More schools moved up and fewer moved down in 2026 as the district records the largest single-year reduction in two-star schools.
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) recorded its strongest upward momentum in the history of the Maryland School Report Card, with 37 schools increasing their star ratings, fewer schools declining and a significant shift away from lower-performing tiers.
The results, released by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), show continued progress across the district. The number of schools earning three, four or five stars increased to 157, representing 84% of the 187 rated schools. Meanwhile, the number of two-star schools fell from 45 to 30 — the largest single-year reduction in that rating tier since the state's accountability system launched in 2018.
“More schools moved up, fewer schools moved backward and a growing number of schools are demonstrating stronger performance," said Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph. "Our next challenge is to accelerate that progress, scale excellence across the district, and reduce variance among schools. Our public promise commits us to improving mathematics and literacy. We cannot settle for pockets of excellence. We must make excellence the standard in every school, for every student, every day.”
The 2026 results mark the third consecutive year of net improvement in school star ratings, with the pace of progress accelerating.
The most significant shift occurred among two-star rated schools, as more schools moved into the three-star rating.
The number of two-star schools plunged from 45 in 2025 to 30 in 2026, a reduction of 15 schools. Sixteen elementary schools and four middle schools moved from two stars to three stars, demonstrating progress across grade levels.
At the same time, the number of four-star schools increased from 26 to 35, a gain of nine schools. The three-star category grew from 111 to 116 schools, while the number of five-star schools remained at six.
These shifts indicate that more schools are moving into higher performance tiers, with fewer schools concentrated in the lower end of the rating system. The district’s continued focus is to sustain this growth, accelerate improvement and ensure that progress reaches every school community.
Five-star: 6 schools
Four-star: 35 schools
Three-star: 116 schools
Two-star: 30 schools
One-star: 0 schools
The six five-star schools are César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion (new for 2026), Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College, Dora Kennedy French Immersion, Glenarden Woods Elementary, Heather Hills Elementary and Robert Goddard Montessori.
The Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College maintained its five-star rating for the seventh consecutive year.
Elementary schools drove much of the district's upward movement, with 29 schools improving their ratings. Sixteen advanced from two stars to three, 12 moved from three stars to four, and one moved from four stars to five. At the elementary level, major gains were also recorded in chronic absenteeism, English learners' progress toward English proficiency and Science MCAP proficiency.
Middle schools also recorded gains, with Buck Lodge, Charles Carroll, Stephen Decatur and Walker Mill middle schools advancing from two stars to three. At the middle school level, the strongest gains were in math student growth percentile, access to a well-rounded curriculum and student survey results.
Four high schools maintained the rating increases achieved last year, while no additional high schools advanced in star ratings in 2026. Despite unchanged star ratings, high schools showed improvement in Math MCAP scores and student survey results.
The district's upward momentum is also reflected in fewer schools experiencing declines. Thirteen schools saw their star ratings decrease, down from 20 in 2025, while 37 schools improved their ratings.
The district will continue analyzing school-level data to identify effective practices, target support and accelerate improvement across all school levels.
The Maryland School Report Card measures school performance using multiple indicators, including academic achievement, academic progress, graduation rates, English language proficiency, readiness for postsecondary success, and school quality and student success. The indicators used vary by school level.
Schools receive between one and five stars based on the percentage of points earned across the applicable indicators. The ratings provide one measure of school performance and should be considered alongside other information about student achievement, growth and school climate.
For more information and to view school-level data, visit reportcard.msde.maryland.gov.
