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#903 of 1,363 schools in MD

G. James Gholson Middle

Middle School · Prince George's County Public Schools

900 Nalley Rd, Landover, MD 20785

Enrollment

749

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#903 of 1,363

In Landover

#7 of 12

public schools

In district

#86 of 194

Prince George's County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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G. James Gholson Middle

5.5/10

Middle School in Landover · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cora L. Rice Elementary

4.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

William Paca Elementary

5.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About G. James Gholson Middle

G. James Gholson Middle is a public middle school in Landover, MD, part of Prince George's County Public Schools. G.

James Gholson Middle serves approximately 749 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. G. James Gholson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #903 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for G. James Gholson Middle show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at G. James Gholson Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

G. James Gholson Middle runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

49% of students at G. James Gholson Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.1 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment1.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,789
Chronic Absenteeism48.9%

G. James Gholson Middle — Students at G. James Gholson Middle score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 14.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 32.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
30%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
31%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
4%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
2%
ELA
18%
2025
Math
6.3%
ELA
23%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How G. James Gholson Middle Compares

See how G. James Gholson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in MD
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

900 Nalley Rd, Landover, MD 20785

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering G. James Gholson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kenmoor Middle (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walker Mill Middle (rated 6.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Capitol Heights), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Landover, see our Landover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Cora L. Rice Elementary Landover 0.0 mi 4.3
William Paca Elementary Landover 0.6 mi 5.5
Judith P. Hoyer Montessori Landover 0.7 mi 7.9
Carmody Hills Elementary Capitol Heights 0.8 mi 4.2
HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Landover 0.9 mi 7.0
Columbia Park Elementary Landover 1.1 mi 5.9
Highland Park Elementary Landover 1.0 mi 2.8
Thomas G. Pullen Landover 1.1 mi 7.8
Templeton Elementary Landover 1.6 mi 4.6
FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER THE Landover 1.3 mi 6.2
Fairmont Heights High Landover 1.5 mi 4.9
Kenmoor Middle Landover 1.7 mi 7.6
Central High Capitol Heights 1.7 mi 4.1
Kenmoor Early Childhood Center Landover 1.8 mi 5.6
Walker Mill Middle Capitol Heights 1.9 mi 6.4
Judge Sylvania W. Woods Sr. Elementary Glenarden 2.1 mi 4.9
Dodge Park Elementary Landover 2.1 mi 4.0
John H. Bayne Elementary Capitol Heights 2.2 mi 3.2
Seat Pleasant Elementary Capital Heights 1.7 mi 3.2
GENESIS CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Glenarden 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20785 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,690

Median Home Value

$346,000

Median Rent

$1,764/mo

Population

40,946

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

50.1%

Avg Commute

34 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Francis Scott Key Middle Silver Spring, MD 5.5
MacArthur Middle Fort Meade, MD 5.5
North East Middle North East, MD 5.5
Northwest Academy of Health Sciences Baltimore, MD 5.5
Windsor Mill Middle Baltimore, MD 5.5
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick, MD 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about G. James Gholson Middle

What grades does G. James Gholson Middle serve?

G. James Gholson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend G. James Gholson Middle?

G. James Gholson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 749 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at G. James Gholson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at G. James Gholson Middle is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does G. James Gholson Middle rank in MD?

G. James Gholson Middle ranks #903 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is G. James Gholson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

G. James Gholson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at G. James Gholson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, G. James Gholson Middle has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is G. James Gholson Middle a charter school?

No, G. James Gholson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is G. James Gholson Middle a Title I school?

No, G. James Gholson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for G. James Gholson Middle?

86.5% of students at G. James Gholson Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Prince George's County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.9%

District

Prince George's County Public Schools
District Enrollment
131,310
Schools in District
199
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,789
District Rank
#86 of 194

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