BCPS improves MCAP scores for the second consecutive year -- This Week in BCPS

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

BCPS improves MCAP scores for the second consecutive year

More than a dozen schools achieved double-digit increases on state assessments

The Maryland State Department of Education released data on August 26 showing that BCPS students have made performance gains for the second year in a row on the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics state assessments (known as MCAP).

Eighty BCPS schools achieved increases in the percentage of students scoring proficient in both ELA and math. BCPS students made gains on 14 of 16 English and math assessment data points. In less than three years, BCPS has shown the greatest gain in ELA achievement since 2019. The BCPS rate of improvement in ELA for 2025 (3.1 percent) exceeds the statewide improvement percentage (2.4 percent).

More details about BCPS progress can be found in a community message in English and Spanish.

BCPS celebrates successful start to school year

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers greets students at Perry Hall Middle.

State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright (r) chats with BCPS Teacher of the Year Brittany Jakubowski at Catonsville Middle.

More than 110,000 students streamed into 174 schools, centers, and programs on August 25 as BCPS opened its doors to the 2025-2026 school year.

As the new school year begins, BCPS is nearly 100 percent fully staffed, with fewer than 42 vacancies remaining as of August 22. At least 141 of the system’s schools have no vacancies, and 97 percent of the schools with vacancies have two or fewer openings.

A BCPS news release highlights new initiatives and policies for the school year. Photos from the first week can be found in several albums on Flickr. In addition, a special photo album contains more than 150 first day photos submitted by students, families, and school staff.

Application process for 2026-2027 magnet programs begins at noon on Monday, Sept. 8

Application deadline: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

The application process for BCPS magnet programs will begin at noon on Monday, Sept. 8, with the release of magnet applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Descriptions of program offerings are available online.

Some key opportunities to learn more:

Magnet EXPO!

Saturday, September 20, from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

CCBC Catonsville Wellness and Athletic Center, 800 S. Rolling Rd., Catonsville 21228

Application Information Meetings

• Thursday, September 11, at 6 p.m.

Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Rd., Essex 21221

• Tuesday, September 16, at 6 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy, 3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill 21244

School-based Showcase Events

Students and families seeking additional information about specific programs can view school websites and/or participate in school-based magnet showcase events in September and October.

Dipesh Bhattari, Grade 12, Eastern Technical High School

Developing an app to make life easier for Towson University students

Dipesh Bhattari, a rising senior at Eastern Technical High School, is working with a friend (Samyam Shrestha, a Towson University sophomore) to make dining decisions easier for the 20,000 students of Towson University. The name of the project? The Tiger Dine app.

The app, still in development, will allow Towson University students to view the menus of all on-campus dining locations and to use an AI assistant to help them with their food choices.

Dipesh and Samyam are collaborating with the university and Towson's food partner on the project.

A new BCPS Close-Up blog post traces Dipesh's journey from Motipur, Nepal, to the United States, his cybersecurity studies, the development of the app, and his involvement in Eastern Tech's South Asian Student Union.

You're invited to BCPS Curriculum Night 2025

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to participate in the 2025 BCPS Curriculum Night. At the event, families can learn about BCPS curriculum and current system efforts to make improvements in English language arts, mathematics, early childhood education, English language development (ELD), and special education.

Families can talk one-on-one with BCPS staff about how to support students at home. Attendees will also have an opportunity to view curricular and instructional materials and engage with representatives from county government agencies and nonprofit partners.

Join us for Community Conversations on a new BCPS Strategic Plan

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers invites students, families, staff, and stakeholders to participate in Community Conversations focused on the development of a new strategic plan for the school system. The strategic plan will outline goals, initiatives, and strategies to advance student achievement.

Be "Here for It": Join us in participating in attendance campaign countywide spirit days

To celebrate September as Attendance Awareness month, the BCPS "Here for It" campaign has organized four countywide spirit days to bring attention to the importance of on-time, regular school attendance. Students and staff are encouraged to participate and to post to social media using the hashtags #BCPSHereForIt and #SchoolEveryDay.

Date	Theme	Suggested Action
Friday, September 5	"School Spirit Counts"	Wear school colors.
Friday, September 12	“Step Up for Success”	Wear cool, bright, or creative sneakers or shoes.
Friday, September 19	“Your Future is Bright”	Wear neon or bright colors.
Friday, September 26	“Team Up for Attendance”	Wear your favorite sports gear.

