My kid just started NWHS in the Visual and Performing Arts program.
Their observation is that in the honors classes and the classes they have in the VPA program, the kids are focused and the teachers are good. But they suspect that that isn't the case in parts of the school.
I guess some kids just ignore the uniform and general PGCPS dress code and there are kids that are just disruptive in the hallways.
My kid seems to have found their people and aren't worried but someone coming from a small private school would probably have a hard time.
So far the academic standard in the honors courses seem a bit lower than the TAG middle school program they were in last year but time will tell if that is the case the rest of the year.
Class sizes in the VPA and honors classes seem reasonable though (~25 kids)

One hidden gem about PGCPS that people don't talk about much is that the instrumental music program is REALLY strong in public high schools.

ERHS (my kid went there) is also a comprehensive locally zoned high school in addition to housing the magnet program, and there are a bunch of different opportunities for everyone who wants to play an instrument.

Northwestern (which we were zoned for) also has a lot for students to do and find themselves and their people.

Our neighborhood cohort went to both, as well as local privates, and all had their plusses and minuses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The magnet schools and special programs have already been mentioned; there is also College Park Academy which incorporates a good deal of online learning (on site at the school) into their program. There is a straightforward lottery for that program. The others I believe require some combination of test scores (PSAT) plus grades to qualify for a spot. I know ERHS has more people interested than they have spots available, not sure about demand/supply for the other programs.

As far as nonreligious private, you will have to deal with a commute. DeMatha (boys) and Seton (girls) are the closest to this area, but they are Catholic. Most other privates require travel to DC or Montgomery County. I know that Sandy Spring Friends School has a bus from our area, not sure about the other privates.

CPA is very hard to get into after 6th grade. I put my kid in the lottery for 9th grade and they made it to 152 on the waitlist. A certain number of seats are set aside for the immediate area around the school but I don't know what the proportion that is.
Entrance to ERHS and Duvall is 7th grade + first quarter of 8th grade GPS and PSAT scores. Entrance to IB is either by TAG continuity or application, 3D program is application based.

This is mostly true. Your post says Hyattsville/College Park. There are actually two lists. If your address feeds into a school for College Park schools, there is some priority for entrance to College Park Academy. I think the set aside is 30% for College Park area.

Anonymous wrote:The magnet schools and special programs have already been mentioned; there is also College Park Academy which incorporates a good deal of online learning (on site at the school) into their program. There is a straightforward lottery for that program. The others I believe require some combination of test scores (PSAT) plus grades to qualify for a spot. I know ERHS has more people interested than they have spots available, not sure about demand/supply for the other programs.

As far as nonreligious private, you will have to deal with a commute. DeMatha (boys) and Seton (girls) are the closest to this area, but they are Catholic. Most other privates require travel to DC or Montgomery County. I know that Sandy Spring Friends School has a bus from our area, not sure about the other privates.

CPA is very hard to get into after 6th grade. I put my kid in the lottery for 9th grade and they made it to 152 on the waitlist. A certain number of seats are set aside for the immediate area around the school but I don't know what the proportion that is.
Entrance to ERHS and Duvall is 7th grade + first quarter of 8th grade GPS and PSAT scores. Entrance to IB is either by TAG continuity or application, 3D program is application based.

The magnet schools and special programs have already been mentioned; there is also College Park Academy which incorporates a good deal of online learning (on site at the school) into their program. There is a straightforward lottery for that program. The others I believe require some combination of test scores (PSAT) plus grades to qualify for a spot. I know ERHS has more people interested than they have spots available, not sure about demand/supply for the other programs.

As far as nonreligious private, you will have to deal with a commute. DeMatha (boys) and Seton (girls) are the closest to this area, but they are Catholic. Most other privates require travel to DC or Montgomery County. I know that Sandy Spring Friends School has a bus from our area, not sure about the other privates.

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to the Hyattsville/College Park area. Can anyone speak to public and/or [non-religious] private high school options? Thanks!

There are several good magnet programs in the area Science and Tech at ERHS, Aerospace at Duvall, 3D Program at Flowers and IB program at Parkdale. ERHS is the most well known but the other programs as solid as well.

The comprehensive program at ERHS is supposed to be good as well if you happen to be in boundary.

Large parts of Hyattsville is zoned for Northwestern High school. My kid is headed there next year for the arts magnet which is supposed to be good. I don't know anything about the schools comprehensive program. PGCPS also has an online academy if that is something your child would do well in.

Private schools that folks go to are McNamara, Elizabeth Seton, Bishop McNamara, St. Vincent's,

My friends that live in university park have sent their kids to Roosevelt (the magnet school).

We are considering a move to the Hyattsville/College Park area. Can anyone speak to public and/or [non-religious] private high school options? Thanks!