Why is this urgent?

Schools that support the whole child address not only academic achievement, but also mental, physical, and behavioral health.

This comprehensive approach creates a sense of belonging and helps develop the social and emotional skills needed for lifelong success and responsible citizenship.

Equity Commitment

We believe each student deserves to thrive in a learning environment that prioritizes their social, emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral health and well-being alongside academic achievement. By integrating these supports and fostering a positive school climate, we aim to create equitable access to opportunities for students to succeed in school and life.

The data below indicates AACPS’ progress toward the goals as stated in this Priority area of the Strategic Plan.
To view a scorecard document that shows AACPS’ progress toward all five goals, click here.

Goal A

Increase student and family awareness of, access to, and use of available social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports.

Student Group Analysis	Black/ African American	Hispanic	Multiracial	White	Special Education	English Learners	Econ. Disadv.
ES	6.5	6.9	6.5	7.0	7.0	6.6	6.5
MS	3.6	4.2	4.0	4.0	4.4	4.6	3.9
HS	3.8	4.2	4.2	4.2	4.2	4.7	3.9

Student Group Analysis	Black/ African American	Hispanic	Multiracial	White	Special Education	English Learners	Econ. Disadv.
ES	7.4	7.5	7.1	7.6	7.7	7.2	7.4
MS	4.8	5.2	4.8	4.9	5.7	5.4	4.9
HS	4.4	4.5	4.7	4.1	4.8	5.4	4.4

Goal B

Increase the percent of students not chronically absent for all student groups.

Student Group Analysis	Black/ African American	Hispanic	Multiracial	White	Special Education	English Learners	Econ. Disadv.
ES	79%	79%	82%	87%	75%	78%	72%
MS	80%	79%	79%	84%	70%	77%	71%
HS	72%	66%	73%	76%	64%	60%	62%

Note: Groups ≥ 5% of the student population are displayed. Updated 12.16.24.

Next update: December 2026.

Goal C

Increase behavioral health supports in schools by reducing the staff-to-student services ratios.

1 to 304

Students per School Counselor

(⬇ 11 students from 23-24)

1 to 842

students per School Psychologist

(⬇ 37 students from 23-24)

1 to 1,329

Students Per Social Worker

(⬇ 101students from 23-24)

1 to 2,181

Students Per Pupil Personnel Worker

(⬇ 99 students from 23-24)

Note: Staff Data is as of 10.15.23. Student data is as of 9.30.23. Student Services includes AACPS school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and pupil personnel workers (no outside agencies). Next update: November 2025

Abbreviations and Notes

ES: Elementary Schools

MS: Middle Schools

HS: High Schools

Economically disadvantaged, rather than FARMs, is reported as in ESSA

Groups > 5% of the student population are displayed.

Survey: The Maryland School Survey is administered annually to 5th through 11th graders. Each domain is scored on a 1-10 scale. A score of 5.5 or higher is favorable. The emotional safety topic describes the degree to which students feel happy, socially accepted, listened to, and a part of their school. The behavioral and academic supports topic describes the degree to which students feel they receive social, emotional, behavioral, and academic supports from adults at the school as well as that behavior is addressed appropriately, and what students are learning is important to them and connected to life outside their classroom.

Chronically Absent is when a student misses 10% or more of the total number of school days in a year, including excused, unexcused, and out-of-school suspensions. For example, if a student is enrolled for 180 days of school and misses 18 or more days, they are considered chronically absent.

Student Service Staff are AACPS employees (not contractors) whose job titles fall under any of the following umbrella categories: School Counselors, School Psychologist, Social Worker, and Pupil Personnel Worker.

Supporting the Whole Child

Ensuring the social, emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral health and well-being of all students.

Goal A

Goal B

Goal C

Student Service Employee in 24-25

Abbreviations and Notes