Charter School Announced Its Closure 4 Days Before New School Year Started

FORT WASHINGTON, MD — Leaders with EXCEL Academy Public Charter School announced shortly before school was to start it will not open for the 2025–2026 school year.

EXCEL Academy Public Charter School was the longest operating public charter school in Prince George’s County, according to its website, and was an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme IB World School.

"EXCEL Academy surrendered its charter after determining the school could no longer sustain the financial stability needed to provide the quality education students deserve. Despite earnest efforts, EXCEL was unable to close critical funding gaps or demonstrate long-term financial viability," Prince George's County Public Schools stated on its website.

The charter school stated on Facebook that its financial situation was caused by various things, including "being forced to relocate to a new facility during the financial devastation caused by the COVID pandemic, not reaching our enrollment target in previous years - most often due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, as well as budget changes that are having a disproportionate impact on all charter schools in the county."

Parents of students at EXCEL expressed anger and shock about the closure on the charter school's Facebook page.

PGCPS has been working with EXCEL families to transition into new school communities across the district, leaders stated. Students will be assigned to their home schools and families will be given additional options that may include charter schools and neighborhood schools where seats are available, the district stated. All PGCEA, ASASP and AFSCME 2250 staff will be placed in other PGCPS schools.

“Our goal is always to support all of our charter schools to be successful,” said PGCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph. “EXCEL has been a strong partner and served families well for nearly two decades. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, they could not overcome the financial challenges they faced. While this is a deeply unfortunate situation, closing now prevents greater disruption for students. PGCPS will continue to stand with families and staff to make this transition as smooth as possible.”