As construction continues on the brand-new Burtonsville Elementary School, students, staff, families, and alumni are being asked to help make one of the most exciting decisions ahead of the school’s 2026 reopening: choosing the mascot that will represent the community for years to come.
For decades, Burtonsville Elementary has had two distinct identities. Until 1999, students were known as the Burtonsville Bengals, beginning a big-cat theme that continued as many students moved on to Banneker Middle School and Paint Branch High School. The Bengals became Bobcats, and eventually Panthers, tying the Burtonsville pathway together.
In 2000, the school adopted a new identity and became the Stars, a mascot that current students and families have embraced for more than 25 years. Now, with a modern new building on the way, the community has the chance to choose between a return to its Bengal roots or continuing to shine as the Stars. The survey can be found here.
The new Burtonsville Elementary School broke ground on May 19 during a ceremony attended by Board of Education President Julie Yang, Superintendent Thomas Taylor, and Principal Kimberly Lloyd. The school is being constructed at a new site, located at 14709 Saddle Creek Drive, to better serve the Burtonsville community.
Designed as a 100,000SF facility with capacity for 796 students, the building will feature a bright, open media center with high ceilings and natural light. Art classrooms will sit near an outdoor courtyard that supports creative and hands-on learning, and the building’s layout is intended to offer more space, functionality, and flexibility for students and staff. The school is expected to open for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
