Stephen Decatur Middle School

8200 Pinewood Drive

Clinton, MD 20735

School District

Prince George's County Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Prince George's County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on June 07, 2024

This school isn’t the best, I recommend you send your kids to another school. I’m a current honor student and I feel like my potential is just wasted by teachers?? The teachers are not great at all, there are teachers who take it seriously and genuinely teach but others just hand out work with little to no explanation. Teachers just show a ps74 and don’t teach children their consequences. It’s horrid. Other kids get by with things like bullying, smoking, drugs, and fighting everyday while me wearing a simple black jacket gets threatened to get in school suspension.
Submitted by student on March 29, 2024

This school is overall a good school i just think the staff and teachers could do better teaching and showing kids from right from wrong instead of just handing out ps74 and suspensions including paper work
Submitted by other on December 30, 2023

if ur looking for a school to send ur child to in Clinton do not send ur child to this school i repeat DO NOT send ur child to this school if anything send ur child to gwynn park middle school because this school is outrageous kids get into physical fights every day , the special kids get hit by there teacher such as kids with autism, the teachers don’t know how to teach they just give u a test or a packet and expect us to know it but when we are failing there class they raise there voice and calls us disappointments to our families or calls us a disgrace and when there class is out off control and everyone is doing there own thing if u stand up without permission there either gonna call ur parents, give u a PS74, or get security and administration on u
Submitted by student on October 04, 2022

The bullying is absolutely ridiculous. It has been this way since I got into this school. There hasn't been anything done about it and it still persists. Pretty much none or little amount of support for kids with mental disabilities (Autism, ADHD, etc...) and they also get bullied but no teacher does anything about it. There has been way too many physical fights. There's teacher's who are way too strict or was too lenient on students (One teacher took way my summer fest away because i used my ipad in class playing games even though i only had 1 out of 3 strikes at the time) and (One teacher i had did absolutely nothing about the kids roaming around and running in class while they were teaching). I know I may sound like a absolute big nerd saying this but at least make it better. Oh the school lunch is overpriced and is awful. I once found mold in my sandwich so I would not recommend going here... I miss berlin intermediate school.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2022

There has been a new Principal since school 2022/2023. The students are developing their skills to handle disagreements. Please be patient.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2022

In my unfortunate experience. The school secretary was condescending and disrespectful. I am unsure why she was so disrespectful as I did my best to be mannerly and respectful in spite of her consistent abuse. I can't imagine that school staff is unaware of this behavior as she was very rude to others as they came in the office while I was there. I'm sure is like this most of the time. She was even rude to the little kids as they came in to ask her queries. Her superior(s) definitely need to address this. Our African American community needs to do better we already have others to fight with it makes no sense to be fighting amongst ourselves.
Submitted by student on March 30, 2022

Horrible discipline they let they’re student roam the halls during class hours. I haven’t learned anything in 8 months because they teachers can’t teach or they are rather too strict when teaching.I haven’t received homework since 5th grade.Al thought this school does make a kids skin tough it will also ruin their mental health.I also have a bullying problem where they will airdrop picture of me and other people or either post them on TikTok.This school also keeps horrible children who deserve to be expelled
Submitted by student on March 22, 2022

This school is horrendous, I currently have a bullying situation going on now and they hve been letting it happen since the year started.The kds act absolutly out of control. I have not learned any math this whole school year. The staff doesnt care about the children, Fights happen everyday, I cannot WAIT to leave this school!!!
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2022

please don’t send your child to this school especially if they have behavior problems already this school is horrible there is at least 2 fights a day .there is always kids bully other kids who don’t ever defend there self they have these teachers that dont even teach this is a heads up don’t make the same mistake i did the princeable about doesn’t car all she does is complain and raise her voice she had no relationship with the kids and doesn’t care what the kids are going threw but the vice principal is very and has patience
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2022

This school still has a terrible bullying problem. The teachers and administration will not do anything outside of their guidelines to prevent or deescalate any issue. The teachers are tired and over worked. The children notice the lack of interest and dedication from their teachers. The school expects the kids to change without any effort from the adults. Motivation is low. I've had 3 kids go to this school within the last 10 years and the atmosphere has never changed. Sending your kid to this school is a risk to their mental and physical health. But there are no other options unfortunately. Do not expect your child to go to school and mind their business thinking that they will not get bullied by students or mistreated by staff. This school should be completely restaffed with quality administration and teachers.
Submitted by student on January 02, 2022

The Worst school ever needs a lot of work with the teachers
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2021

This school isn’t bad as the reviews make it seem well maybe not this these years. This kinda your basic school. Personally the staff is nice and understanding
Submitted by other on December 24, 2014

(STUDENT) In all my years in public schools, Stephen Decatur was the absolute worst school I have ever attended. It has a horrendous bullying problem and the staff has absolute ZERO control over the student population. I started in seventh grade and was immediately bullied for my looks and grades. Most of teachers I had did nothing to help even if the bullying was happening right in front of them. One time my desk was surrounded by a group of girls calling me names and I started to cry. The teacher did nothing. I saw a boy light a girl's hair on fire. Our science teacher had to extinguish it. There was always a person in my class missing because he/she was in was suspended.There are always fights in this school. The principal is horrible, unprofessional and curses at students. There was only one teacher who I thought made learning enjoyable. This school did nothing but damage my self confidence and made me distrustful of my peers. If anything this school made my skin tougher and taught me how to walk and talk in a way that wouldn't attract the attention of bullies. In my opinion the education being taught there is standard. The problem is the lack of control and organization.
Submitted by other on July 25, 2014

I believe Stephen Decatur has the potential to go far with teaching kids. I only gave this school a 3/5 stars because they are known for their student vs. student and student vs. teacher fights. But on another note their AVID and their PBIS programs are exeptional. The band and sports levels teach students from what an instrament is to what a volleyball is.
Submitted by other on July 10, 2014

(student) worst school ever i wish i could have gone anywhere else lots of bullying and over stuff like cloths or shoes or even haircuts and friends dont send ur kid there because I was gonna put zero stars and if i u send ur kid there they wont learn because of crazy kids and cursing teachers on teacher even tried to fight a student
Submitted by other on February 04, 2014

What ever you do, Do not send any kids to this school. Teachers let the kids run wild,kids bully and for no reason make people who they don't even know their name feel bad. Almost anything can trigger being bullied. Including what shoes youwear. And to top that off,kids think it is funny to sexually harass other students.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2013

Stephan Decatur is the worst school in PG County. Do not send your kids there. They will get bullied and the teachers have absolutely no control over those kids. If there was an option for no stars that would have been chosen.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2013

not a good school lots of bullying and social exclusions and distractions from learning {from a student}
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2013

Between all the issues we've had with bullies & administrators, this is a HORRIBLE school. Wish I never would've started my kid here. He cries on a regular basis begging to be homeschooled & never go back.Really wish iI could rate negative stars......it doesn't deserve even 1
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

We are the parents of student attending this school and I am in the Education field. This is my final child in the Prince Georges County Public School system and we are excited. Our view is the that Teacher Certification is missing. Several of the teachers in the classes lack the certification to teach the specific academic topic. Due to their lack of professionalism they are unable convey proper information to parents. The student academic achievement is suffering and this is a disgrace. The principal is not able to correct the many errors of this school. Just because you look the part does not mean things will fall in line. We agree with Rushern Baker taking over the Prince Georges County Public school system because too many are complacent in their position. Accountability is MUST be brought back to the forefront. If you can RUN dont' WALK away from this school!