ENGAGE PGCPS: Three Schools Rank Among Maryland's Best! (10/26/26)
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Three PGCPS Schools Rank Among Maryland's Best!
The view from the top looks good on us.
Top Elementary Schools in Maryland:
#1 Glenarden Woods Elementary School, #2 Heather Hills Elementary School
Top Middle Schools in Maryland:
#5 Dora Kennedy French Immersion
Excellence worth celebrating. Excellence we're scaling everywhere.
Did you know PGCPS is home to Maryland’s top two elementary schools? Glenarden Woods Elementary School ranks No. 1, followed by Heather Hills Elementary School at No. 2 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. Additionally, Dora Kennedy French Immersion ranks No. 5 among Maryland’s middle schools! We’re proud to see our schools leading the state and are working to make this level of excellence the standard across PGCPS for every student, every day.
Spotlight on #TeamPGCPS Filipino Educators!
In recognition of Filipino American History Month, we celebrate our many Filipino educators whose contributions and leadership make PGCPS stronger.
Geothermal Energy in Schools: Six Reasons Why
PGCPS is exploring geothermal energy to heat and cool new schools, advancing our Climate Change Action Plan’s goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels!
Learn More about Geothermal Energy in Schools
EFMP Listening Tour: Help Plan the Future of Our Schools
PGCPS is developing a new Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP), a 10-year roadmap that will help guide decisions about our school buildings and other facilities. The plan will consider enrollment and population trends, building conditions and the changing needs of our students and communities to help establish a long-term vision for PGCPS facilities, helping the district make strategic decisions about where and how to prioritize resources over time.
Join us for a Community-Wide EFMP Listening Tour, with a session in each of the district’s nine Board of Education districts. Registration is required.
Upcoming:
- District 3 Listening Tour
- Monday, Oct. 26 | 6:00 PM @ Northwestern High School
- District 9 PGCPS Listening Tour
- Thursday, Nov. 5 | 6:00 PM @ Gwynn Park High School
View Full EFMP Listening Tour Schedule
FINAL Week to Share Your Input on the 2026 PGCPS Climate & Culture Survey
Share Your Voice. Shape PGCPS.
Take the 2026 PGCPS Climate & Culture Survey
Strong schools are built on strong partnerships with our families. We want to know how we can better support your child's learning, growth, and well-being. Please take a moment to complete the 2026 PGCPS Climate & Culture Survey before October 31.
Your input directly informs our district’s strategic plan priorities, helping us strengthen family engagement, enhance safety, and create welcoming learning environments. Once you submit your survey, we encourage you to enter the drawing for a chance to win a $200 grocery gift card powered by the Department of Family & Community Engagement (DFACE).
The survey will ask whether you agree to share your personal data. “Personal data” does not include names, email addresses, or other personally identifying information. It refers only to demographic information (e.g., school, grade, gender, race/ethnicity) used to analyze trends.
For questions about your gender or race/ethnicity, you will have the option to select "Prefer not to respond." Responses go directly to Hanover Research and cannot be linked to individual participants.
Thank you for sharing your voice with us!
Click Here to Take the 2026 PGCPS Climate & Culture Survey
Help Your Student Stay Safe Online
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we also celebrate Digital Citizenship Week from October 19th through 23rd. This is a great time to check in on how your family stays safe online. Simple practices like strong passwords, multi-factor authentication by verifying identity with a code or email, and creating private account settings go a long way. With new AI tools and phishing tactics on the rise, remind your children never to share sensitive details or personal information with AI chatbots or unverified contacts.
Visit our Online Safety Page to explore age-appropriate guides, conversation starters, activities, and tips for building healthy digital habits at home.
Dollars & Decisions Newsletter
Upcoming Events
October 19 – District 5 EFMP Listening Tour
October 21 – Specialty Programs Showcase (Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. HS, 6-8:30 p.m.)
October 21 – District 4 EFMP Listening Tour
October 22 – Special Education Career Fair
October 26 – District 3 EFMP Listening Tour