MCPS Has Top Graduation Rate of Nation's 50 Largest School Districts

According to Education Week, the Montgomery County Public Schools have the highest graduation rate of the nation's 50 biggest school districts. Following is a statement from MCPS Superintendent Jerry Weast.

Friends,

Montgomery County Public Schools' graduation rate is number one among the nation's 50 largest school districts, according to the Diplomas Count 2010 report, published today by Education Week. The MCPS graduation rate of 83.1 percent is significantly higher than the rate for the state of Maryland or for the nation. This is the second year in a row that MCPS has topped this list. In last year's report, MCPS was tied for first with a graduation rate of 80.7 percent.


The results of the Diplomas Count report are yet another indicator that validates the reform efforts MCPS has put in place over the past 11 years. Among the other milestones we are celebrating this year: the number of Advanced Placement exams taken by MCPS students has more than tripled over the past decade, and nearly three-quarters of those exams earned a score of three or higher; the Class of 2010 is expected to have the highest SAT score in MCPS history, a combined average of 1651; and this year’s graduates already have secured nearly $232 million in college scholarships, an increase of almost $50 million from last year. MCPS also earned national recognition this spring when the district was named a finalist for the $1 million Broad Prize for Urban Education, which recognizes large school districts that have successfully raised student achievement and narrowed performance gaps.


On behalf of the Board of Education, our outstanding staff and the 142,000 students in our schools, I want to thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,

Jerry D. Weast, Superintendent