University Park Elementary School

Posted: July 27, 2026

My kids attended this school from grades 1-5. It was a really mixed experience - some great teachers, some lousy, some bordering on verbally/emotionally abusive. The principal was unwilling to act when issues were brought up, and my son developed anxiety in large part because of feeling unsafe in his classroom over two years. I was in touch with other families who experienced the same with one teacher in particular. The parent community and family engagement are great, as is the counseling staff and many of the specials teachers. It's too bad the principal has been unwilling to remove teachers with a documented history of issues in order to make the school a safe place for all kids. I wish I'd pulled my kids earlier.

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: July 27, 2026

Posted: February 25, 2020

We loved this school, some teachers are awesome. The principal seems very judgy and seems to not care for children with disabilities. Wish they offered more services for children with IEP'S and had counselors in school.

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

My son has been at UPES since kindergarten- he’s now in 3rd grade. He is flourishing, it’s such a loving, community based neighborhood school.

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Principal and Vice Principal are hardworking, dedicated and loving.

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Posted: September 4, 2018

Excellent! So grateful
To have this as or neighborhood school.

Posted: September 4, 2018

School wide homework policy spells out grade by grade expectations.

Posted: September 4, 2018

Fabulous, passionate and committed. There are many who spend much of their careers here.

Posted: September 4, 2018

Tons of character building built in to everyday culture.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Principal is accessible and available to parents and students at all times. The focus is on high quality instruction for all students.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Posted: April 4, 2018

Bullying is not prevalent at this school.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Each year gets betters and better. The staff is becoming more and more diverse. There's a great mixture of novice and veteran teachers and the PTA supports the total school and not just certain parents and teachers.

Posted: April 4, 2018

There's a clear plan for parents as to what is expected for homework at each grade level b

Posted: April 4, 2018

Posted: April 4, 2018

Community Builders program teaches students to be concerned with the greater world around them and to do the right thing b/C its the right thing not b/c there's an extrinsic reward at the end.

Posted: May 23, 2016

School is great. Teachers are fantastic with 2 or 3 exceptions. Some are very snob.. Overall this school is just the most amazing place to educate a kid. So much parent involvement I love it!!! It is like a little family. New principal... I am not in love with. She is not what I expected. I tried several times to talk to her and she never paid attention. Other than that it is wonderful!!

Posted: May 12, 2016

We have had very good experiences with all of our children's teachers, for core academic subjects, as well as music, PE and art.

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

I feel very lucky to be able to send my children to a neighborhood school in walking distance of my home, in a diverse and engaged community. The teachers are amazingly dedicated and have really made the school a community space of learning. Students are pushed to excel and presented with many opportunities to do so.

Posted: May 4, 2016

Posted: February 10, 2016

Very engaged staff and parent community. The school was recently awarded the Maryland State "Excellence in Talented and Gifted Education" (EGATE) certification. PTA is well funded through the generosity of the community and a well-planned series of annual events -- after school enrichment classes, Azalea Classic 5K, Silent Auction, and other events -- and supports the school with a variety of academic enhancements and enriching activities. This is the second year of Italian instruction, and the school has always had a tremendous music program (including choral and instrumental classes, plus an annual musical). TAG and differentiated instruction is offered in every classroom. So thankful the school goes through 6th grade as well. A real treasure in our community and the state.

Posted: February 10, 2016

Most are highly engaged and capable. Several are gems that are institutions at the school. Wish the class sizes were smaller.

Posted: February 10, 2016

The lower elementary grades have been manageable with reading each night encouraged (whether parent-led pre-reading or independently when ready) and then one skill they have been learning. I have found it a great way to know what my less-than-communicative student has been working on in class. There are a few larger projects each year that may or may not be required based on age / TAG status (Write-a-Book, Reading Extravaganza, Science Fair).

Posted: February 10, 2016

Students are encouraged to work together, to know each other well, and support one another. In addition to their daily instruction, my student often brings home / discusses topics brought up during their "good citizenship" lessons with their teacher and visiting instructor.

