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Baltimore County is one of the most educated communities in the United States. Our universities and secondary schools consistently achieve providing Baltimore County with a well-educated home-grown workforce.
Fast Facts
- The Baltimore metropolitan area is home to 25 major colleges and universities, educating 139,000 students each year.
- 34.5 percent of Baltimore County residents over the age of 25 hold bachelors degrees or higher. The national average is 27.2 percent.
- 88.3 percent of Baltimore County residents have high school diplomas or higher.
- Baltimore County alone awards approximately 7,500 degrees each year.
- In the Baltimore-Washington metro region there are approximately 65 accredited institutions of higher learning — many among the best in the nation.
Enrollment in Baltimore County
Enrollment in Baltimore County, 2006 | Number | Percent |
| | |
Population 3 years and over enrolled in school | 205,284 | 100.0% |
Nursery school, preschool | 10,447 | 5.1 |
Kindergarten | 9,660 | 4.9 |
Elementary School (grades 1-8) | 77,578 | 37.8 |
High School (grades 9-12) | 44,137 | 21.5 |
College or graduate school | 63,462 | 31.0 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey 2006.
Educational Attainment for Baltimore County
See detailed demographics
Educational Attainment | Number | Percent |
Population 25 years and over | 534,726 | 100.0 |
Less than 9th grade | 19,974 | 3.7 |
9th to 12th grade, no diploma | 43,757 | 8.2 |
High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 149,588 | 28.0 |
Some college, no degree | 102,682 | 19.2 |
Associate degree | 35,372 | 6.6 |
Bachelor's degree | 105,762 | 20.0 |
Graduate or professional degree | 77,591 | 14.5 |
Percent high school graduate or higher | 88.1% | (X) |
Percent bachelor's degree or higher | 34.5% | (X) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey 2006.
Baltimore County boasts an excellent secondary school system. 7,300 students graduate each year from our public schools with an outstanding education. There are 106,182 total students and over 17,000 staff that enable our schools to produce results. The 103 elementary, 27 middle, 24 high, 1 middle/high, and 4 special education schools in our county make the Baltimore County Public School system one of the largest 25 in the United States. Baltimore County also offers unique and successful magnet school programs in which students are given the opportunity to focus on courses of study in which they are truly interested. Students in 47 magnet programs study Finance, International Studies, Career & Technology, Law & Public Policy, Literary Arts, Math, Science & Computer Science, Pre-Engineering and Environmental Science.
Student Achievement
By the Numbers |
- 3rd largest school system in Maryland
and the 24th largest in the U.S. - Ratio of teachers to students: 13.2
- 106,182 students
- 169 schools
- 7,189 teachers
- Over 7,300 graduates each year
- Ratio of computers-to-students: 1 to 3.9
|
Average $9,439 per pupil spent annually for instructional costs, student services, transportation, operation and administrative expenses. The system is making significant investments in its learning environments. Since 1999, Baltimore County Public Schools have been engaged in the largest school renovation and major maintenance program in the County’s history. The five-year, half billion dollar program is bringing physical improvements to nearly every one of the County’s 169 public schools.
- Newsweek magazine May 28, 2007 issue recognized nine Baltimore County high schools as among the top 5% nationwide. Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Catonsville, Dulaney, Franklin, Hereford, Loch Raven, Parkville, Pikesville, and Towson high schools.
- Maryland School Assessment scores have risen consistently for the past four years.
- 140 of 163 BCPS schools made Adequate Yearly Progress according to the Maryland State Department of Education.
- In 2005-2006 10.7 percent of high school students took Advanced Placement (AP) exams. As the AP participation rate has climbed, BCPS has maintained a pass rate (now at 70.8 percent) higher than the national pass rate of 60 percent.
- The percentage of BCPS students taking the SAT (66.7 percent of the class of 2006) exceeds the national rate and has risen for five consecutive years.
Source: Baltimore County Public School website; Maryland State Dept. of Education., 2007 Fact Book
Private schools are an option for an alternate secondary education in Baltimore County. 35,282 students attend various private schools. 188 private schools range from religious to alternative, providing a wide range of options. In 2007, 2,035 students graduated in Baltimore County.
Source: Maryland State Dept. of Education: Nonpublic School Enrollment 9.30.07
Baltimore County Public Schools – 410-887-4554
Association of Maryland Independent Schools - 410-761-3700
The Archdiocese of Baltimore: Catholic Schools - 410-547-5391
Baltimore County Public Library - 410-887-6100
Maryland Business Roundtable for Education – 410-727-0448
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Revised April 9, 2008
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