The following statement was submitted by Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser
Today. 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 were calculated using 2025-2026 school year data.
The 2026 Maryland School Report Card shows that BCPS has the second-highest number of 5-Star schools (25) in the state and, for the third year in a row, improved its average Star Rating.
Thirty-six schools saw an increase in their overall Star Rating, and the number of 2-Star and 3-Star schools decreased by 12 percent in 2026.
Highlights of System Performance
The number of 4-Star BCPS schools increased by 17.
The number of 5-Star BCPS schools increased by 2.
The majority of BCPS schools had no change in Star Rating from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026.
Elementary schools demonstrated improvement in all indicators of the Report Card, including Academic Achievement in English Language Arts and Mathematics, English Language Proficiency, and School Quality and Student Success.
Academic progress, as measured by growth in English language arts and mathematics, science proficiency, and credit for completion of a well-rounded curriculum, improved for elementary schools.
Middle schools demonstrated improvement in the Academic Achievement and School Quality and Student Success indicators.
Student groups across elementary, middle, and high schools demostrated improvement in math.
Most student groups across elementary, middle, and high schools demonstrated improvement in English language arts.
High schools demonstrated improvement in the Academic Achievement, English Language Proficiency, Readiness for Postsecondary Success, and School Quality and Student Success indicators.
Out of 162 BCPS schools with accountability data for 2025-2026, as outlined by MSDE:
25 schools earned a Star Rating of 5
68 schools earned a Star Rating of 4
50 schools earned a Star Rating of 3
17 schools earned a Star Rating of 2
2 schools 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 2026 Star Rating average is 3.6, which is 0.2 points higher than our 2025 Star average of 3.4.
Of the 109 elementary schools that received a 2026 Star Rating, 28 increased their rating by one star.
More than 70 percent of our elementary schools (77) kept the same Star Rating, and only four elementary schools received one star lower than their 2025 rating.
Of the 27 middle schools that received a Star Rating, six increased their rating by one star, and one saw a one-star decrease. The majority of BCPS middle schools (20) maintained their 2025 Star Ratings.
Among BCPS’ 24 comprehensive high schools, most schools (21) maintained their Star Rating from the previous year. Two schools increased their ratings by one star, and one school received a rating lower than its 2025 rating.
Over the last three years, our schools have made significant progress on this important marker of progress and achievement.
We celebrate the 36 schools that increased their Star Ratings, and the 25 schools that are rated 5-Stars!
BCPS staff have worked relentlessly to advance excellence for all students, and we are seeing the positive results of our collective efforts to provide the highest-quality instruction and programs for students.
We will continue to build on this momentum and strive for excellence in all our schools.
As the state works to redesign the accountability system to increase transparency and accountability, BCPS will remain focused on improving educational opportunities and outcomes for all students throughout BCPS.
Students come first in all we do, and we will continue to leverage various measures to evaluate student progress and make necessary adjustments to effect positive and meaningful change for our students and system.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Heiser
Superintendent