Twenty-one comprehensive AACPS schools increased their star ratings and 62 schools – 53 percent of comprehensive schools across the county – earned four or five stars on the 2023-2024 Maryland Report Card’s five-star accountability system, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education today.
AACPS’ overall percentage of four- and five-star schools is 6 percentage points higher than a year ago and 12 percentage points higher than the state average. This year marks the third consecutive year in which AACPS ratings have surpassed the state average.
The percentage of schools earning three or more stars rose to 92.3 percent – from 103 to 108 schools – in the latest ratings. That’s nearly 10 percentage points higher than the state average.
Calculated from data collected during the 2023-2024 school year, the ratings are the first since the inception of the system five years ago in which the criteria under which a school earns stars has not changed from the prior year, making year-to-year comparisons valid for the first time.
The Report Card utilizes metrics that are part of Maryland’s accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It incorporates multiple indicators of school performance and calculates them into a final score to arrive at a rating of one to five stars.
The news was particularly good at four-star Hilltop Elementary in Glen Burnie, the lone county school to gain two stars on the Report Card. In addition to Hilltop, the following schools gained stars:
Brooklyn Park Middle School
Corkran Middle School
Crofton Woods Elementary School
Davidsonville Elementary School
Freetown Elementary School
Germantown Elementary School
Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary School
Hillsmere Elementary School
Jessup Elementary School
Lake Shore Elementary School
Lindale Middle School
Lothian Elementary School
Meade High School
Monarch Academy
Oak Hill Elementary School
Oakwood Elementary School
Pershing Hill Elementary School
Quarterfield Elementary School
Tracey’s Elementary School
Tyler Heights Elementary School
Across the county, 11 schools earned the top tier of five stars. They are Arnold Elementary, Benfield Elementary, Crofton Woods Elementary, Davidsonville, Elementary, Folger McKinsey Elementary, Hillsmere Elementary, Jones Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Severna Park Elementary, Shipley’s Choice Elementary, and Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School.
“This is very positive news not just for our students and staff, but for our county as a whole,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “These increases are the result of countless hours of focused, intentional work on the part of educators and everyone on our team who supports them, as well as our students, families, and communities. This is the type of sustained, incremental growth that is evidence of helping every student Belong, Grow, and Succeed. It is what moves a school system from good to great and I truly believe that’s where we are going.”
Dr. Bedell also pointed to the fact that eight of AACPS’ elementary Community Schools as designated under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including Hilltop Elementary, increased their star ratings this year. Another 15 elementary Community Schools increased the percentage of points scored on the Report Card, moving them closer to gaining another star. Community Schools receive additional targeted funding through the Blueprint to increase student achievement and build family and community connections.
“This is proof that that the investments we continue to make in our Community Schools program are paying dividends for our students and families,” Dr. Bedell said. “This is the equitable work of education in action and we are seeing positive results here in our county.”
Complete Maryland Report Card results can be found here. Star ratings for individual county schools can be found here.