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Quality of Life

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Quality of Life : Education : Public Schools

K-12 Washington County Public Schools (WCPS)

With more than 21,000 students, 44 schools, and over 2,900 employees, Washington County Public Schools continues to deliver world-class education.  Most notably, “2009 America’s Best High Schools,” a report issued by U.S. News & World Report analyzing over 21,000 high schools across the country, included four of Washington County’s public high schools as among the best.  Analysis was based on state test performance, success in providing college-level coursework, and how well each school’s disadvantaged students performed.  Partnerships with higher education institutions and local businesses have enabled a framework for great achievements, highlighted below. 

  • Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, head of WCPS since 2001, was named National Superintendent of the Year for 2010 by the American Association of School Administrators
  • Maryland’s educational system has been ranked the number one state school system in the nation
  • WCPS ranks among the top four public school systems in Maryland
  • WCPS has the second highest attendance rating in the State of Maryland
  • Washington County students continue to meet state and federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards
  • Two county high schools recognized by Newsweek and The Washington Post as being in the top 5% of US schools for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test-takers
  • WCPS has the largest number of elementary school students in Maryland taking world languages
  • Having revitalized and emphasized the arts as an integral part of the secondary school experience, WCPS is culminating these efforts with the opening of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in August 2009
  • The high school graduation rate has increased from 78.3% in 2000, to 91.5% in 2009, and is well above the state average.  Of these graduates, over 68% pursue higher education opportunities

    Primary & Secondary Public Schools
    Enrollment: 21,877 (2009-10)*
    Number of Schools:
    Early Childhood 1
    Elementary 26
    Middle 7
    Middle/Senior High 1
    Senior High 7
    Technical High School 1
    Outdoor Education 1
    Special Education 1
    Academy 7
    Magnet 7
    Teacher/Pupil Ratio:
    20:1 Elementary; 23:1 Secondary
    Private Schools**
    Enrollment: 3,199 (2009-10) Number of Schools: 26
    Educational Attainment (age 25 & over):***
    82.6% High school graduate or higher
    18.3% Bachelor’s degree or higher
    SOURCES: *Washington County Board of Education. **MD Department of Education. *** U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey.+ NOTE: The teacher/pupil ratio is an estimated average for 2009-10. Actual class size varies according to grade, subject and enrollment.

    SAT Scores - 2009
    Reading  
    Washington County 490
    Maryland 500
    National 501
    Mathematics  
    Washington County 510
    Maryland 502
    National 515
    Writing  
    Washington County 480
    Maryland 495
    National 493
    Dropout Rate for 2009-2010 1.56%
    SOURCE: Washington County Board of Education; MD Department of Education

Students in Washington County have unique opportunities for career and academic exploration at the high school level.  Programs focus on academic rigor and workforce development to prepare students to succeed after graduation.    

Approximately 4,800 are currently enrolled in Career Technology Education (CTE) courses and well over 300 students participate in career academies, which include:

Manufacturing and Engineering
Exposes students to the fundamentals of computerized manufacturing technology including robotics and flexible manufacturing systems.

Finance
Introduces students to the broad career opportunities in the financial services industry and provides classroom instruction integrated with workplace experience.

Medical Careers
Provides an edge to those students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. The program provides an opportunity for internships in a local health care setting.

Environment and Agriculture
Combines technical, academic, and work place skills into an integrated curriculum to prepare students for the environmental science and natural resource fields.

Civil Engineering and Architecture
Exposes students to state-of-the-art software that aids them in solving real-world engineering projects. The academy prepares students for engineering programs in higher education institutions.

Teaching Professions
Prepares students for careers in education, either as teachers or paraprofessionals.

Fire and Rescue
Provides training to students in the field of firefighting and emergency medical technology. Upon completion of the one-year training, students will be qualified to apply for National Certification at the Firefighter II Level and eligible to obtain a National Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.

Students participate in career-related internships with numerous WCPS business partners.  Opportunities to earn postsecondary credits are available in the ESSENCE (Early Support for Students to Enter College Education) dual enrollment program at Hagerstown Community College. 

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is held at North Hagerstown High School.  The IB Program is a world-class, rigorous, college preparatory educational program originally developed for the children of members of the diplomatic corps who may be stationed in embassies in any part of the world.  In 2007, 51 IB exams were administered in Washington County, on which students scored above the world average. 

WCPS students can take classes at the Barr Construction Institute in Hagerstown, a partnership between WCPS and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) that provides practical training, education, and job experience for students interested in trades like plumbing and HVAC.  

 

 





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