Prince George’s County (Map, News) - Prince George’s County superintendent John Deasy is hoping to create dozens of schools for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and over the next several weeks parents will have a chance to weigh in on the proposal.

“There are two benefits potentially in addition to improving academic achievement,” said schools spokesman John White. “One would be better utilization of schools that are under-enrolled, and possibly reducing overcrowded middle schools if some of those students were to go to another [pre] K-8 school.”

Deasy’s administration is scheduled to start hosting a series of workshops around the county for parents to learn about the proposal and offer suggestions. The first of those was Tuesday night.

White said middle school often is where children begin to struggle academically, and under Deasy’s proposal there would be fewer transitions and more personalization. “The adults in the building will know every student and every student will feel they are known and supported,” White said.

Deasy’s plan doesn’t call for the construction of any new schools, according to White. “Where we have space we would have a [pre-K] through eight school instead of say an under-enrolled elementary school,” White said.

There are currently three pre-K-8 schools in the county and students in those schools score consistently well on state tests, White said. Like the three schools, White said, some of the new pre-K-8 schools could have specific themes or programs.

Sarah Irvine Belson, dean of American University’s School of Education, Teaching and Health, said the pre-K-8 plan could be a positive. “Honestly, I think it’s probably a good idea if the schools are small enough,” she said. “If you are talking about … large schools, there might not be any help there.”