Page 20 - Baltimore County Quality of Life Guide and Business Directory

READY FOR THE FUTURE
Baltimore County’s K-12 schools, universities garner national honors
Baltimore County is home to a high- performing public-school system that offers an extensive selection
of public and private K-12 schools and five colleges and universities. Students at these schools get a top-notch education that puts them on the road to success. Many of these graduates go on to become leaders in both the public and private sector. The educational offerings and higher-than- average educational attainment levels
here mean that Baltimore County provides a homegrown workforce for many of its businesses and industries.
Baltimore County Public Schools Gain Honors
In 2018, U.S. News & World Report named eight Baltimore County high schools among the best in Maryland, which also
landed them on the national list of best high schools. Eastern Technical High and Towson High received the highest gold rankings. Dulaney, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science, Catonsville and Loch Raven high schools received silver awards. Sparrows Point received a bronze ranking.
Superintendent S. Dallas Dance resigned late in the 2016-17 school year, so the search for a permanent replacement is underway. In 2018, the Baltimore County School Board will also change its spots
— going from an all-appointed board to
a hybrid of seven elected members, four appointed members and an appointed student member. An ambitious capital improvement program to add, renovate and
build school additions under a 10-year, $1.3 billion program using state and county funds is also on the table.
During the last few years, the 25th-largest school system in the country has made impressive gains in standardized test scores in many grades, the graduation rate neared 90 percent in 2017, and the achievement gap among students of different races has been closing.
More than 43,000 students attend private schools in the County, and a significant portion of these are preschools or early childhood centers. There is, however, no shortage of elementary, middle and high schools — many of them with religious affiliations — to meet different learning styles and emphasize different interests from equestrian competitions and beekeeping to horticulture and marine biology.
Many independent and parochial schools have storied histories going back into the 19th century, with unique traditions and ardent alumni. Like the public schools,
they make large economic and service contributions to the County and provide significant financial contributions to worthy causes from students, staff and alumni.
Higher Education
is at Home Here
The County also offers a variety of options for college and/or technical training. Of course, those who choose to go to college locally will broaden their perspectives by meeting students from around the world who come to Baltimore County to study.
18 Quality of Life Guide and Business Directory
EDUCATION