New High School Groundbreaking Tops Long List Of Projects For PGCPS

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — As the second largest school system in the state, Prince George's County Public Schools also has the second-oldest batch of buildings in Maryland. More than half of the 208 schools are more than 50 years old.

Under the school system’s capital improvement program, 10 schools will be under construction in the next four years: Suitland, Adelphi, Walker Mill, Drew-Freeman, Hyattsville, Kenmoor, Glenridge and William Wirt middle schools; the new Colin L. Powell K-8 Academy and the just completed Cherokee Lane Elementary School. A second phase of schools to be built under the alternative financing model also is planned.

Built in 1951, the existing 344,875-square-foot Suitland High School campus will be completely replaced. Prince George's County Public Schools recently broke ground on a new facility. The current high school also houses the Center for Visual and Performing Arts and Career Technical Education programs with enrollment at approximately 2,500 students.

The new 389,108-square foot school is expected to open in 2026 and serve an estimated 2,000 students, including 500 CVPA students. The new facility will house the high school and the CVPA programs only. The CTE programs will be relocated to Crossland High School starting this fall, which will be designated as the new southern CTE hub.

“Suitland High School is where students walk across the stage on graduation day and into higher learning and the global economy. It is the home of our acclaimed Center for Visual and Performing Arts whose alumni have gone on to perform on stages worldwide,” Dr. Monica Goldson, PGCPS chief executive officer, said. “It is where some of our most talented athletes run across our fields. It is time that Suitland has a school building that can keep up with the breadth of our students’ dreams.”

Designed by Cox Graae & Spack Architects, the new school project also features a commitment to community investment from the project’s construction management team Turner-Corenic, including scholarships, student internships, mentoring opportunities and alumni outreach. Corenic, specifically, is committed to ensuring wide minority-owned business participation in the Suitland High School project.

“We are Prince George’s Proud that our school system can be a model for the nation in school construction as we work to replace our aging infrastructure,” Angela Alsobrooks, county executive, said. “Greatness grows in Prince George’s County and our bright and talented children deserve high-quality learning environments that are befitting of their dignity. We are making the critical investments needed to help develop our county’s next generation of leaders.”