Monday, August 3, 2026

Continued progress: BCPS students make gains on 2026 state assessments

On July 28, the Maryland State Department of Education released its 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) data. This data shows that Baltimore County Public Schools students have made gains in performance on the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics state assessments for the third consecutive year.

According to the data, 103 BCPS schools saw increases in the percentage of students scoring proficient in both ELA and math. BCPS students made gains on 13 of 16 English and math assessment data points. The BCPS rate of improvement in ELA for 2026 (1.17%) exceeds the statewide improvement percentage (0.9%) over one year (school year 2024-2025 to 2025-2026).

See highlights from the data in a Community Update available in English and Spanish.

Join us at a Meet the Superintendent event

Share your ideas and hopes with Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser

Photos from the July 21 event at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts

BCPS is hosting a series of “Meet the Superintendent” events this summer. Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser is eager to hear directly from community members about their priorities and hopes for BCPS.

Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. To request interpreting services for other languages, please call 443-809-1250 as soon as possible.

The July 9 Meet the Superintendent event at Pine Grove Middle School, July 16 event at Randallstown High School, and July 21 event at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts can be viewed online. Photos from the July 9, July 16, and July 21 events can be found on Flickr.

Summer Stories: Meet two apprentices from Kenwood High School

Prayer Dredden and Chad Brown

This summer, many BCPS students are working as apprentices for a wide range of employers, including the school system. The BCPS Youth Apprenticeship program, associated with the Maryland Department of Labor, provides opportunities for students to earn both credits and wages as they learn on the job.

A new Summer Stories blog post features Q&As with two Kenwood High students beginning their apprenticeships this summer and their supervisors.

The students are Prayer Dredden, a Grade 12 student doing graphic design and social media at Chesapeake High School, and Chad Brown, a Grade 11 student fulfilling parent and teacher orders at the Middlesex Resource Center.

Students interested in an apprenticeship should see the career navigator or work-based learning coordinator at their school to explore options.

Summer Stories: Padonia International Principal Dr. Jennifer Hernandez explores values-based and arts-integrated learning

Since completing her doctorate in May, Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, principal of Padonia International Elementary School, has been engaged in deep learning about how elementary instruction can be more values-based and integrated with the arts.

Her study is facilitated by three appointments she received this spring -- to the Arts for Learning Maryland Principal Fellowship Cohort, the inaugural Fred Rogers Institute Educators’ Neighborhood, and the Fred Rogers Productions Education Advisory Impact Committee.

Thus far this summer, Hernandez has traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with members of the Advisory Impact Committee, met with Fred Rogers Productions staff, and spent three days with her Principal Fellowship Cohort exploring arts integration through visits to Walters Art Museum, the National Blacks in Wax Museum, and Henderson-Hopkins Elementary School in Baltimore City.

A new Summer Stories blog post details her story and her efforts to bring more opportunities for growth to her school community.

What's your summer story?

To submit a blog post or suggest a story idea, please write to communications@bcps.org. We want to know about your summer jobs/internships/externships, vacations, creative projects, competitions, camps, and more!

Are you ready for a change?

The books recommended this week by our wonderful colleagues in the Baltimore County Public Library Collection Department tell the stories of young people – and a worm and a butterfly – all bravely facing challenging transitions: separation, shifting friendships, the end of a school year, moving to a new city, and even moving to the moon.

Many thanks to our library friends for these great recommendations, and please remember to stop by your local library branch to participate in the summer reading program, have them put together a Be Surprised Bundle for you, and take part in their many activities.

We're less than a month away from BCPSfest

Save the date: Saturday, August 22

Nearly 70 vendors! Access BCPS and community resources. Apply for jobs!

Back-to-school vaccine clinic!

The Baltimore County Department of Health will hold a back-to-school vaccination clinic at BCPSfest. All school-required vaccines will be administered at this clinic. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Focus on Families

from BCPS Parent University

Does your child need immunizations before the new school year begins?

If your child needs vaccines, the Baltimore County Department of Health offers convenient, low-cost clinic options throughout the summer and fall. Don't wait until the last minute!

• Appointments can be made at seven health center locations throughout the summer and with extended hours beginning in September. View the health center schedule online, and call 410-887-2705 to make an appointment.



Kenwood High alum Dave Patrick inducted into Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame

The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has inducted Dave Patrick into its prestigious Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame. Beginning in the 1950s, Patrick attended Mars Estates Elementary and Stemmers Run Junior High.

He graduated from Kenwood High with a memorable cross country and indoor and outdoor track record. He went on to become one of the most decorated runners in Villanova University's history: a five-time NCAA champion, eight-time All American, and six-time IC4A mile champion.

Art Showcase

"Bill the Big Bunch of Bolts," by Belle M., Grade 7, Hereford Middle School. This sculpture earned first place honors in the BCPS Middle School Juried Art Exhibition on display in the BCPS Administration Building, Greenwood Campus, through the end of August.

Mission Moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Bringing the Imagination Playground to BCPSfest

At this year's BCPSfest, The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will once again sponsor the Imagination Playground in partnership with the Baltimore Community Toolbank.

Imagination Playground is a breakthrough concept designed to encourage child-directed free play. While at the festival, be sure to stop by The Education Foundation’s table and pick up a pencil pouch stuffed with back-to-school tools, while supplies last. 



For more information, including parking options, a list of vendors, and entertainment, please visit the BCPSfest webpage.  

Highlights from Dr. Heiser

August 3, 2026

Dear Team BCPS:

Last week, when the Maryland State Department of Education released 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment data, Baltimore County Public Schools once again received good news. For the third consecutive year, our students have made gains. This news underscores that we are making progress.

As the state revises its standards and develops new standards-based assessments, BCPS will continue to use this data, along with other important measures, including internal curriculum-based assessments, Advanced Placement, and the SAT, to monitor student growth and achievement and guide system reform strategies.

We are encouraged by our students’ continued growth in nearly all areas of the state assessments. These gains are the direct result of our amazing teachers and staff across BCPS, and I know that Team BCPS will continue to work relentlessly to ensure all students reach and surpass proficiency.

We believe that all students can learn and achieve excellence, and our schools and central office teams will work together to identify effective solutions to increase student performance.

Sincerely,

Bill Heiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Upcoming Board meetings

All are welcome to attend

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, August 11, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

Board of Education meeting/FY 2028 Capital Budget Work Session

Tuesday, August 25, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204