U.S. News & World Report ranks BCPS high schools among best in state | |
BCPS high schools placed well in the annual U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools list released last week, with three placing in Maryland’s top 10 high schools. Eastern Technical High School, once again ranked first in Maryland, is ranked 46th nationally.
In addition to Eastern, Western School of Technology, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, and Hereford and Towson high schools ranked among the top 50 in Maryland.
Rankings of BCPS high schools can be found in a recent news release.
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BCPSfest 2026, the school system's annual back-to-school festival, was the best biggest and ever – drawing nearly 3,700 students and family members to New Town High School on August 22. The event featured 70 vendors and a Baltimore County Department of Health vaccine clinic and allowed families to connect with BCPS and community services and resources.
Participants enjoyed an Imagination Playground, registered to vote, dug for fossils, had their faces painted, rode bikes to blend healthy smoothies, played word games, learned Double-Dutch jump roping, visited food trucks, and much more.
New Town High School's Code Cardinal Varsity Cheerleaders and The Milford Mill Academy Marching Millers welcomed attendees. School mascots Blizzard, the wolf from Seneca Elementary School, Buzzy the Beaver from Milford Mill Academy, Hostensia from Westchester Elementary School, and Owin the Golden Owl from Owings Mills High School also greeted guests. And DJ Dexx of Three J's Entertainment kept the music flowing.
More photos from the event can be found in a Flickr album.
| | BCPS hosts New Educator Orientation for 300 educators new to the school system | | |
Last Monday through Thursday (August 17-20), BCPS welcomed approximately 300 recent hires to the New Educator Orientation (NEO) held at New Town High School and assigned schools.
NEO is a systemwide professional learning opportunity and part of the school system’s comprehensive induction program. Participants included teachers, school counselors, school nurses, occupational/physical therapists, school social workers, and speech-language pathologists who are new to BCPS. During NEO, educators strengthened professional competencies, met key stakeholders, and became familiar with system leaders, processes, procedures, and other valuable information.
More photos from the opening day of the event can be found on Flickr.
| | Summer Stories: Western Tech student Precious Uguru visits her home country, Nigeria | | |
In a new Summer Stories blog post, Precious Uguru, a rising Grade 10 student at Western School of Technology and Environmental Science, writes about spending a month in Nigeria, her home country.
Over the course of the month, she met many members of her extended family, went sightseeing, learned more about Nigerian history, and experienced the culture and traditions.
She writes: "In the past when people asked me where I’m from, I would always say Nigeria, but now that I’ve actually been and lived there, that phrase holds more weight for me."
| | 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! | | | |
Eastern Technical High School PTSA receives School of Excellence honors from National PTA
The Eastern Technical High School PTSA earned 2025-2027 National PTA School of Excellence honors. This national designation recognizes the PTA and school as an example of how strong, effective family-school partnerships enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
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Milford Mill Academy Principal Tryalah Shipman named BCPS Arts Administrator of the Year
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Tryalah Shipman, principal of Milford Mill Academy, has been named Arts Administrator of the Year for BCPS.
Integrated Arts Coordinator Sonia Synkowski wrote, "Mrs. Shipman consistently supports arts educators, celebrates student achievement, and fosters meaningful partnerships that elevate arts opportunities throughout the school community. Her belief in the transformative power of the arts has strengthened Milford Mill Academy's culture of excellence, making her an exceptional advocate whose leadership inspires students, staff, and the broader community alike."
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The summer ends. The reading continues.
Each week this summer, our wonderful friends in the Baltimore County Public Library Collection Department have recommended some of their favorite books for us to read. These books have taken us to other times and places and introduced us to unforgettable characters and situations. This is the last week for the 2026 series. Please join us in thanking this fantastic team for their outstanding recommendations: Jackie Greenberg, Noel Knepper, Todd Krueger, Maureen Roberts, and Jamie Watson.
And please remember to stop by your local library branch year-round for more great books and to take part in their many activities.
