Schools

Failing Grades: Which Maryland Schools Miss the Mark?

Did Montgomery County Public Schools earn a passing grade in this national study? What grade would you give MCPS?

Several Maryland school districts were given letter grades on report cards compiled by the Brookings Institution, with Montgomery County schools earning a C- grade.

Nearby Washington, D.C., schools were ranked seventh, earning a B- grade in the rankings. Baltimore City Schools received the best score, but two other public schools systems earned Fs. 

Baltimore schools ranked 11th overall out of the country's largest school districts, for a B-grade. 

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At the bottom of the heap were the Anne Arundel and Howard County Schools, both earning F marks. While the index authors said the systems perform well in many areas, they needed improvement in needs improvement in the availability of alternative schools, accessible online information, restructuring or closing undersubscribed schools, and transportation.

The 2013 Education Choice and Competition Index is an annual guide to the conditions of K-12 school choice in the nation’s largest school districts, according to a news release.

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The rankings use data from 2013. To view data you can find the complete index on the Brookings Institution’s website.

  • Baltimore City Public Schools rank 11th with a score of 56 out of 100 points, a B- grade.
  • Baltimore County Public Schools rank 22nd with a score of 49 out of 100 points, a C grade.
  • Prince George’s County Public Schools rank 29th with a score of 47 out of 100 points, a C grade.
  • Montgomery County Public Schools rank 42nd with a score of 44 out of 100 points, a C- grade.
  • Anne Arundel County Public Schools rank 77th with a score of 33 out of 100 points, an F grade.
  • Howard County Public Schools rank 101st with a score of 24 out of 100 points, an F grade.
The country is in the middle of a K-12 education revolution that is characterized by many transformations — among them, a shift toward more choice by parents in where their children are educated with public funds, the index authors said. This shift is signified by the growth of public charter schools, the adoption of open enrollment systems for public schools, the expansion of statewide voucher programs, and continued increases in the availability of technology-based distance/virtual education.

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What letter grade would you give MCPS? Tell us in comments.


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