County students showed growth in their learning in nine of 16 reported areas during the 2025–2026 school year and continued to outperform the state in all but one area, according to Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Results in two additional assessed areas – U.S. Government and Social Studies – have yet to be released. Overall, the results culminate the final administration of MCAP, which is being replaced by the Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR). Students will participate in the initial MSTAR assessments during the 2026–2027 school year.
As part of MCAP, students are assessed in English Language Arts in grades 3 through 8 and Grade 10; mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and Algebra I; science in grades 5 and 8; and social studies in Grade 10.
AACPS recorded its largest gains in fifth-grade science, where proficiency increased by 6.6 percentage points, and Algebra I, where proficiency rose by 4.3 percentage points. Seventh-grade mathematics proficiency increased by 1.5 percentage points. Where decreases occurred, they were generally modest, with the largest—a 2.1 percentage-point decline—occurring in sixth-grade English Language Arts.
“Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard, and these results demonstrate meaningful progress across our school system,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “We are encouraged that performance improved in more areas than it declined and that our students continue to outperform their peers statewide in nearly every tested area. We will celebrate and build upon those successes while carefully examining every result to determine where adjustments or additional supports may benefit students. This data is an important tool that helps us make thoughtful decisions in the best interests of instruction, learning, and mastery for every student.”
AACPS proficiency rates exceeded state results in all tested areas except fifth-grade mathematics. In seventh-grade mathematics, for example, the county’s proficiency rate was 9.8 percentage points higher than the state rate. In English Language Arts, AACPS outperformed the state by 7.4 percentage points in Grade 10 and 5.9 points in Grade 8.
The county’s overall mathematics proficiency rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 29.3 percent, compared with the state rate of 27.1 percent. AACPS was also recognized in the 2025 Education Scorecard as one of two Maryland school systems leading the state in increased mathematics performance.
The results come as Maryland reported its highest overall English Language Arts and mathematics proficiency rates since the first full administration of MCAP in the 2021–2022 school year. State officials also noted that Maryland ranks among the nation’s fastest-recovering states in reading and mathematics.
Assessment results are one of several measures AACPS uses to identify strengths, determine where additional support may be beneficial, and inform instructional approaches and decisions. The latest MCAP results complement other recent indicators of student progress across the school system.
On Advanced Placement exams, 10,757 exams – more than 67 percent – earned a score of 3 or higher, the generally accepted standard for earning college credit. That rate was nearly 4 percentage points higher than the previous year. The percentage of students deemed College and Career Ready through PSAT and SAT performance also increased.
Student attendance improved as well, with attendance rates increasing and chronic absenteeism declining at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for the second consecutive year.
A summary of results can be found here. School-by-school results can be found here.