Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) achieved its highest proportion of 3-, 4-, or 5- star schools on the 2026 Maryland School Report Card. The data were released today by the Maryland State Department of Education.
More than half (53 percent) of the district's schools earned at least 3 stars for the first time since the Report Card's inception.
Compared to a low of 25 percent in 2022, this marks continued post-pandemic recovery. The proportion of 3+-star schools more than doubled in just four years.
"Strong school ratings are only possible when every student, each family, and all of our staff commit to academic excellence," said Dr. Jermaine Dawson, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. "It will take all of us to build on this strong foundation toward our goal of career ready, future ready, and world ready students. It starts and ends with the teaching and learning that take place day in and day out across the city.”
"By achieving the district’s highest proportion of 3-, 4-, and 5-star schools, City Schools is already striding toward the Board's recently announced focus areas, which include more high-performing schools,” said Board Chair Robert Salley. “We thank all facets of the community for your feedback to inform these focus areas, and your support to raise achievement no matter where students live."
Neighborhoods across the city achieved 3-, 4-, and 5-star ratings.
· Ratings jumped for 23 schools compared to 2025.
· 15 schools earned 4 or 5 stars.
· Five more schools achieved a 3-, 4-, or 5-star rating since 2025.
Reducing middle school chronic absence was the largest area of improvement.
· This means that fewer students missed 10 percent or more of the school year.
· All middle school student groups reduced chronic absence by at least 2 points, including a 4.5-point reduction for Black/African American, Economically Disadvantaged, and Students with Disabilities.
Middle school math growth was another major improvement area. Middle school students with disabilities improved in math student growth by 1.5 points.
Additional growth was fueled by:
· Improved access to a well-rounded curriculum for high schools
· Higher English proficiency for elementary multilingual learners.
The Maryland School Report Card and star ratings are based on multiple measures, such as student achievement and growth, graduation rates, postsecondary readiness, chronic absence, a school survey, and access to a well-rounded curriculum.