Half of Maryland Schools Earn Four or Five Stars on Report Card

Half of Maryland public schools earned four or five stars on the 2026 Maryland School Report Card, up 7 percentage points from the prior year’s 43%, the Maryland State Department of Education reported Thursday. About 89% earned three or more stars, up 3 points from 86%.

MSDE Chief of Accountability Geoff Sanderson told WYPR the gains reflect improved test scores and lower chronic absenteeism, with “steady improvements across the board.” The state department said one in five schools raised its star rating. WYPR reported that Black and Hispanic students continue to trail white students in proficiency, and Sanderson said closing that gap is still a work in progress.

WYPR described this as the final round before the system is redesigned. The state is moving to a shorter test, MSTAR, next year, with high schools delayed until 2028-29, and the State Board of Education is reworking ratings to be fairer to schools with many low-income students and English learners. WYPR also reported, citing a related article, that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future loses its designated funding source next fiscal year, part of a projected $3 billion structural deficit.