Maryland Schools Improve, Montgomery Leads Ratings

Maryland’s latest School Report Card showed broad improvement: nearly 89% of public schools earned three or more stars, and about half received four or five stars, with rising test scores and fewer chronic absences cited as contributing factors. Montgomery County doubled its five-star schools to 36, while Baltimore County added two to reach 25 but lost its statewide lead in that category. Prince George’s County had 39 schools gain a star and 14 lose one, though it still lagged much of the state in five-star schools; Baltimore City also improved, with two five-star schools and a record share earning at least three stars. State education leaders are working on a revised rating system expected next fall, with greater emphasis on student academic progress.