MD Report Card: BCPS has the most 5-Star schools -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, November 10, 2025

MD Report Card: BCPS has the most 5-Star schools

BCPS has 23 5-Star schools, the most in Maryland,

and 26 schools improved their Star Ratings

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released new school performance and accountability information for each public school system in the state, including Star Ratings for individual schools. These new Star Ratings are calculated using 2024-2025 school year data.

BCPS once again leads the state with the most 5-Star schools (23), and for the second year in a row, BCPS improved its average Star Rating. BCPS has the highest percentage of 5-Star schools among all medium and large school systems in the state. Twenty-six schools saw an increase in their overall Star Rating, and the number of 1-Star and 2-Star schools dropped by six in 2025.

Here are a few more highlights:

Elementary Schools

Carroll Manor
Chapel Hill
Fifth District
Fort Garrison
Hampton
Hillcrest
Honeygo
Jacksonville
Kingsville

Lutherville Laboratory
Oliver Beach
Pinewood
Riderwood
Rodgers Forge
Sparks
Stoneleigh
Timonium
West Towson
Woodbridge

High Schools

Eastern Technical
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Hereford
Western School of Technology

Significant improvement in higher-rated schools: 4-Star schools increased by 82%

5-Star schools rose by 21%

64 schools improved their Maryland Star Ratings

Every student group across all levels demonstrated improved proficiency in math and English language arts.

Eastern Technical High School ranked #1 in Maryland.

Western School of Technology ranked #4 in Maryland.

(Eastern Tech and Western Tech also ranked 1st and 5th in Maryland by U.S. News and World Report.)

Fifth District ES - #1

Rodgers Forge ES - #2

West Towson ES - #3

Chapel Hill ES - #4

Kingsville ES - #6

Carroll Manor ES - #7

Pinewood ES - #8

Timonium ES - #9

Honeygo ES - #10

Learn more in a BCPS news release and fact sheet.

Recognizing Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11

With immense gratitude, we honor all who served, including the many veterans who are part of Team BCPS.

During Native American Heritage Month, and throughout the year, BCPS celebrates the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans and honors the resilience of Indigenous people.

Seneca Elementary School special educator shares her Indigenous heritage

La Stelshia Speaks serves on Tribal Council, regularly returns to ancestral lands

Both of La Stelshia Speaks’ parents have Indigenous heritage. Her father descended from the Piscataway tribe, based largely in Maryland, and her mother from the Cheroenhaka tribe, based in Virginia, but Speaks is connected, genealogically, to many Indigenous American lineage lines.

While Speaks grew up in Baltimore City, she spent summers visiting her grandmother in Virginia and learning about Cheroenhaka culture. “My grandmother instilled my family history in me,” she says. “As a child, I knew my family tree going back for generations, and I had the honor to personally know family members born in the 1800s.”

Her interest in family culture and history has only grown as she has gotten deeper into her own genealogy and begun supporting others to gain knowledge of their genealogy and heritage. “My auntie has the family Bible,” Speaks continues, “but I am considered the young historian in the family. I have three or four composition books full of family history, and I am the person in the family they call for recipes and natural medicines.”

Speaks is a Multi-tiered Support System resource support/special educator at Seneca Elementary School. A new blog post explores her roots and how she shares her heritage with others.

Join us for Community Conversations on the FY27 operating budget!

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers is hosting a series of Community Conversations to gather input regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget. Staff, families, and stakeholders are encouraged to join us from 6-7 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, November 11

Westchester Elementary School, 2300 Old Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228

Thursday, November 13

Woodholme Elementary School, 300 Mount Wilson Ln., Pikesville 21208

Thursday, November 20

Colgate Elementary School, 7735 Gough St., Baltimore 21224

Monday, November 24

Mays Chapel Elementary School, 12250 Roundwood Rd., Timonium 21093

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Online learning program applications now open for the 2026-2027 school year

The BCPS Online Learning Program is accepting applications from families interested in enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year. The program is only open to students who will be entering Grades 5-12 next school year. The application deadline is Friday, December 12.