Posted: January 19, 2015

I currently have two children at UPES. We absolutely love this school. This is a true gem of an elementary school. It is the heart of the neighborhood and the community greatly supports the school. The teachers are incredibly dedicated to the students and the PTA is very supportive and active. In addition to the standard curriculum followed by all public schools, UPES offers an great amount of enrichment - both in daily teaching and in the after-school courses offered, such as Lego-robotics, Science&Learning, ceramics, improv, language courses (Spanish and Mandarin), painting, rainbow loom, debate club, chess club, yoga to name a few. The classrooms are being renovated, including new floors, walls, updated electric systems, new bathrooms, furniture etc. - they are going to be fantastic. The staff are top-notch and the classrooms offer an incredible amount of learning opportunities. It has been a very positive learning experience for my kids. Highly recommended!

Posted: September 20, 2014

Culturally-enriching, academically-engaging and strong community support. This is our 3rd year at UPES and we have 2 children attending the school. Knowledgeable & caring teachers & staff along with a diverse selection of extracurricular activities & classes to supplement what has been squeezed out due to current trending educational models and philosophies, has kept us happy with our children's educational experience. Examples of this are the school's annual Azalea Classic (AC), after-school enrichment classes (AEC), book log events, Dr. Seuss celebration, FallFest, Hispanic Heritage Night, Family Game Night and more. For the AC, the teachers incorporate into their math and physical education curriculum with charts, graphs, goal tracking and a weekly recess running club complete with pedometers. AEC supplements the public school system offering a diverse class selection on topics ranging from foreign language-ceramics-drama-chess & more. The add'l activities help foster a strong community which is proven to be a strong predictor of producing successful students. A school is what you make it and, like anything, at a minimum, you'll get out of it what you put into it.

Posted: August 4, 2014

I loveed it at UPES. It was some of the best years of my life. Shout out to Mrs. Young, Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Bijou, and Mrs. Freeman

Posted: August 3, 2014

What a welcome change in the selection of a new principal for a once great school in a still very nice neighborhood. The teachers here are excellent and the "supportive" parents are basically an extension of community cliques, which I am ashamed to say that I too am a part of. The former principal dismantled all true cultural activities in favor of her American ideal which was definitely not Prince George's County or the world, and ended up with a slew of mediocre, white-washed, hoe-down styled activities that was not all representative of the beautiful diversity found in our community. She had trouble relating to minority faculty, parents and students in Prince George's County. Glad to see her go and looking forward to a new school year led by seasoned professionals who have experience with all types of students.

Posted: February 24, 2012

I do not feel this school can meet the needs of children with specials needs, especially those with an IEP. From my experience, students who start at UPES with an IEP seem to transfer or families move to a different county before reaching the fifth grade. Very unfortunate and hopefully the school's (and the county's) culture will become more open to inclusion.

Posted: September 6, 2011

Excellent organization !! principal is always cheerful and engaging around kids activities! love the staff and teachers they all seem like a wonderful family =) !!

Posted: January 11, 2011

We love this school because the teachers are outstanding and the community is very involved there. The in-school music program is also wonderful. The vast majority of teachers at the school are able to effectively challenge all the kids in the class, no matter what their level by differentiating their lessons on the classroom. They are able to juggle the county, state and federal requirements while also integrating creative ideas and interesting projects into the school day. There is a great Science Bowl team that competes at the county level, and there are numerous other afterschool activities, including PTA-organized language and art classes. It is an incredibly diverse school, both socioeconomically and ethnically, which offers children a terrific introduction to many different cultures and worldviews. Though the building is aging, the education and administration are top-notch.

Posted: December 31, 2010

University Park Elementary School offers an excellent education which is enhanced by the strong sense of community. The children feel part of the warm environment. They are welcomed warmly by the Principal, Asst Principal, Teachers, and staff from the moment they walk in the door each day. The Principal is excellent - a true leader who demonstrates a positive, can do attitude. This is an excellent school. We feel our children are getting an excellent education at UPES.