PGCPS Gets International Recognition

Prince George’s County Schools Championed For Pioneering School Financing Model

The plan went well beyond just having a big picture in mind. It led to several international best-in-class awards earned by Prince George’s County Public Schools’ (PGCPS) for its Blueprint Schools model to build six new schools by July 2023.

These awards come off the recent groundbreakings for all six schools, including Adelphi, Drew-Freeman, Hyattsville, Kenmoor and Walker Mill middle schools and a new K-8 academy in Fort Washington.

Prince George’s County Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson said the PGCPS Blueprint Schools model for building six new schools was named Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year and Best Deal in North America, Editor’s Choice by infrastructure finance industry leader I Global. While it typically takes seven years from planning to building a school, the alternative financing model cuts that time in half to deliver long overdue schools. The project is also a P3 Awards finalist for 2021 Social Infrastructure Project of the Year.

“I have no doubt that other school systems in Maryland and beyond will look to Prince George’s County with admiration and inspiration for moving one step closer to ensuring that every child achieves their highest potential in modern school buildings,” said Dr. Goldson. “This is our blueprint for bold action, for fierce urgency, and as we will see on the first day of school two years from now, for success.”

PGCPS, the nation’s 20th largest school district, formed the Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners (PGCECP), a consortium including Fengate Asset Management, Gilbane Development Company, Gilbane Building Company, Stantec and Honeywell. This group is contractually committed to design, build, finance and maintain the schools. As the second-largest school system in the state, PGCPS has the second-oldest buildings in Maryland. More than half of the 208 schools are over 50 years old. Coupled with the school system’s capital improvement program, a total of nine schools will be under construction over the next three years.