Excel Academy Announces Closure
As parents, students, and teachers geared up to return to classrooms across Prince George’s County on Aug. 26, hundreds of families were caught off guard as Landover’s Excel Academy Public Charter School announced their closure after nearly 20 years on Aug. 21 — less than a week before the start of the school year.
“This is such a terrible situation to be in at the start of the school year,” said Councilmember Shayla Adams-Stafford (D-District 5), who has years of experience as an educator and previously served on the Board of Education.
The school’s governing board voted to surrender their charter, citing enrollment declines and financial difficulties. Prince George’s County Education Association (PGCEA), Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel (ASASP) and the Association of Classified Employees, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2250 staff will be transferred to other public schools.
Roughly 500 students will have to change schools as a result of the closure.
“I just cannot imagine how stressed out those parents must be trying to find a placement for their child right now, and then also for the students who I know were excited about being reunited with their classmates at the beginning of the year,” Adams-Stafford continued. “I’m sure that this is very unfortunate and stressful for them right now.”
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph pledged support for impacted families and surrounding schools.
“Our goal is always to support all of our charter schools to be successful. EXCEL has been a strong partner and served families well for nearly two decades,” said interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph in a press release announcing the closure on Aug. 22. “Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, they could not overcome the financial challenges they faced. While this is a deeply unfortunate situation, closing now prevents greater disruption for students. PGCPS will continue to stand with families and staff to make this transition as smooth as possible.”
Lawyer and advocate Tonya Sweat questioned the lack of foresight in preparing the families of students.
“I am saddened by the news, disappointed that it comes this close to the first day of school, and hope this does not cause too much inconvenience to the affected families and students. My greatest concern is about the oversight from the County Board of Education. The BOE should have been aware of this possibility mid-summer,” she said in an interview.
Hyattsville Elementary and Brandywine 3rd-8th Grade Groundbreaking
Leading up to the start of school, Prince George’s County leaders, teachers, families and alike celebrated in the groundbreaking of two new schools, both built under a new public-private partnership: Hyattsville Elementary School and Brandywine 3-8 School.
Hyattsville Elementary is expected to reopen in the 2027-2028 school year and is operating out of St. Mark’s School in the interim.
With a total capacity of 197,976 square feet, the new Brandywine 3-8 school is designed to accommodate 1,544 students from third through eighth grades.
Attendees included County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D), Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph and County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D).
“Located at the Gwynn Park Middle School site in the Brandywine neighborhood of Prince George’s County, the school design features flexible learning environments, specialized classrooms for science, art, and music, a modern media center, a full-size gymnasium, and dedicated wings for elementary and middle school students,” according to Prince George’s County Public Schools.
The school is being designed by Perkins Eastman Architects and will be built by MCN Build, with an expected completion in 2028.
“Outdoor learning areas, age-appropriate play spaces, and athletic fields provide students with various opportunities to learn and play,” PGCPS continued.
Hawkins emphasized the importance of neighborhood schools in helping support students and families.
“For me, growing up in Glassmanor, where hope often died,” said Hawkins, “I would go to Forest Heights Elementary, [and] it was the educators there who inspired and encouraged us to understand that despite our social and economic realities, we can go anywhere in the world. This moment tells this.”
Community Supports Students With Local Events
Several local politicians, community leaders and organizations hosted events to help students prepare to go back to school.
The Durant Center gave away hundreds of backpacks in Suitland, Maryland, while Councilmember Calvin Hawkins partnered with WPGC 95.5 to offer free haircuts and school supplies at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center.
In addition, The Solid Foundation held a block party alongside District 5 Councilmember Shayla Adams-Stafford (D) at the Kentland Community Center.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community with love. Over 400 students received bookbags filled with supplies, families enjoyed a hot meal, and the fun activities brought big smiles to the children’s faces,” said Solid Foundation Director LaTasha Ward. We are praying and believing in God for a successful 2025–2026 school year for every student and parent we touched.”
