Page 44 - Garrett County 2023/2024 Visitors Guide

GARRETT COUNTY SCHOOLS: SMALL CLASS SIZES, TAILORED OFFERINGS
Garrett County’s public school system is one
of the best in Maryland. Its advantages include small class sizes and excellent student- teacher ratios, but our public schools also shine with their career development options and community partnerships, which reach students as early as elementary school.
According to the Maryland Department of Education, Garrett County outperforms the state and nation in ACT results for math, English, reading, science and composites, and in SAT
results for reading. Out of
the 24 Maryland jurisdiction, Garrett County ranks first on a number of measures, including the percentage of teachers holding advanced personal certifications.
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Altogether, Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS, gcps. net) is made up of 12 schools, whose student-teacher ratio varies between 11:1 and 14:1, according to school rating site Niche.com.
A unique perk for Garrett County students: after high school graduation, they
are eligible for the Garrett County Scholarship Program (garrettcollege.edu/garrett- county-scholarship.php), which covers the cost of
tuition and fees for a two-year degree from Garrett College (garrettcollege.edu). This perk is also available to students who are certified as home- schooled or who attend a non-public school operating in Garrett County.
(GCPS provides testing services, curriculum reviews and other support to parents who choose to home-school their children.)
PHOTO BY KRISTEN FISCHETTI – HIGHER FOCUS STUDIOS
42 The Deep Creek Experience