Baltimore County

From the Chesapeake Bay to the Maryland–Pennsylvania Line, Baltimore County wraps around but does not include Baltimore City. With more than 800,000 residents, Baltimore County is diverse with residents living in suburban, rural, and urban neighborhoods, reflecting the nation's blend of cultures and backgrounds. In serving this community, Baltimore County Public Schools offers students a wide range of academic and enrichment opportunities.

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An overview of Baltimore County Public Schools

26th largest school system in the U.S., 3rd largest in Maryland

$1.5 billion budget, FY 2013

107,033 students (as of 9/28/12)

• 55.6% minority enrollment (9/28/12)
• 3.8% English language learner enrollment (10/31/11)
• 44.8% eligible for free/reduced price meals (10/31/11)

174 schools, programs, and centers

17,000 employees, including 8,850 classroom teachers

7,300 graduates annually

• 87.5% of graduates immediately pursue higher education
• $103.7 million in scholarships reported by 2012 graduates

International Baccalaureate at two high schools

Average of 17 Advanced Placement courses at each high school; one-third of all high
schools offer 20 or more AP courses

70,142 bus riders daily (10/31/11)

• 17,615 school bus stops (6/30/10)
• 13.5 million miles logged each year (as of 6/30/10)

11.5 million nutritious meals served during the 2010-2011 school year

• 3,057,855 breakfast meals served
• 8,455,831 lunch meals served

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Accomplishments and Accolades

Academic

•  More than half of all BCPS traditional and magnet high schools have been named among the nation's top high schools.

• 14 schools were named among the top nine percent of high schools in the nation by The Washington Post (May 2012) .
• Six schools placed among the 1,000 on the "America's Best High Schools"  list created by The Daily Beast/Newsweek magazine (May 2012).
• Nine schools listed on U.S. News & World Report's "Best High Schools" list, including four ranking among the 500 best high schools in the nation.

• Recognized by Education Week for having the fourth highest graduation rate among the nation's largest school districts (June 2012).
• Recognized by the Schott Foundation for having the third highest graduation rate for African American males among the nation's large school districts (August 2010).
• Fourteen schools named National No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools, 18 schools recognized as Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
• Recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America" (2004 and 2006-2012).

Technology

• Recognized in 2009 by EducationWeek, the International Society for Technology in Education, National Public Radio, and others for development of a groundbreaking partnership among Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, The Johns Hopkins University, area software developers, and others. Launched first-of-its-kind virtual learning environment as a result of partnership.
• Two Outstanding Leadership Awards from the International Society for Technology in Education (June 2005 & April 2008).

Management

• ISO 9001 international certification for management (of Curriculum and Instruction, Fiscal Services-Purchasing, Technology, and Human Resources) – BCPS is the only school system in Maryland to achieve this designation
• National Mentorship Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program (2010).
• The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Purchasing Institute (2005-2010)
• The Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International (for every budget since FY 2005).
• Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International (every year since 1996).
• The Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (for every budget since FY 2005).
• The Government Finance Officers Association’s Award of Financial Reporting Achievement (every year since 1996).

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Student Achievement Highlights
(2010-2011 results)

Elementary and middle school reading and mathematics Maryland School Assessment (MSA) scores have risen to their highest levels in five years.

The percentage of English language learners achieving proficiency on the 20II reading and mathematics MSA was 70% and 76% respectively. This represents a I3 percentage point gain in reading since 2007 and a I0 percentage point gain in mathematics since 2007. Students who received ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) services for one to three years are included.

By the end of Grade I2, 88% of all students passed the high school assessment in Algebra/Data Analysis, 84% in Biology, 87% in English, and 9I% in Government.

Advanced Placement (AP) participation has continued to increase from I2% in 2007 to I7% in 20II, the highest level in five years.

The average number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered in each high school was sustained at I7; one-third of all high schools offer 20 ormore AP courses.

For the Class of 20II, 7I% of BCPS high schools met or exceeded the national SAT participation rate compared to 67% for the Class of 20I0.

The percentage of highly qualified teachers increased from 95% in 2007 to 98% in 20II, and the percentage of highly qualified paraprofessionals increased from 92% in 2007 to 98% in 20II.

The percentage of highly qualified middle school mathematics teachers was sustained at 99% from 2009 to 20II.

The percentage of newly hired highly qualified teachers in Title I schools was sustained at I00% from 2009 to 20II.

The systemwide four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate increased from 79% in 2009 to 8I% in 20I0.

In 20II, I00% of schools received school-level data and communicated student-level achievement results to the community.

In 20II, teachers, administrators, and clerical staff had access to at least one computer; and the ratio of students to computers was 2.5 to I.

The student enrollment projections for September 20I0 continued to be I00% accurate.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a college preparatory program for students in the "academic middle," was implemented effectively in 22 high schools and 8 middle schools.