Suitland High School
Encyclopedia
Suitland High School is a public magnet
high school
located at 5200 Silver Hill Road, Forestville, Maryland 20747, long regarded for its Visual and Performing Arts magnet program. Suitland hosts a wide variety of specialized programs of instruction, which includes: the Center for Visual and Performing Arts magnet program; an International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet program; the Technical Academy signature program; the America's Choice School Design signature program; and the Academy of Finance. Suitland also hosted a third magnet program, the University High School, until the program was eliminated throughout the school system in 2006.
Suitland High School is a unique campus within the school system, being divided into four facilities, with three separate physical buildings which together comprised the Suitland High School complex. The main building houses the majority of the schools academic offerings. Directly ahead of the main building is the Annabelle Ferguson Auditorium which was built separate from the main building. Directly behind the main building is the Visual and Performing Arts Annex, which is a former elementary school. Attached to the main building (but generally regarded as another facility) is the Jesse J. Warr Vocational Center, an addition built-on to the original facility which houses the schools' Technical Academy, a vocational program
offering different areas of training for eleventh and twelfth graders seeking career and technical education, for entrance into the working world upon graduation from high school.
The principal at Suitland is Mr. Mark Fossett, whose been with Suitland for more than a decade. The approximate student enrollment as of September 2010 stands at 2,762-students in grades nine through twelve. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at Suitland.
The Center has been in existence at Suitland High School since 1986 and functions as a school-within-a-school. Each year, graduating students earn millions in scholarship awards and attend some of the most prestigious conservatories, colleges and universities in the country.
Frequent collaborations with local arts institutions such as the University of Maryland, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Clarice Smith Center, and the Washington Performing Arts Society provide our talented high school students with opportunities to meet and learn from many of today’s successful artists.
Admission into the VPA magnet program is through audition only.
Benefits of the IB Diploma Program include:
The Academy currently offers seventeen programs, many of which lead to professional certifications and/or licensures. The programs are offered in nine high schools (Bladensburg, Croom Vocational, Crossland, Forestville, Gwynn Park, Laurel, Suitland, Tall Oaks Vocational, and Henry A. Wise) and serves the entire county. All of the schools serve students in grades 11 and 12.
The Technical Academy teaching methodology utilizes both theory and practical experiences. The Foundation of Automotive and Construction Technology for Students (F.A.C.T.S.) is one of the Academy partners responsible for the student built house project and the Student Auto Group Enterprise. This project provides practical hands on experience which enable students to build a house from start to completion and provides the auto students the opportunity to learn the operations of the auto repair and sales industries. Students wishing to participate in the Technical Academy Program must go through the application
process. Students are selected based on their career interest, academic achievement and attendance. Applications are available in all high school guidance offices.
Consumer Service, Hospitality and Tourism
Construction and Development
Health and Bio-Sciences
Information Technology
Transportation Technologies
- House Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
Lamont Jordan
- University of Maryland
& NFL football player
Chad Scott
- NFL football player
Navarro Bowman - Penn State & NFL Football player
Jude Waddy
- NFL football player
Bobby Maze - University of Tennessee
Basketball player
Devin Tyler - Temple University
& NFL Football player
George O. Gore II
- actor, New York Undercover
, My Wife and Kids
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located at 5200 Silver Hill Road, Forestville, Maryland 20747, long regarded for its Visual and Performing Arts magnet program. Suitland hosts a wide variety of specialized programs of instruction, which includes: the Center for Visual and Performing Arts magnet program; an International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet program; the Technical Academy signature program; the America's Choice School Design signature program; and the Academy of Finance. Suitland also hosted a third magnet program, the University High School, until the program was eliminated throughout the school system in 2006.
Suitland High School is a unique campus within the school system, being divided into four facilities, with three separate physical buildings which together comprised the Suitland High School complex. The main building houses the majority of the schools academic offerings. Directly ahead of the main building is the Annabelle Ferguson Auditorium which was built separate from the main building. Directly behind the main building is the Visual and Performing Arts Annex, which is a former elementary school. Attached to the main building (but generally regarded as another facility) is the Jesse J. Warr Vocational Center, an addition built-on to the original facility which houses the schools' Technical Academy, a vocational program
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
offering different areas of training for eleventh and twelfth graders seeking career and technical education, for entrance into the working world upon graduation from high school.
The principal at Suitland is Mr. Mark Fossett, whose been with Suitland for more than a decade. The approximate student enrollment as of September 2010 stands at 2,762-students in grades nine through twelve. There is a mandatory uniform policy in place at Suitland.
