Maryland's public schools are showing signs of progress, according to the latest data from the state's Department of Education, which indicates a rise in educational ratings statewide, with nearly 90% of schools earning at least three stars on the Maryland School Report Card. The annual School Report Card, a traditional barometer of academic health, breaks schools down by star rankings achieved through a composite of academic achievement and progress, English Language Arts proficiency, and graduation rates, a methodology detailed on WMAR-2 News.
In the city of Baltimore, there's noteworthy improvement, with 49% of schools receiving three stars or above compared to just 25% in 2022, and Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises said, "We are not where we want to be yet, but we can see the progress, and it is a direct reflection of the vigorous work of our students, educators, and families," according to a statement obtained by CBS News. Concurrently, Baltimore County Public Schools boast the highest number of five-star schools, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools are celebrating 36% more five-star schools than the previous year, showcasing a notable boost in education quality.
The impressive strides in Baltimore City are echoed by the 15 schools that achieved four or five stars, marking the highest number since 2018, while seven others saw ratings hikes going from non-existent or low stars to three-four-or five-star ratings, a sign of genuine forward momentum for the district. Baltimore County, not to be outdone, now has 23 five-star schools, leading the state for the second year in a row on this front, despite middle schools in the area falling short of hitting their annual targets as reported by WMAR-2 News.
Howard County stands out too, boasting the highest average rating, with 97% of schools earning three stars or better and illustrating that the commitment to educational excellence isn't confined to any single district but rather reflects a statewide effort to elevate scholastic achievement as noted by the increasing star ratings in Anne Arundel County, where 95% of schools have scooped three or more stars and the rise in five-star institutions from 15 the previous years.
Critically, while signs of academic advancement are there, challenges remain as some districts failed to meet annual targets, particularly in demographics broken by math proficiency; for instance, no student groups in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, or Harford County hit their math proficiency target despite some improvement over the last year, a key issue highlighted by WMAR-2 News.
