Public schools in Riverdale, MD
5 open public schools with an address in Riverdale, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
5
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
5,322
5 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
16.1:1
Maryland median 14.2:1
Charter schools
1
1 magnet · 0 virtual
An overview of Riverdale public schools
The federal directory lists 5 public schools in Riverdale, MD: 2 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high. The 5 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 5,322 students, an average of 1,064 per school. The largest campus is Parkdale High (2,588 students), and the largest elementary school is Riverdale Elementary (586).
Every listed school belongs to Prince George's County Public Schools. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 16.1:1, higher than the statewide school median of 14.2:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school, 1 magnet school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 2 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 2 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 2 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 90% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Riverdale
Elementary schools in Riverdale
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon Heights Elementary Prince George's County Public Schools | PK–05 | 342 | 10.9:1 | |
| Riverdale Elementary Prince George's County Public Schools | PK–05 | 586 | 13.3:1 |
Middle schools in Riverdale
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Wirt Middle Prince George's County Public Schools | 06–08 | 1,124 | 16.1:1 |
High schools in Riverdale
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Park Academy Prince George's County Public Schools · Charter | 06–12 | 682 | 16.6:1 | |
| Parkdale High Prince George's County Public Schools · Magnet | 09–12 | 2,588 | 16.9:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White4.4%
- Hispanic68.5%
- Black21.2%
- Asian4.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial0.8%
Enrollment-weighted across 5 Riverdale schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (5,322 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Riverdale
How many public schools are in Riverdale, MD?
The current NCES directory lists 5 open public schools with a location address in Riverdale: 2 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high. Together they reported 5,322 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Riverdale?
All listed public schools with an address in Riverdale belong to Prince George's County Public Schools. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Riverdale?
Parkdale High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Riverdale, with 2,588 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Riverdale?
Yes. 1 of the 5 public schools in Riverdale are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including College Park Academy. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Riverdale schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Riverdale public schools is 16.1:1, higher than the Maryland school median of 14.2:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Riverdale guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Maryland cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Maryland cities