Applications open for countywide student leadership roles

Applications are open for middle and high school students interested in serving on the 2025-2026 Board of Selected Students or one of four Baltimore County Student Councils (BCSC) committees. The application deadline for both BOSS and the BCSC committees is Wednesday, September 24, at 11:59 p.m.

BOSS applications are open to students who are not already involved in student council/government leadership at their schools. BOSS members are asked to share their schools’ views with BCSC and to collaborate with other student leaders from across the county. BOSS will meet virtually, once a month, throughout the school year. Two students from each middle and high school will be selected. Students can apply by completing the BOSS Application found on the BCSC website.

The four BCSC committees accepting applications are the Environmental, Culture & Climate, Student Resources & Wellness, and Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Outreach committees. Interested students can apply by completing the application found on the BCSC website.

BCPS hosts event to recruit bus drivers and attendants, and building service, grounds, and cafeteria workers

Wednesday, September 17

Liberty Workforce Development Center (inside CCBC Building)

3637 Offutt Rd., Randallstown 21133

BCPS is hosting an in-person recruitment event to include an information session and pre-employment scheduling. This event is for individuals interested in school bus driver, bus attendant, grounds worker II, building service worker, and cafeteria worker positions. BCPS encourages applicants to apply online prior to attending this session, but walk-ins will be accepted. For more information, please call 443-809-7872.

Schedule for the day:

Bus Drivers/Bus Attendants – 9:30 a.m.

Building Service Workers – 10:30 a.m.

Grounds Workers II – 12 p.m.

Cafeteria Workers – 2 p.m.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

“It Takes a Village: Tapping into Community Resources to Get Involved in Your Child's Early Learning Community”

Friday, September 5, at 12:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop, presented by Dr. Keisha Wizzart from The Center for Family Success, will explore how community programs, support services, and partnerships can provide essential help and connection for young families as well as how early education settings can build community. Participants will learn how to build support networks with other families, teachers, and parents and access resources that promote school readiness and family stability. Registration required.

“Career and Technical Education 101”

Wednesday, September 10, at 12:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop, presented by MiVida Parham, BCPS coordinator of College, Career, and Technical Education, will introduce Career and Technical Education pathways in BCPS as well as the benefits of the programs and application and admission processes. Registration required.

“Internet Crimes Against Children”

Thursday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop will be presented by Joe Dugan, an internet safety specialist with the Maryland State Police ICAC Task Force. Participating parents and students will gain a better understanding of social media, online communities, issues of security, and the pitfalls of what can be encountered online. A Baltimore County Police detective will share new and old trends involving computer and cell phone applications and will present examples from cases where the detective has been involved. Registration required.

for your viewing pleasure

"Untitled" by Nala Wallace, Grade 12, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. This artwork is on display at BCPS headquarters/Greenwood in Building A as part of the 2026 Summer Art Enrichment Camp art exhibition.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Stuff the Bus 2025 – another success!

On August 22, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., held the third annual Dr. Tim Tooten’s Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive in partnership with the Hearst Cares Campaign. The event, held at Padonia International Elementary School and highlighted by WBAL TV, WBAL News Radio, and 98 Rock, brought in almost $35,000 worth of donated school supplies and almost $2,500 worth of monetary donations.

“We are ecstatic,” enthused Dr. Heather Wooldridge, the foundation’s associate director. “All these generous donations will go directly onto the shelves at our two Exchangerees - educator resource centers where teachers shop at no cost to themselves. BCPS teachers will be so happy and grateful to be able to select pens, pencils, filler paper, pocket folders, and so much more for their students and classrooms for free!”

A new Mission Moment blog post discusses the need for school supply donations year-round and highlights the many donors and volunteers who made Stuff the Bus such a success. More photos from the event can be found on Flickr.

Watch the full meeting, view the administrative appointment, and see the MCAP data community message online.

a word from Dr. Rogers

September 2, 2025

Dear Reader:

This past week was the first week of an entire school year full of inspired instruction, academic achievement, and student learning and growth.

Recently released state assessment data highlights the academic progress BCPS students and schools are making. We believe our system is

attaining these positive results and seeing increases in performance at a rate faster than the state average thanks to the tremendous efforts of Team BCPS educators, administrators, and students and the strategic investments in key focus areas that are fast forwarding system progress and keeping student achievement at the forefront.

As we look ahead, we will continue to move with urgency to sharpen our focus on the fundamental components for effective teaching and learning, set high expectations for all students, and collaborate on effective solutions to increase student performance.

Please join us in supporting our students and educators – as a volunteer, partner, booster, or advocate.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent