The reported proficiency rate for Science is 15%.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School is a regular public high school serving grades nine through twelve in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, as part of Prince George’s County Public Schools. The school sits in the broader Greater Upper Marlboro area, outside the small incorporated town that functions as the county seat. Upper Marlboro itself is a mix of government buildings, a quiet downtown, and residential streets, while the surrounding area includes housing developments and horse farms. The district recently approved a budget increase, launched a district-wide literacy initiative aligned with the science of reading, and conducted a boundary review that may affect attendance zones, all of which are relevant to families.
Academic performance at Wise is uneven based on the most recent state testing data, which covers the 2024-2025 school year. In English language arts, roughly half of students scored at the proficient level or above. Math proficiency is notably lower: overall math results show a very small share of students meeting the mark, and separate results for Algebra I and Algebra II also show low proficiency. The school also has a single science test result from the 2020-2021 school year for eighth graders, which is out of alignment with the high school grade band and too old to be meaningful for current families. No graduation rate was available in the data; a parent may want to ask the school directly about graduation outcomes and postsecondary plans such as college enrollment or career training.
The student body is large and diverse. The majority of students are Black, and a substantial share are Hispanic, with smaller numbers of white, Asian, and multiracial students. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Special education and English learner counts were not provided, so a parent with a child in those programs may wish to confirm what supports are available. Data on discipline, attendance, and staffing were also absent from the information reviewed.
The housing market in the area reflects the broader Washington, D.C., region: home values are above the national median, and rents are elevated. The typical mortgage payment and rent both take up a sizable share of a median household income, making affordability a consideration. The town’s economy is anchored by county government, with the courthouse, administration building, and school board offices downtown. A longstanding discussion about moving the county seat to Largo adds some uncertainty about the town’s future development.
No information on Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, career and technical education, or other special programs at Wise was available. This is a significant gap: parents interested in honors tracks or career pathways should inquire directly about course offerings and program availability. The school is not a charter or magnet school. Its status as a regular public high school means it follows the district’s curriculum and policies.
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High serves a very large student population in a county seat setting with a government-centered local economy. The academic picture shows a school where English language arts results are moderate while math achievement is very low, and key metrics like graduation rate and program depth are not documented in the data a parent can easily see. A family considering this school should plan to visit, talk to current families, and ask the administration for a concrete picture of academic pathways, support services, and outcomes that the available information does not provide.
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