News Summary
Excel Academy Public Charter School in Fort Washington, Maryland, has announced its immediate closure just four days before the new school year begins. This unexpected decision has left hundreds of students and their families scrambling for alternative schools. With the school renowned for its International Baccalaureate program, the timing has caused significant distress among parents and students, raising concerns over the impact on their education and logistical arrangements. Prince George’s County Public Schools is working to reassign affected teachers and place students in local schools.
Excel Academy Public Charter School in Fort Washington Closes Just Days Before School Begins
Fort Washington, Maryland — Excel Academy Public Charter School, a longstanding educational institution in Prince George’s County, has announced its immediate closure just four days before the commencement of the 2025-2026 school year. The decision to surrender its charter was officially made on August 21, leaving hundreds of students and their families facing unexpected upheaval.
Key Details of the Closure
The school, which served nearly 500 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, was renowned for its dedication to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, emphasizing rigorous academic standards and college readiness. Its abrupt closure has caused significant disappointment among parents and students who had planned to return to school only days later.
Families had recently purchased uniforms and made other preparations for the upcoming school year, unaware that the institution would cease operations so close to the start date. The timing of this decision has led to confusion and concern regarding the immediate arrangements for affected students.
Impact on Students and Families
Many parents expressed their shock and distress over the news. One parent, whose eighth-grade son has attended Excel since kindergarten, highlighted the challenge of transitioning a final-year student to a new school with such short notice. Another parent shared concern about securing placements at alternative schools before the upcoming Tuesday deadline, emphasizing the logistical difficulties faced by families in a tightly compressed timeframe.
Students of all grade levels, including those preparing for their final year before high school, are now faced with the uncertainties of changing schools during an already stressful period. The closure’s timing has left families scrambling to identify new educational options within days.
School District Response and Next Steps
In response to the closure, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) confirmed that teachers from Excel Academy would be reassigned to other district schools. Meanwhile, students are expected to be placed in their designated home schools, although specific details are still being communicated.
The nonprofit organization behind Excel Academy, SEED/Excel, cited financial difficulties as the primary reason for shutting down. Challenges such as enrollment shortfalls, increased costs related to relocating during the COVID-19 pandemic, and budget changes that disproportionately affected charter schools contributed to this decision.
Lisa Butler McDougal, representing SEED/Excel, expressed her devastation over the sudden closure and assured that the organization would coordinate efforts to assist families in securing alternative educational placements.
Historical Context and Community Reactions
Established in 2005, Excel Academy was one of the earliest charter schools in Prince George’s County, noted for its college-preparatory mission and academic rigor. Its closure marks the end of more than two decades of service to the community.
Many former students and parents, including individuals like Jermaine Moore and Dawnetta Woodson-Moore, shared their uncertainty about the future and expressed concern over the short timeframe to find new schools. Their reactions reflect the broader impact of the school’s sudden shutdown on families relying on the institution for their children’s education.
Future Communications and Support
Prince George’s County Public Schools has stated that affected families will receive further communications regarding student placement details and next steps. Efforts are underway to facilitate a smooth transition, ensuring that students can quickly integrate into new school environments despite the close proximity to the start of classes.
The sudden closure of Excel Academy Public Charter School has underscored challenges faced by charter schools amid financial and operational pressures, and has raised concerns about the stability and accessibility of alternative education options in Prince George’s County.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Traffic Disruptions Expected Due to Oak/Oconee Street Bridge Construction
Evergreen School Year Delayed Amid Union Strike Threat
Heavy Rain Disrupts Charleston High School Football Schedule
Sonoma School Board Votes to Close Flowery Elementary School
Philadelphia School Board Addresses Transportation Disruptions and Charter School Renewals
Evadale School District Cancels Classes Due to Electrical Issues
Denver Public Schools Cancel Classes Due to Extreme Heat
Denver Public Schools Cancel Classes Due to Extreme Heat
Chicago High Schools Achieve National Recognition
Police Arrest Individual After Incident at Palisades High School
Additional Resources
- WUSA9: Excel Academy Closure
- Wikipedia: Charter school
- NBC Washington: Prince George’s Charter School Closure
- Google Search: Excel Academy closure
- Fox 5 DC: Excel Academy Closes Before School Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- WJLA: Excel Academy Closure Details
- Google News: Prince George’s County school closures
- Washington Post: Excel Academy Closure
- DC News Now: Parents Frustrated by Closure
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
