The Creative and Performing Arts program at HMS has a good reputation. The program is capped at 200 kids, 7th and 8th grade only. Kids who aren't in the CPA program have some access to the arts teachers and resources, too, so even if your child is not in the CPA program, they can still benefit from it.

New principal is a winner!

That doesn't mean there isn't still room for some growth/change there, but she is working on it with brains and energy.

You would get informed answers if you posted to the neighborhood listserve http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOPE_in_Hyattsville/ I've heard that parents are hopeful about the new principal but I haven't checked in lately. I think one of the neighborhood realtors, Ann Barrett, has a child there, along with a small group of friends of elementary school. Ann would be willing to talk with you about it. http://annbarrett.lnf.com/

What do you know or what have you heard about this middle school? How competitive is the Performing Arts Program? What percentage of students at the school are in the Performing Arts program versus the rest of the school?

Is the new principal any good?