Baltimore County Public Schools

Schools

All areas in Baltimore County are unincorporated; as there are no incorporated cities in Baltimore County, all place names are neighborhoods, and have no legal jurisdiction over their areas.

Elementary schools

There are currently 106 elementary schools:

Middle schools

In the mid-1980s, Baltimore County shifted the grades in the intermediate-level schools. Until this time, the schools were called "junior high schools" and had grades 7-9. The 9th grade was moved into the high school and the 6th grade was moved in from nearby elementary schools, creating the current "middle school" model with grades 6-8. There are currently 30 middle schools:

High schools

There are currently 25 high schools:

High School Advanced Placement Scores 2015

Pure magnet schools

These schools can be attended by any Baltimore County student. Students attend these schools as full-time students.

Specialty schools

Issues

In 1978, due to a dip in enrollment projections the elimination of six elementary schools and the repurposing of two middle schools was proposed by the board and eventually implemented by then superintendent Robert Y. Dubel despite significant public objection . At the January 11, 1978 board meeting: Dundalk, Gray Manor, Inverness, Lutherville, Parkville, and Towson elementary schools were proposed to be closed; Eastwood and Ruxton elementary schools proposed to be repurposed as special education facilities; and Towsontown Junior to be repurposed as Central Vocational-Technical Center.

Overcrowding in some elementary schools due to population growth became an issue in 2007, particularly at four elementary schools in the Towson area — Hampton, Riderwood, Rodgers Forge, and Stoneleigh — which were said to have 451 more children than their 1,665-pupil capacity. In December 2007, a parents' advocacy group, Towson Families United, called for construction of a new elementary school to alleviate overcrowding, with the group threatening a demonstration near the courthouse office of Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr.. On May 6, 2008, the School Board announced that a new school would open in 2010 near the existing Ridge Ruxton School on Charles Street.

Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.)

To create 21st century learning environments that allow for student-centered learning experiences within the school system's "Framework for Teaching and Learning", Baltimore County Public Schools has established Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.). S.T.A.T. is aligned with the school system's "Theory of Action", part of which is to "ensure that every school has an equitable, effective digital learning environment". The work that supports S.T.A.T.’s goals includes the district’s conversions of curriculum, instruction, assessment, organizational development, infrastructure, communications, policy, and budget.

Additional information and notability

BCPS has a 1.76 billion budget as per 2016, with a total enrollment of 111,127 students. The majority of its students are white (42.1%) and a 38.8% black student enrollment. Asians and Latinos are a minority with 6.7% and 7.7% enrollment respectively. In 2014, Sean McComb of Patapsco High School was named National Teacher of the Year. Superintendent S. Dallas Dance was appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans in August 2014. The school system was accepted into the prestigious 32-member League of Innovative Schools in February 2013. BCPS is the only school system in Maryland to be designated as ISO 9001 international certification for management.

Leadership

The school district is led by superintendent S. Dallas Dance and his respective cabinet, consisting of a chief of staff as well as academic, communications, administrative operations, and human resource officers.