Dear MCPS Community:
In the 2022-2023 school year, we continued our theme of “All Together Now.” This collaborative approach has yielded much to celebrate, including significant gains in early literacy at the elementary level and continued progress toward college, career and community readiness throughout their experience in the district. Among our accomplishments:
- Launched the Pathway to College, Career, and Community Readiness, a new structure of accountability to help families, students and teachers work together to ensure student success. The Pathway to College, Career, and Community Readiness helps identify students’ strengths and areas of improvement to ensure each student receives the support they need.
- $262 million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2023.
- 25,195 students took rigorous Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes.
- Number of dually enrolled students increased from 1,647 to 1,713.
- 1,975 2023 graduates earned the Seal of Biliteracy.
- Students completed more than 1.5 million hours in service learning.
- All 25 high schools earned spots on the 2023 Best High Schools list published by U.S. News & World Report. Five ranked in the top 500 nationally, and nine were ranked in the top 30 in Maryland.
- 92% of MCPS schools earned 3 or more stars on the 2023 Maryland School Report Card.
- An antiracist system action plan in response to the findings from our Antiracist Audit was developed, marking a strong framework to remove the barriers that impact our most marginalized students and to foster a strong sense of belonging in MCPS.
- 194 graduating seniors received Ruth and Norman Rales – Patricia Baier O’Neill $10,000 scholarships from the MCPS Educational Foundation.
- Dion Jones, a 3rd grade teacher at Fairland Elementary School, was one of 40 educators across the nation to receive the Milken Educator Award of $25,000.
As we continued to work on supporting students in their academic success, especially coming out of the pandemic, we also worked hard to meet the social, emotional and mental health needs of students. Specifically, we developed student prevention and intervention strategies to target salient risk factors regarding substance use, chronic absenteeism and hate bias. Through large community forums, an attendance action plan, and a plan to address bullying and hate bias, we are working together to foster a safe, welcoming learning environment for all students in MCPS.
As we look ahead, we are grateful to be supported by a community committed to public education as evidenced by the record $3.16 billion dollar operating budget, which will provide compensation increases for targeted support for our students coupled with additional support for our staff, and additional resources for our schools. Thank you for your support of our schools.
Sincerely,
Karla Silvestre, President
Montgomery County Board of Education
Monifa B. McKnight, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools