Nearly 65% Of Schools Improve Star Ratings On Latest Report Card

Seventy-three county schools – nearly 65% of those assessed under the Maryland Report Card five-star accountability system – increased their rating in the 2018-2019 school year, with 20 of those moving up two stars, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education. Overall, 62% of AACPS schools earned four or five stars, and 95% earned three or more stars.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has 23 five-star schools, compared to five a year ago. More than 20% of AACPS schools rated on the report card earned five stars, the highest percentage among Maryland’s five largest school systems.

“This is a reflection of the tremendous work our incredible employees in classrooms, leadership and support roles continue to do at every level by focusing on every single individual student,” Superintendent George Arlotto said. “While we anticipated increases related to the elementary curriculum piece, these results surpass that. We quadrupled the number of five-star schools in our county and doubled the number of four-star schools.”

The following elementary schools increasing their ratings by two stars: Arnold, Belvedere, Cape St. Claire, Four Seasons, George Cromwell, Germantown, Glendale, Jacobsville, Meade Heights, Mills-Parole, Oak Hill, Odenton, Park, Piney Orchard, Riviera Beach, Severna Park, Shady Side, South Shore, Southgate, and Waugh Chapel.

The ratings, calculated from data collected during the 2018-2019 school year, are the second issued using the metrics that are part of Maryland’s accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The report card incorporates multiple indicators of school performance and calculates them into a final score to arrive at a rating of one to five stars. While the specific indicators vary between the elementary, middle and high school levels, a school’s score generally includes academic achievement; academic growth; school quality, which includes attendance, climate and access to a well-rounded curriculum; college and career readiness; and the progress of English-language learners.

Here’s how Severna Park and Broadneck feeder schools ranked:

Five Stars

Arnold Elementary

Belvedere Elementary

Benfield Elementary

Cape St. Claire Elementary

Folger McKinsey Elementary

Jones Elementary

Severna Park Elementary

Severna Park Middle

Severna Park High

Shipley's Choice Elementary

Four Stars

Broadneck Elementary

Broadneck High

Magothy River Middle

Severn River Middle