Public schools in Riverdale and College Park MD?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I are interested in buying a house in Riverdale Park, or College Park, MD, but are dismayed by the Maryland School Report Card Rating of the schools in that area. We have a 3 1/2 and a 1 1/2 year old and would want to send them to public school. Can anyone tell us what the "real deal" is about schools there - especially in Riverdale? I heard that there is a new Principal... any thoughts on that person? And, what about the development of the Hyattsville Arts District that is so nearby? Are there any thoughts that the influx of new people buying those townhouses will impact the quality of the schools in the area? Any information would be great.

[Anonymous]

OH, PLEASE DO NOT TRY RIVERDALE ARE THE WORSE SCHOOL I LIVE IN BRENTWOOD AND THE SCHOOL ARE REALLY BAD, THE BEST SCHOOL FOR PG COUNTY I THINK ARE COLLEGE PARK, IF YOU CAN MOVE TO COLLEGE PARK RIVERDALE IS GEETHO.

[Anonymous]

What is GEETOH?

As a Prince George's County Public School educator I offer you the same advice I offer all parents please go visit the school. Test scores can be very deceiving if you do not know the type of programs the school offers. For example in public schools Special Education students are expected to take the same high - stakes test as their grade level peers; and their scores are averaged with the other students. This means you have 3rd graders who may be functioning on a Kindergarten Level taking a 3rd grade test. Please visit the school test scores are not everything and may not paint a clear picture of what the school has to offer!!!

[Anonymous]

My family has been in Hyattsville for three years now and about one year ago began working through this as well with Hyattsville Elementary. I agree with the PP who suggested shying away from Riverdale Park (for similar and some additional reasons). We love love love Hyattsville. we did not initially LOVE it, after being in a city for 10+ years, missed the vibe, etc. BUT, now we are hesitant to look anywhere else. Ou rneighbors are phenomenal, strong neighborhood community (check out HOPE on Yahoo Groups). The development is large, but seems to have slowed a bit over the last year - perhaps our pending recession. Regardless, not what you asked. Back to schools..
Hyattsville Elementary seems to be making strides and some parents are pulling kids out of some private schools in the area and placing them in Hyattsville. The building itself is old and truly, I don't know if that is imporant at the end of the day. I have met a couple of the teachers and they are long term - I like that..my only frustration now is a call was placed to the principal about three weeks ago to talk about coming in one day (mini open house) and have yet to hear back.
Anyways - I highly recommend the 20781.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Hyattsville and the schools were pretty bad then, so bad in fact that we went to Private School. I don't beleive they have gotten much better, but I don't have much first hand knowledge of that. I agree with the other poster who said check out the school yourself. Though on another note, Hyattsville and College Park are both fairly nice areas to live in, very family oriented (unless you are really close to the U of M and then you have lots of college students renting houses), I would stay away from Riverdale entirely.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at University Park, which is between College Park and Riverdale? The town has its own elementary school that is supposed to be good. (not sure if any part of Riverdale feeds into it).