Maryland honors 463 elementary and middle schools and 73 high schools for overall achievement and improved performance. On March 3, The Maryland State Department of Education is recognizing 463 elementary and middle schools and 73 high schools across the State for the academic performance of their students.

The recognition program honors schools for their performance on the 2008 Maryland School Assessment  or the High School Assessment and for improving the performance of special populations of students for two years. Only schools that made Adequate early Progress for 2007-2008 were eligible for the awards.  

Special populations include race/ethnicity, special education, limited English proficiency, and students who are receiving free or reduced price meals. The program, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1996, is now required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.   

Each year the School Recognition Program allows MSDE to acknowledge the success of staff and students in raising the performance levels of all public school students,” said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. “This year, we share our pride in 536 elementary, middle, and high schools for their overall achievement or for improving the performance of their special populations or both.”

Southern Maryland High Schools that received recognition were: Calvert – Northern, Patuxent and Huntingtown. Charles County High Schools that received recognition are: North Point, Lackey, McDonough and Westlake. In the area of Elementary and Middle Schools from St. Mary’s County the recipients were: George Washington Carver, Greenview Knolls, Lettie Marshall Dent, Lexington Park, Margaret Brent Middle School, Mechanicsville, Piney Point and Ridge. In Calvert the award-winning schools were, Beach ES, Huntingtown, Mt. Harmony, Mutual, Sunderland, Windy Hill and Northern and Plum Point Middle Schools. In Charles county, the recipients were Dr. James Craik, Eva Turner, J.C. Parks,  J.P Ryon, Milton Somers  MS, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy and TC Martin.

All recognized schools will receive certificates of recognition for public display. Only Title I elementary and middle schools will each receive a modest financial award that can be used for activities and equipment to improve student performance and family involvement.

School recognition, a feature of the federal No Child Left Behind program, helps states recognize the achievement of schools, as well as their students and teachers.