Celebrating the Power of Partnership: PGCPS Honors Community Champions at Annual Partnership Breakfast

This June, PGCPS welcomed more than 100 community partners, business leaders, faith-based organizations, mentors, fraternities and sororities, and nonprofit supporters to its Annual Partnership Breakfast at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

Organized by the PGCPS Office of Community Partnerships, this annual event serves as both a celebration and a call to action – recognizing the extraordinary contributions of community partners while reaffirming the collective commitment to ensuring every student in Prince George’s County has the support, opportunities, and resources needed to thrive.

A Village Working Together

Community partnerships have long been a cornerstone of student success. From providing food, clothing, backpacks, and school supplies to supporting special events, mentoring programs, career readiness initiatives, arts education, health and wellness programs, and athletic opportunities, partners help create the village that surrounds and uplifts students both inside and outside the classroom.

Their impact is evident across the district. During the 2025–26 school year, PGCPS has seen declines in both chronic absenteeism and suspension rates – encouraging indicators of the positive outcomes that result when schools, families, and community organizations work together toward common goals.

“Education is a collective endeavor,” said Dr. Sheila Jackson, Director of the Department of Family and Community Partnerships. “Together, we are shaping a future where all students receive a quality education that prepares them for success.”

Facing the Challenge Together

While the breakfast celebrated achievements, it also highlighted the urgent work that remains ahead.

Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph challenged attendees to confront a sobering reality: only about half of students in grades 3-8 are currently reading on grade level, and just 5.6% are proficient in mathematics.

“These numbers do not define our children,” he emphasized. “Our children are brilliant, gifted, and full of promise. But these numbers do call us to account.”

The superintendent described literacy and mathematics as fundamental civil rights issues, noting that reading provides access to voice, opportunity, and freedom, while mathematics opens doors to technology, problem-solving, financial empowerment, and future careers.

Forward by Design: A Promise to Students

At the center of the district’s vision is Forward by Design, PGCPS’ new three-year strategic plan focused on strengthening student outcomes through intentional, focused action.

Community partners play a critical role in that vision, particularly through the strategic priority of Family and Community Partnerships. However, district leaders stressed that partner contributions extend across every priority area.

To accelerate student achievement, PGCPS is calling on partners to expand opportunities that support literacy and mathematics, including:

• Reading tutors and mentoring programs
• Family literacy nights
• Summer reading initiatives
• Book drives featuring high-quality texts
• Math mentors and after-school support programs
• STEM learning experiences
• Family numeracy nights
• Real-world learning opportunities that help students see themselves as readers, mathematicians, innovators, and leaders

“We need partners who will help us surround children with reading and math support,” district leaders said. “When students are engaged, supported, and connected, they are positioned for success.”

Celebrating Impact Across the County

The breakfast also spotlighted the remarkable achievements of several community partners whose work is changing lives across Prince George’s County.

Among those recognized were organizations investing in STEM education to improve attendance and engagement, long-standing institutional partners helping more than a thousand first-generation students access higher education opportunities, and organizations providing driver education, public safety training, scholarships, and pathways to independence for young people.

These stories exemplify what is possible when an entire community refuses to stand on the sidelines.

Whether through one of the district’s more than 50 Adopt-A-School partnerships or through formal partnership agreements, community supporters continue to help ensure that belonging is more than a slogan in Prince George’s County – it is a lived experience.

A Call to Action

As the event concluded, attendees were encouraged to leave not only appreciated, but inspired.

“Choose a school. Choose a reading goal. Choose a math need. Choose a child.”

The message was clear: the future of Prince George’s County students depends on collective action, shared responsibility, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential.

Forward by Design is more than a strategic plan – it is a promise.

And with the continued support of dedicated community partners, PGCPS is moving forward with purpose, courage, and a commitment to educational justice for all students.

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Resources

• More Info on Community Partnerships
• Adopt-A-School Program
• Donate, Partner, or Volunteer – Inquiry Form