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The BCPL Collection team – left photo: Noel Knepper, Jamie Watson, and Maureen Roberts. Right photo:Todd Krueger. Not pictured: Jackie Greenberg
This week's recommended books:
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Focus on Families
from BCPS Parent University
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The Baltimore County Bureau of Behavioral Health is conducting a survey to better understand the behavioral health needs of Baltimore County students and families.
Your input will help shape how behavioral health funding is spent in Baltimore County schools. All responses are completely anonymous, and the survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. The survey will remain open until Monday, September 14.
(This survey is supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports.)
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Get ready for the new school year!
The school year begins on August 31! Here are some tips for getting ready:
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Create a my BCPS account for parents/guardians' access to the Focus parent portal and Schoology. Focus is a web-based system that allows parents to monitor their child’s grades and assignments and stay in touch with teachers.
- Complete your child’s Student Emergency Information Form in Focus or at their home school so you’re contacted about school closings, illnesses, and important updates. Notify the school if your information changes during the school year.
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- Plan to attend back-to-school activities at your children’s schools.
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Learn about Parent University and consider participating in an upcoming workshop and/or event.
| | Students ages 14-21 invited to apply to become members of the new Baltimore County Youth Council | | | | |
Youth ages 14-21 can apply now to serve on the new Baltimore County Youth Council. Young people from all backgrounds, experiences, and communities are encouraged to apply.
The 12 selected council members will share their perspectives on issues affecting young people and help identify ways to strengthen communities. Members will participate in regular meetings and activities focused on leadership development, community service, youth advocacy, and engagement with county leaders and community organizations.
| | "Self Portrait with Violin" by Diogratia O., Grade 8, Pikesville Middle School. This artwork earned best in show 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
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Another successful Stuff the Bus event!
Hundreds of community members turn out to support BCPS students
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On August 15, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., held its fourth annual Stuff the Bus event at the Walmart Supercenter in Cockeysville.
In just four hours, more than 250 community members donated more than $20,000 worth of school supplies and stuffed three BCPS buses to help kick off the school year.
In a new Mission Moment blog post, the foundation thanks its two major partners: Walmart and Media Star Promotions, as well as donors, the Stuff the Bus Committee, and more than 60 volunteers. Volunteers included foundation board members and colleagues from their businesses, community school facilitators, Raven’s Roost 52, Girls On The Run, Boy Scouts of America, New Town High School’s AVID program, staff from vendors who serve BCPS, and many others.
| | Donate school supplies for BCPS students at Baltimore County Public Library branches | | |
Baltimore County Public Library is once again partnering with The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., to hold a school supply drive through Sunday, September 13.
Customers can bring the school supplies to the BCPL's 18 open branches during normal business hours, which are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop off the items in any of the bins labeled school supply drive.
| | Highlights from Dr. Heiser | | |
August 24, 2026
Dear Team BCPS:
One week to go before the start of another great school year! Across BCPS, the excitement is building.
Early last week, we welcomed new educators to the school system and spent a few days helping them get oriented. Then, on Friday, we held the annual Administrative and Supervisory Meeting, which was my first chance to share my vision for the school year with a large audience of our school and central office administrators.
The week concluded with BCPSfest, which was a joyous gathering of BCPS students and parents eager to learn more about school system and community resources and participate in hands-on learning activities.
Today is the first day back in school for our amazing cadre of educators and other 10-month employees. The work they do directly with students is at the heart of this school system, and we deeply appreciate them.
As the first day nears, I encourage parents to start laying the groundwork for school success by making sure that children get back on their schoolyear sleeping and eating schedules.
We are busy getting ready to greet students on Monday, August 31; we want to be sure that they are getting ready to return.
For more about our plans for this school year, tune in to my back-to-school press conference, which will air live today (Monday, August 24, at 10 a.m.).
Sincerely,
Bill Heiser, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Upcoming Board meetings
All are welcome to attend
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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
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204
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