The percentage of Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) earning 3, 4, or 5 stars on the Maryland Report Card jumped to the highest rate since the state report card began in 2018. The star ratings were released today by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Nearly half (49 percent) of schools scored in the highest three ratings in 2025, exceeding the previous high of 46 percent in 2019.
City Schools has rebounded from the post-pandemic decline in 2022, when 25 percent of schools earned 3, 4, or 5 stars. In just three years, the proportion of highly rated schools has nearly doubled. These schools are located in various neighborhoods across the city, each with its own unique needs.
Overall, 25 schools increased their ratings from 2024:
Several elementary and middle schools have shown improvements in literacy and math proficiency.
Middle schools boasted the most significant successes by reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing access to a well-rounded curriculum.
High schools notably increased 9th-grade credit-earning as a measure of being on track to graduate.
Each grade band showed improvement in the student survey.
Performance highlights
City Schools has 15 4- or 5-star schools, the highest number since 2018.
Seven more schools achieved a 3-, 4-, or 5-star rating in 2025 than in 2024
Middle school Hispanic/Latino students and Multilingual Learners improved 3 points in students not chronically absent.
High school Hispanic/Latino students and Multilingual Learners improved by more than a point in graduation rates.
“I am proud of our schools for continuing to push students toward higher levels of learning and engagement each year,” said CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises. “We are not where we want to be yet, but we can see the progress, and it is a direct reflection of the vigorous work of our students, educators, and families. For some of our schools, that next star is within reach, just one or two percentage points away.”
Focused strategies are paying off, as evidenced by teachers using data to drive student improvement and ensuring that students have a solid grasp of the fundamentals in reading, writing, and math. Key supports include expert coaching and professional development, as well as high-quality curriculum and student materials.
The Maryland Report Card and STAR ratings are based on multiple measures, including student achievement and growth, graduation rates, postsecondary readiness, chronic absenteeism, a school survey, and access to a well-rounded curriculum.