proficiency rates. A parent considering this school should be aware that math achievement is an area of deep concern, and it would be reasonable to ask the school directly about the interventions and supports in place for students who are not meeting grade-level benchmarks in math. The school did not report data on chronic absenteeism or graduation, which is expected since this is a middle school and those metrics apply to high schools; similarly, there are no high school pathways or college readiness metrics reported here.
The district has implemented several changes that could affect families at this school. Prince George’s County Public Schools adopted a new district-wide literacy initiative in the 2023-2024 school year, shifting to evidence-based reading instruction. The district also approved a significant budget increase for the current fiscal year, directing additional funds to teacher salaries and student support services. A boundary review conducted in 2024 may lead to attendance zone changes for the 2025-2026 school year, so families should monitor whether elementary feeder patterns into this middle school could shift.
Because of the size of the comparison cohort within the county, it was not possible to rank Stephen Decatur Middle among other Prince George’s County districts on overall proficiency or absenteeism. However, the data provided paints a clear internal picture: the school serves a high-need population and shows a pronounced gap between reading and math performance. For a parent, the key question is whether the school’s literacy instruction and any targeted math supports match their child’s needs. The community context of a car-dependent suburb with heavy out-commuting and rising housing costs is also important context for any family considering a move to the attendance area.
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