November 4, 2025 Staff and Community Update: BCPS Leads the State in the Number of 5-Star Schools for the Second Consecutive Year
Dear Team BCPS -
Today (Nov. 4), the Maryland State Department of (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.
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.
Image Source: Maryland State Department of Education
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.
Image Source: Maryland State Department of Education
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.
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.
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, fostering safe and welcoming environments, and facilitating continuous improvement. We will continue to utilize multi-pronged, evidence-based strategies to fast forward achievement and ensure our schools are meeting the needs of all students. BCPS will remain focused on leveraging multiple and frequent measures to evaluate student progress and assess where we need to intensify efforts.
It takes all of us working together – staff, students, families, and community – to build a world-class school system that we can all be proud of. Thank you for your partnership; our collective efforts are making a positive difference.
BCPS 2025 Maryland Report Card Highlights
Regards,
Dr. Myriam Rogers
Superintendent
Resources
Informational resources are posted on the Maryland Report Card website to help families understand and analyze the school report cards. The tools include a user guide and one-page documents that summarize calculations for elementary, middle, and high schools.
2025 Maryland School Report Card