Majority of Baltimore City Schools Receive Lowest Ratings in State Report Card

Baltimore City Schools are facing significant challenges, as new data reveals that 65% of the district's 148 rated schools have received the lowest possible performance ratings from the state. This troubling statistic comes despite the school system's record budget of $1.7 billion for the current academic year, equating to an expenditure of $22,424 per student.

City leaders recently celebrated the opening of Cross Country Elementary Middle School, part of the 21st Century School Buildings Program. However, while construction projects progress, academic performance lags behind.

The Maryland State Department of Education's 2023 school report card, which evaluates schools based on metrics such as test scores and attendance, indicates that Baltimore City has the highest percentage of one and two-star schools in Maryland. In contrast, neighboring Baltimore County has 27.6% of its schools in the same category, while Anne Arundel County reports 11.2% and Howard County just 4%.

Dr. Sonja Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Schools, acknowledged the challenges during a recent interview. She highlighted chronic absenteeism as a significant barrier to student achievement, with 58% of students in the city classified as chronically absent. This figure has risen sharply from 23% in 2016 when Dr. Santelises took office.

The report card identifies the six lowest-performing schools in Maryland, all located in Baltimore City. These schools include Stadium School, William S. Baer School, Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle, Yorkwood Elementary, James McHenry Elementary/Middle, and Excel Academy, where 98.7% of students are chronically absent.

Dr. Santelises emphasized the importance of reconnecting with students and families, especially in the wake of the pandemic. The district has made strides in outreach, successfully reengaging approximately 2,400 students this past year. She noted the need for schools to collaborate with community partners to create a more engaging learning environment.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).