Mark your calendar for upcoming BCPS/CCBC Financial Aid Information Sessions

Members of the Class of 2026 and their parents/caregivers are invited to join BCPS school counselors and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) representatives for a comprehensive review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the financial aid process. The sessions will include tips for completing the application and opportunities to ask questions and receive personalized assistance. Registration recommended. In preparation for this event, attendees are asked to obtain Federal Student Aid IDs and bring a BCPS-issued computer.

Library workshop focuses on boundaries and consent

Baltimore County Public Library is offering a free "Empower Your Parenting" workshop for families on teaching kids about boundaries and consent. The workshop is offered in collaboration with TurnAround and will explore types of boundaries, the pillars of consent, and tips to guide children with confidence and care. Children are welcome to attend with their caregivers. The following are upcoming dates and locations in 2025:

Wednesday, November 12, from 10-11 a.m.

Catonsville branch, 1100 Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228

Thursday, December 4, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Reisterstown Branch, 21 Cockeys Mill Rd., Reisterstown 21136

Resources available for Team BCPS students, families, and staff affected by the federal government shutdown

The federal government shutdown and delays with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are impacting families across Baltimore County and the state. BCPS remains committed to providing comprehensive resources and support to students and families impacted by the government shutdown.

Support offered by BCPS includes free meals at every school; food and other essential resources at our Community School; food, housing, and other essential resources through the Homeless Education Programs Office; and assistance from school counselors, social workers, pupil personnel workers and psychologists.

More information, including additional community resources, is available in a BCPS community message.

Baltimore County Government also has gathered resources to help with essentials like keeping the lights on, applying for unemployment benefits, finding housing assistance or connecting with services for people experiencing homelessness.

Next week is American Education Week

BCPS annually observes American Education Week, which is November 17-21 this year. Principals have flexibility to plan classroom observations and other activities for the week but also to design engagement opportunities throughout the year that best meet the needs of their school communities. A recent news release addresses BCPS plans for the week including recognition of Wednesday, November 19, as Education Support Professionals Day, and Friday, November 21, as Substitute Educators Day. Schools will share their specific plans with families.

for your viewing pleasure

"Pumpkin Pastels" by Sophia R., Grade 3, Reisterstown Elementary School

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

The 2025 Tee Off for Team BCPS Golf Classic was a huge success!

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., held its 11th Annual Tee Off for Team BCPS Golf Classic at Greystone Golf Course on October 17. The weather was perfect, the participants were excited to enjoy the pristine golf course, and our sponsors were happy to support our mission-driven work. The event raised more than $100,000 to support BCPS school communities.

A new Mission Moment blog post celebrates the BCPS mental health professionals honored at the event and acknowledges event sponsors and planners as well as Greystone Golf Course. More photos from the golf classic can be found on Flickr.

View the full meeting and see the administrative appointments online.

Superintendent shares school system updates at latest press conference

Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers held a media availability on November 5. Topics covered included Maryland Report Card results, the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget, resources for BCPS students and families impacted by the government shutdown and funding halt for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and American Education Week. Notes from the press conference can be found online.

a word from Dr. Rogers

November 10, 2025

Dear Reader:

Last week, BCPS celebrated some good news with the release of the 2025 MD Report Card. As I highlighted in my November 4 community message, available in English and Spanish, the data for BCPS shows significant improvement thanks to our strong focus on providing the highest quality instruction and critical supports for all students, fostering safe and welcoming environments, and facilitating continuous improvement.

For the second year in a row, BCPS has the most 5-Star schools in Maryland and has improved its average Star Rating. I applaud the 26 schools that have increased their Star Ratings and the 23 schools that are rated 5 stars.

As we acknowledge these accomplishments, we also intensify our efforts to build on this momentum and strive for even greater success for all our schools.

It takes all of us working together – staff, students, families, and community – to build a world-class school system that we can all be proud of. Thank you for all that you have done thus far; our collective efforts are making a positive difference.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent