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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 20,000 students, 46 schools, and over 2,800 employees, Washington County Public Schools continues to deliver world-class education.  Most notably, “America’s Best High Schools,” a report issued by U.S. News & World Report analyzing over 18,000 high schools across the country, included six 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. 

  • Maryland’s educational system has been recognized as one of the top three state school systems in the nation
  • WCPS ranks among the top four public school systems in Maryland
  • WCPS has the 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 90.1% in 2007, and is well above the state average.  Of these graduates, over 68% pursue higher education opportunities

    Primary & Secondary Public Schools
    Enrollment: 21,701 (2008-09)*
    Number of Schools:
    Early Childhood1
    Elementary 26
    Middle7
    Middle/Senior High 1
    Senior High6
    Technical High School1
    Outdoor Education1
    Special Education1
    Academy7
    Magnet7
    Teacher/Pupil Ratio:
    20:1 Elementary;23:1 Secondary
    Private Schools**
    Enrollment: 3,757 (2006-07)Number of Schools: 31
    Educational Attainment (age 25 & over):***
    82.8%High school graduate or higher
    18.5%Bachelor’s degree or higher
    SOURCES: *Washington County Board of Education. **MD Department of Education. *** U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey.+ NOTE: The teacher/pupil ratio is an estimated average for 2008-09. Actual class size varies according to grade, subject and enrollment.

    SAT Scores - 2008
    Reading  
    Washington County 500
    Maryland 499
    National 502
    Mathematics  
    Washington County 515
    Maryland 502
    National 515
    Writing  
    Washington County 493
    Maryland 497
    National 494
    Dropout Rate for 2006-2007 2.54%
    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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