Prince George’s County Public Schools is the second largest school system in Maryland with the second-oldest stock of buildings. As of 2021, over half of their 208 schools were more than 50 years old. Challenged by their aging infrastructure and potential for overcrowding, PGCPS embarked on an ambitious undertaking to accelerate the delivery of new schools and modernizations, becoming the first public school system in the nation to leverage a full-scope alternative financing model to design, build, finance, and maintain a multi-school K–12 construction program. This unique Public-Private Partnership approach enabled the district to complete the design and construction of five middle schools and one PreK through 8 academy in half the time of traditionally funded projects.
PGCPS has a mission to “provide a transformative educational experience anchored by excellence in equity—developing 21st century competencies and enabling each student’s unique brilliance to flourish in order to build empowered communities and a more inclusive and just world.” In 2023, Stantec delivered six new schools serving 8000 students that aim to fulfill their mission.
In historically under-resourced communities, these innovative schools brought high-quality, equitable environments that inspire and enable its inhabitants to gather, connect, and function to their highest potential.
