Led by improvements in 10 of 14 student group categories and with 11 of 16 comprehensive high schools posting graduation rates over 90 percent, Anne Arundel County Public Schools saw its overall graduation rate rise for the second consecutive year, data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education shows.
The district’s four-year graduation rate of 88.9 percent is 0.4 points higher than a year ago. The rate measures the percentage of students who graduated four years after entering high school. In the last two years, the district’s rate has climbed by 1.2 points, and the Class of 2025 rate is more than 2.5 percentage points higher than the statewide rate.
“This data reflects incredibly hard work on the part of so many people to help students Belong, Grow, and Succeed,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “Increasing graduation rate in a school district our size is no easy task, and I am very proud of everyone at every level because success truly takes everyone in our district.”
Among student groups, the graduation rate for Economically Disadvantaged students rose by 2.23 points, marking the third consecutive year of increases. Student groups where rates increased for the second straight year included students of two or more races (2.49 points), students eligible for free and reduced-price meals (1.87 points), White students (1.66 points), students with Section 504 accommodations (1.39 points), African American students (1.14 points), students who are military connected (1.13 points) and students with disabilities (1.11 points).
Among comprehensive high schools, Glen Burnie High School’s graduation rate jumped by 6.58 points, pushing the school’s overall rate to 91.5. Other notable school gains were seen at Southern High School (3.41 points), Northeast High School (2.06 points), Broadneck High School (1.61 points) and Crofton High School (1.58 points).
Eight of the county’s comprehensive high schools have graduation rates higher than 95 percent and no comprehensive high school has a rate lower than 82 percent.
The increase in graduation rate is the latest in a series of positive data points for the school district. AACPS saw a 36 percent increase in the number of five-star schools (15) on the latest Maryland Report Card. Overall, 53 percent of AACPS schools are four- or five-star schools and 95 percent earned three stars or higher.
The district has also seen significant gains in the number of students meeting College and Career Readiness standards on the PSAT and SAT, and last year saw 67.4 percent of Advanced Placement exam test-takers earn scores of 3 or higher, the generally accepted level for college credit. Chronic absenteeism has dropped for two consecutive years and is now below 20 percent.
“There is no question that there is more work for us to do, but we are building on a very solid foundation and continuing to move to the place I know we can be: a premier school district in this country,” Dr. Bedell said.
More information on AACPS’ four-year graduation rates can be found by clicking here.
Statewide information can be found online by clicking here.