Education And Health
28 Prince George’s County Schools Named Among America’s Healthiest
Prince George’s County Public Schools has emerged as Maryland’s leader in creating healthy and supportive learning environments, with 28 schools earning national recognition from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
The schools were named to the 2026 America’s Healthiest Schools list, which recognizes educational communities that make student and staff wellness an integral part of the school experience.
The achievement represented significant growth for PGCPS. Thirteen county schools received the honor in 2025. This year’s 28 honorees accounted for nearly 76 percent of the 37 Maryland schools recognized nationwide.
“This recognition is a reflection of the work happening every day in our schools,” Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph said. “Our schools are not simply talking about wellness, they are building it into the student experience, from what students eat and how they move to the relationships, supports and opportunities that help them feel connected and ready to learn.”
The program evaluates schools on evidence-based policies and practices that support nutrition and food access, physical education and activity, health services, mental health, staff well-being, and family and community engagement.
Four PGCPS elementary schools—Carmody Hills, Melwood, Robert R. Gray and Springhill Lake—earned the Alliance’s prestigious All-Star Award after receiving recognition in all nine health and wellness categories. Only six Maryland schools earned All-Star status, placing four of the state’s highest-performing schools in Prince George’s County.
The complete list of recognized PGCPS schools included:
Beacon Heights Elementary School
Bladensburg Elementary School
Carmody Hills Elementary School — All-Star
Charles Carroll Middle School
Clinton Grove Elementary School
Colin Powell Academy
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Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Flintstone Elementary School
Fort Washington Forest Elementary School
Frances Fuchs Early Childhood Center
Francis T. Evans Elementary School
General James Gholson Middle School
Judge Sylvania Woods Sr. Elementary School
Kettering Middle School
Largo High School
Melwood Elementary School — All-Star
Northwestern High School
Overlook Full Spanish Immersion School
Oxon Hill Middle School
Robert R. Gray Elementary School — All-Star
Rosaryville Elementary School
Springhill Lake Elementary School — All-Star
Thomas S. Stone Elementary School
Valley View Elementary School
Waldon Woods Elementary School
The designation reflects the growing understanding that academic achievement and student health are closely connected. Nutritious meals, opportunities for exercise, accessible health services and effective mental-health support can help students remain attentive, attend school consistently and arrive in classrooms prepared to learn.
PGCPS officials said schools are also working with families and community organizations to connect students with resources that extend beyond the classroom. The district’s approach treats wellness as a shared responsibility involving administrators, teachers, support employees, students and parents.
“This is what it looks like when wellness becomes part of the culture of a school,” Joseph said. “We are proud of every school recognized and especially proud of the educators, staff, students and families who make this work possible.”
The 2026 honors positioned PGCPS as a statewide model for building healthier schools while reinforcing the district’s commitment to educating and supporting the whole child.
