Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has shared via a press release that the school system recorded notable improvement in this year’s Maryland School Report Card results, with 95.5% of schools earning a rating of three stars or higher, well above the statewide average of 86%, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Of the 200 MCPS schools evaluated for the 2024–2025 school year, 26 schools improved their rating by one star compared to last year. Overall, 53.5% of MCPS schools achieved a four- or five-star rating, marking a 3.5-point increase over the previous year and surpassing the state average of 43%.
“This rise in school performance clearly shows that MCPS is moving toward excellence,” said Superintendent Thomas Taylor. “We celebrate this strong momentum and the incredible work of our students and educators. And our commitment doesn’t waver: we will keep pushing until 100% of our schools reach four stars and above, making sure that an outstanding educational experience is the reality for every student in Montgomery County.”
The Maryland School Report Card evaluates schools on academic achievement, English language proficiency, school quality, and student success. Elementary and middle schools are additionally assessed on academic progress, while high schools are measured by graduation rates and postsecondary readiness. Each school receives an overall score and a Star rating on a scale of one to five, with five representing the highest level of performance.
MCPS officials said the gains align with the district’s Strategic Plan to advance academic excellence through initiatives such as:
- Delivering high-impact, standards-aligned instruction tailored to diverse student needs.
- Using real-time data and School Improvement Plan (SIP) analysis to guide instruction.
- Maintaining consistency through the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum.
- Providing targeted support from cross-functional district teams.
- Implementing the Chronic Absenteeism Action Plan and emphasizing student and staff safety.
District leaders said these strategies will continue as MCPS pursues its goal of having all schools earn four stars or higher in future report cards. School-by-school data, including disaggregated student performance, is available on the Maryland Report Card website.
