Below Average
#1287 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
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Landover
#12 of 12
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#212 of 224
In district
#183 of 194
Prince George's County Public Schools
About G. James Gholson Middle
G. James Gholson Middle serves grades six through eight in Landover, Maryland, within Prince George's County's large suburban area. The school enrolls 749 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.8 to one, with 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, the school is currently facing significant challenges. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks in the fifth percentile among Maryland schools. Standardized test performance indicates considerable room for growth: English Language Arts shows 18 percent of students meeting proficiency benchmarks, while mathematics proficiency stands at four percent.
These results suggest the school is working to strengthen its instructional programs and student outcomes. As a regular public middle school in a suburban setting, G. James Gholson serves as an important educational resource for families in its community.
Parents considering this school may want to explore what academic support services and initiatives are in place, and to connect directly with school leadership to learn about any recent or planned improvements to classroom instruction and student achievement.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at G. James Gholson Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at G. James Gholson Middle is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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G. James Gholson Middle — Students at G. James Gholson Middle score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.4/10.
How G. James Gholson Middle Compares
See how G. James Gholson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 6.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 19% (2019) to 21% (2025).
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 6.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walker Mill Middle (rated 5.1/10, 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 | 8.0 |
| William Paca Elementary Landover | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Judith P. Hoyer Montessori Landover | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Carmody Hills Elementary Capitol Heights | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Landover | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Columbia Park Elementary Landover | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Highland Park Elementary Landover | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Thomas G. Pullen Landover | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Templeton Elementary Landover | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER THE Landover | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairmont Heights High Landover | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Kenmoor Middle Landover | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Central High Capitol Heights | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Kenmoor Early Childhood Center Landover | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Walker Mill Middle Capitol Heights | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Judge Sylvania W. Woods Sr. Elementary Glenarden | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Dodge Park Elementary Landover | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| John H. Bayne Elementary Capitol Heights | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Seat Pleasant Elementary Capital Heights | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding G. James Gholson Middle has a median household income of $83,690. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $346,000, with a median rent of $1,764/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Matthew Henson Middle School Indian Head, MD | 4.2 |
| Middle River Middle Baltimore, MD | 4.2 |
| Oklahoma Road Middle Sykesville, MD | 4.3 |
| General Smallwood Middle School Indian Head, MD | 4.1 |
| Rising Sun Middle School Rising Sun, MD | 4.1 |
| Crestwood Middle Frederick, MD | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #1287 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is G. James Gholson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
G. James Gholson Middle has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at G. James Gholson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, G. James Gholson Middle has 3.8% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- Phone
- (301) 883-8390
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Prince George's County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 131,310
- Schools in District
- 199
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,789
- District Rank
- #183 of 194
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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