History
In 2004 Sheryl Cashin said in The Failures of Integration: How Race and Class are Undermining the American Dream that Suitland High was one of several mostly black, mostly middle class PG County public high schools that was "decidedly underachieving: fewer than half of the seniors at these schools went on to attend four-year colleges in recent years."Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program
The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts is a rigorous four-year arts program that offers artistically talented high school students from all over Prince George’s County educational opportunities designed to prepare them artistically for college, professional study, or career options in the arts. Strong association with the arts in the Washington, DC-area offers distinct advantages. Students study with professional artists, dancers, actors, musicians, singers, and directors/producers. Students explore, and eventually major, in any one of the five principle concentrations: music; dance; theater; and visual arts. Suitland High School offers the 950-seat Annabelle E Ferguson Auditorium, an experimental theater, and a fully equipped dance studio.The Center has been in existence at Suitland High School since 1986 and functions as a school-within-a-school. Each year, graduating students earn millions in scholarship awards and attend some of the most prestigious conservatories, colleges and universities in the country.
Frequent collaborations with local arts institutions such as the University of Maryland, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Clarice Smith Center, and the Washington Performing Arts Society provide our talented high school students with opportunities to meet and learn from many of today’s successful artists.
Admission into the VPA magnet program is through audition only.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, is an academically challenging and balanced course of study, that prepares students for success in college and life beyond. The mission of the program is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better, more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.Benefits of the IB Diploma Program include:
- Higher university and college acceptance rates for IB graduates than for total population applicants
- Increased scholarship and grant opportunities
- A college level academic program that transitions students to university and college standards
- Interdisciplinary instruction to encourage international-mindedness
- Fostering of lifelong learning
- Teacher development using IB strategies
Technical Academy
The Technical Academy Programs provide students with technical skills and knowledge that add value to their academic education. The programs are designed to prepare students with post secondary options (college, workforce and/or military) in their chosen career field. The programs are organized into the Maryland Career Clusters. These clusters are driven by what students need to know in order to graduate fully prepared for post secondary education and a career. Students will be prepared for a high skill, high wage, high demand career in this 21st century global economy.The Academy currently offers seventeen programs, many of which lead to professional certifications and/or licensures. The programs are offered in nine high schools (Bladensburg, Croom Vocational, Crossland, Forestville, Gwynn Park, Laurel, Suitland, Tall Oaks Vocational, and Henry A. Wise) and serves the entire county. All of the schools serve students in grades 11 and 12.
The Technical Academy teaching methodology utilizes both theory and practical experiences. The Foundation of Automotive and Construction Technology for Students (F.A.C.T.S.) is one of the Academy partners responsible for the student built house project and the Student Auto Group Enterprise. This project provides practical hands on experience which enable students to build a house from start to completion and provides the auto students the opportunity to learn the operations of the auto repair and sales industries. Students wishing to participate in the Technical Academy Program must go through the application
process. Students are selected based on their career interest, academic achievement and attendance. Applications are available in all high school guidance offices.
Technical Academy Program Offerings
Arts, Media and Communication- Publishing and Graphics Careers
Consumer Service, Hospitality and Tourism
- Barbering and Hairstyling Careers
- Cosmetology Careers
Construction and Development
- Carpentry Careers
- Drafting/CAD
- Electrical Careers
- Plumbing and Heating Careers
Health and Bio-Sciences
- Nursing/Medical Careers
Information Technology
- Computer Networking
- IT Essentials
Transportation Technologies
- Automotive Body Repair Careers
- Automotive Technician Careers
Notable alumni
Steny HoyerSteny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton Hoyer is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1981. The district includes a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C.. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
- House Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
Lamont Jordan
LaMont Jordan
LaMont Damon Jordan is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
- University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
& NFL football player
Chad Scott
Chad Scott
Chad Oliver Scott was an American football cornerback who retired in 2008. He was a surprise number 1 draft choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who picked him 24th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft...
- NFL football player
Navarro Bowman - Penn State & NFL Football player
Jude Waddy
Jude Waddy
Jude Michael Waddy is a former professional American football linebacker who played for two seasons for the Green Bay Packers. He was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He played college football at William & Mary.-References:...
- NFL football player
Bobby Maze - University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
Basketball player
Devin Tyler - Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
& NFL Football player
George O. Gore II
George O. Gore II
George O. Gore II is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Michael Kyle, Jr. on the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids, and Gregory "G" Williams on the Fox police drama New York Undercover....
- actor, New York Undercover
New York Undercover
New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
, My Wife and Kids
My Wife and Kids
My Wife and Kids is an American television family sitcom that ran on ABC from March 28, 2001 until May 17, 2005. Produced by Touchstone Television , it starred Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin, and centers on the character of Michael Kyle, a loving husband and modern-day patriarch who rules...