Suitland High School

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Suitland High School
Address
Map
5200 Silver Hill Road

District Heights
,
Prince George's County
,
Maryland

United States
Coordinates38°51′16.5″N 76°55′3″W / 38.854583°N 76.91750°W / 38.854583; -76.91750
Information
School typePublic, Magnet High School
Motto"Falling Forward Toward Student Achievement"
FoundedNovember 15, 1951
School districtPrince George's County Public Schools
SuperintendentMillard House II
PrincipalRonald Hollis
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,834
LanguageEnglish
Campus size344,875 sq ft
Color(s)Scarlet Red and White    
Athletics conference4A
MascotRam
Feeder schoolsDrew-Freeman Middle School
Andrew Jackson Academy
William W. Hall Academy
WebsiteSchool website School district website

Suitland High School is a public school with in Prince George's County, Maryland, operated by Prince George's County Public Schools.

The school serves[1] all of Suitland,[2] a section of the City of District Heights,[3] a section of the Town of Capitol Heights,[4] all of Coral Hills,[5] portions of Forestville,[6] and a portion of Silver Hill.[7]

The current principal is Dr. Ronald Hollis.[8]

History

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Suitland High (formerly Suitland Senior High) is the first high school in the Suitland area. The school's doors officially opened on November 15, 1951. The dedication ceremony, presided over by John W. McNamara, featured Principal Thomas Warthen accepting the dedication on behalf of the students and faculty.

In 1978, Walter R. Battle became principal of Suitland Senior High School. Initially serving students in grades 10th through 12th, the school underwent a restructuring in 1981, incorporating 9th-grade students and removing the "senior" designation from its name. Dr. Joe Hairston played a significant role in the school's transformation as a magnet school in 1987 and served as the principal until the mid-1990s.

On January 20, 1988, President Ronald Reagan delivered a notable speech at Suitland High, using the occasion to announce $115 million nationwide in magnet school funding.[9] The selection of Suitland High School as the site for the president's address was influenced by several factors. Despite facing persistent challenges, the school's status as a fruitful magnet school played a crucial role in its selection.[10]

In 2009, Sheryll Cashin highlighted Suitland High School, along with several other predominantly black and middle-class public high schools in Prince George's County, as underperforming institutions. She noted in The Failures of Integration: How Race and Class are Undermining the American Dream that less than half of the seniors from these schools had enrolled in four-year colleges in recent years, reflecting a concerning trend.[11]

Commencing with the 2016–2017 school year, students who were previously enrolled at the now-closed Forestville High School were redirected to Suitland.[12]

As of September 2022, Suitland High School had an estimated student enrollment of approximately 1,834 students across grades 9–12.[13] A new multimillion dollar campus is expected to open in 2026.[14]

The school adheres to a mandatory uniform policy.

Academics

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Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

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The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts is a renowned four-year arts program providing exceptional educational opportunities to artistically talented high school students across Prince George's County. The program aims to equip students with the necessary artistic skills and knowledge to pursue higher education, professional study, or career paths in the arts. Benefiting from its close proximity to the vibrant arts scene in Washington, D.C., the Center offers unique advantages to its students.

At the Center, students have the privilege of learning under the guidance of experienced and accomplished professionals in their respective artistic disciplines, including artists, dancers, actors, musicians, singers, directors, and producers. The curriculum encompasses a comprehensive exploration of music, dance, theater, and visual arts, allowing students to develop their artistic abilities and specialize in their chosen areas of interest.

Established in 1986, the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts operates as a distinctive school-within-a-school at Suitland High School. Each year, graduating students from the program achieve great success, earning millions of dollars in scholarship awards. Many go on to pursue further education at some of the nation's top conservatories, colleges, and universities.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

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The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a rigorous and comprehensive academic curriculum designed to prepare students for success in both higher education and their future endeavors. The program is known for its balanced approach, emphasizing intellectual growth, intercultural understanding, and fostering a sense of global citizenship.[15]

Benefits of the IB Diploma Program include:

  • Higher college acceptance rates: IB graduates tend to have higher acceptance rates at post-secondary institutions compared to the general school population
  • IB Diploma Programme graduates often enjoy increased access to scholarships and grants due to their demonstrated academic excellence and readiness for higher education.
  • University transition: The program's college-level academic curriculum effectively prepares students for the academic standards and expectations of universities and colleges, ensuring a smoother transition and greater success in higher education.
  • College credits: Based on their performance in specific IB exams, students may be eligible to receive college credit or advanced standing at their chosen post-secondary institution.
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The NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) Unit at Suitland High School was established in May 1982. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on the development of citizenship, leadership skills, and a deep appreciation for maritime heritage, sea power, and naval subjects. Students enrolled in NJROTC gain knowledge in various areas, including naval operations, seamanship, navigation, and meteorology.[16][17]

New campus groundbreaking and renovation

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In June 2022, Prince George's County Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony on a new $335 million campus expected to be open for enrollment by 2026, marking the first full-scale renovation of the school since its inception in 1951.[14][18] The new Suitland High School will accommodate 2,000 students (including 500 enrolled in the Center for Visual and Performing Arts program).[18] Notably, the new facility will only house the traditional high school and CVPA programs, allowing a focus on performing arts.[14] The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have been relocated to nearby Crossland High School, establishing it as the new CTE hub for south county residents.[14]

Notable alumni

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Former Penn State and NFL linebacker NaVorro Bowman
Former Penn State and NFL linebacker NaVorro Bowman
Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

References

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  1. ^ "NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOLS AND BOUNDARIES SCHOOL YEAR 2018-2019." Prince George's County Public Schools. Retrieved on August 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Suitland CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 29, 2018. Pages: 1 and 2.
  3. ^ "Boundary Map." District Heights. Retrieved on March 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Capitol Heights town, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 31, 2018. - Residential areas are marked here: "Residential Land Use. Existing Conditions 2.5." In: "THE TOWN OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN 2011-2016." Capitol Heights, Maryland. PDF p. 14/15. Retrieved on August 31, 2018.
  5. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Coral Hills CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 31, 2018.
  6. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Forestville CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 29, 2018. Pages: 1 and 2.
  7. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Silver Hill CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 29, 2018. Pages: 1 and 2.
  8. ^ Home. Suitland High School. Retrieved on June 21, 2023. "5200 Silver Hill Road • Forestville, MD 20747"
  9. ^ Latimer, Leah Y. (1988-01-21). "SUITLAND BURSTS WITH PRIDE OVER REAGAN VISIT". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  10. ^ Vobejda, Barbara; Hill, Retha (1988-01-16). "REAGAN PICKS SUITLAND FOR SPEECH SITE". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  11. ^ Cashin, Sheryll. "The Dilemma of the Black Middle Class." Issue 9 - Segregation & Integration - November 2005. The Next American City. Retrieved on November 7, 2011.
  12. ^ "Welcome to the Forestville High School Transition Page." Prince George's County Public Schools. Retrieved on May 31, 2016.
  13. ^ "Enrollment Reports". www.pgcps.org. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  14. ^ a b c d "New Release: PGCPS Breaks Ground on a New Suitland High School". www.pgcps.org. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  15. ^ "What is the Diploma Programme?". International Baccalaureate®. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  16. ^ "Home". njrotcstaff06.tripod.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  17. ^ "What is NJROTC?". njrotcstaff06.tripod.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  18. ^ a b "Suitland High School". ektron.pgcps.org. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  19. ^ "Leadership".
  20. ^ "About Steny". Congressman Steny Hoyer. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
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