Original Research by School Decision on International High School @ Largo
International High School @ Largo 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 is located in a small incorporated town that functions as the county seat, a place where government and civic institutions line the downtown streets alongside local businesses and a lake with a walking path. The broader Greater Upper Marlboro area stretches across many square miles, with housing developments and horse farms creating a mix of suburban and rural settings. The county’s Board of Education offices are a short walk from Main Street, but the school itself sits on Largo Road, an area that reflects the ongoing discussions about whether the county seat might one day relocate to Largo.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a much smaller share of Asian students, a modest number of Black students, and a very small number of White students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, placing the school in a community with significant economic need. Enrollment counts for students with individualized education programs and for English learners were not available in the data provided, so a family may want to ask the school directly about the level of special education and language support services.
State assessment results are limited. For the most recent year with reported data, the proficiency rate in English language arts was below a quarter of students tested. In math and science, proficiency results were suppressed, meaning the numbers were too small to report publicly. Because only one year of tested data is available, it is not possible to draw any trend line. A parent looking to understand how students perform here compared to other high schools in the district should be aware that the comparison report was unable to calculate a proficiency index because the school’s own data was missing for key subjects. No graduation rate is in the record, so there is no way to assess how many students finish in four years.
The school is part of Prince George’s County Public Schools, a large district that has recently directed funding toward teacher salaries and student support services through an increased operating budget. The district has also adopted a new literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading, a change that will affect how younger students are taught but may also influence how high school reading instruction is approached. A recent boundary review aimed at addressing overcrowding and building use may lead to changes in school assignments for some families, though it is unclear whether this school would be directly affected.
Housing values in the area are above the national median, and rents have risen over the past year, which may matter for families weighing the cost of living against school options. The town’s atmosphere shifts noticeably between government business hours and quieter evenings, and the surrounding area is car-dependent, with the nearest Washington Metro station a drive away in the Largo area.
International High School @ Largo serves a relatively small high school population. Many students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The available academic data is thin, making it difficult to form a clear picture of overall student performance. A family considering this school would want to visit, talk to staff about curriculum offerings and student outcomes, and ask directly about the programs and supports that matter most to them, since the public record does not yet provide a full account.
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