Baltimore County Has Most 5-Star Schools In State: See Report Card

Press release from Baltimore County Public Schools:

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — 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.

“The MD Report Card data indicates that BCPS has achieved significant growth and improvement on multiple measures of performance two years in a row in alignment with our strong focus on providing the highest quality instruction and critical supports for all students,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers. “We are encouraged by the forward progress of Team BCPS and applaud both the 26 schools that have increased their Star Ratings and the 23 schools that are rated 5 stars. As we celebrate this good news, we will build on this momentum and work towards greater success for all our schools.”

Highlights of System Performance

• The number of 4-Star BCPS schools has increased by 82 percent over the past two years.
• The number of 5-Star BCPS schools has increased by 21 percent over the past two years.
• All student groups at the elementary and secondary level demonstrated improved proficiency in math and English language arts.
• Academic achievement in English language arts and mathematics improved for elementary and middle schools.
• Academic progress, as measured by growth in English language arts and mathematics and credit for completion of a well-rounded curriculum, improved for elementary and middle schools.
• School quality and student success improved for elementary, middle, and high schools.

Out of 161 BCPS schools with accountability data for 2025 as outlined by MSDE—

• 23 schools earned a Star Rating of 5
• 51 schools earned a Star Rating of 4
• 60 schools earned a Star Rating of 3
• 26 schools earned a Star Rating of 2
• 1 school earned a Star Rating of 1

At the elementary and middle school level, schools are assessed on academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency, and school quality and student success. High schools are assessed on academic achievement, graduation rate, progress in achieving English language proficiency, readiness for post-secondary success, and school quality and student success.

The overall BCPS 2025 Star Rating average is 3.42, which is higher than the state rating of 3.35. Of the 109 elementary schools that received a Star Rating, 20 increased their rating by one star. The Star Ratings for more than 75 percent of our elementary schools (83) remained the same and only six elementary schools received one star lower than their 2024 rating.

Of the 27 middle schools that received a Star Rating, five increased their rating by one star and no middle schools decreased their ratings. The majority of BCPS middle schools (22) maintained their 2024 Star Ratings.

Among BCPS’ 24 high schools, most schools (21) maintained their Star Rating from the previous year. One school increased its rating by one star, and two schools received ratings lower than their 2024 ratings.

BCPS will continue to utilize multi-pronged, evidence-based strategies to fast forward achievement and ensure schools are meeting the needs of all students.

This press release was produced by Baltimore County Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.