The Maryland State Education Department released the 2023 Maryland School Report Card for school star ratings across the state on December 13th.
The star ratings for Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) schools show a story of steady progress and the need to continue to work hard and address learning and attendance challenges. Of the six BCP neighborhood conversion public charter schools, two gained a star level, and the other four remained steady at their past star levels, which included a 4, 3, and 2.
We are proud of all our six schools and the work they are doing everyday to ensure students have the best possible outcomes. We know that schools cannot fully be measured by a rating, but we are proud that Govans and Pimlico’s hard work is being recognized by their increased star level.
|
BCP School |
2023 Star Rating |
2022 Star Rating |
|
City Springs Elem/Middle |
2 |
2 |
|
Frederick Elementary |
2 |
2 |
|
Govans Elementary |
3 |
2 |
|
Hampstead Hill Academy |
4 |
4 |
|
Pimlico Elem/Middle |
2 |
1 |
|
Wolfe Street Academy |
3 |
3 |
Overall, 39 schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) system improved the number of stars earned on the annual report card. Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO of City Schools, states that “the quality of our schools – as indicated by increased stars – is improving, which equals better options for our students and families. We still have more progress ahead, but these results, paired with other positive indicators in attendance, literacy, and math, verify that we are on the right track.”
In Maryland, the chronic absenteeism rate identifies the proportion of students absent 
10 percent or more of school days while enrolled at that school. City Schools notes chronic absenteeism – a post-pandemic challenge across Maryland, particularly in Baltimore City – as a top reason for Baltimore’s public schools receiving fewer higher ratings.
Matt Hornbeck, Hampstead Hill Academy Principal, was quoted extensively in the Baltimore Banner article on the Maryland School Report Card, specifically about his staff’s focus on cutting the school’s post-pandemic chronic absenteeism rate from 21% by the end of the 2022-23 school year to 8.7% currently. (Before the pandemic, HHA’s chronic absenteeism rate was 6.7%.)
Like its fellow City Schools across Baltimore, the BCP network schools are using a variety of resources and initiatives to improve student learning and engagement post-pandemic and strengthen test scores:
Since last April, BCP has been engaged in a pilot program to create a BCP-wide math curriculum – math scores are down across Maryland and the U.S. – that unifies instruction across BCP schools.
- BCP’s pioneering, long standing use of Direct Instruction to teach reading has helped its schools remain steady or bolster MAP reading score levels.
- As Mr. Hornbeck notes in the Baltimore Banner article, a factor in Hampstead Hill’s 4-star rating is that he and his staff can be responsive to parent and teacher requests for school improvements. Each BCP principal has autonomy over his or her budget, which allows for innovative approaches to learning and student engagement.
- The BCP network of Principals meets regularly to collaborate and share ideas and insights, which is helping all BCP network schools with issues of absenteeism and other challenges facing schools today.
- Additionally, the new BCP position of Chief of Schools, held by Harold S. Henry, Jr. since July 1, 2023, further coalesces and guides the work of the BCP network. Mr. Henry, a former City Schools administrator and, most recently, Frederick Elementary School Principal, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
