AACPS Ranks Among MD's Best Districts In Suspensions, Expulsions Per Capita

MARYLAND — A new report on school suspensions and expulsions shows how Anne Arundel County compares to Maryland's other jurisdictions.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools had 3,121 suspensions and expulsions in the 2021-2022 school year.

That's the fifth-most in the state. Anne Arundel County has the fourth-largest population among Maryland's 24 jurisdictions, however.

Considering Anne Arundel's size, it is expected to have more total suspensions and expulsions than smaller counties. Anne Arundel County fares better in per capita statistics.

AACPS posted just over 5 suspensions and expulsions per 1,000 county residents. That's the fourth-best rate in Maryland.

Violations In Anne Arundel County

Attacks, threats and fighting accounted for about 60 percent of the suspensions and expulsions. Disrespect and disruption were the reason for another quarter.

Roughly 6 percent of the suspensions and expulsions involved dangerous substances. Weapons and sex offenses each accounted for less than 100 suspensions and expulsions.

Seventy-four suspensions and expulsions were lumped into the "other" category. Arson, fire and explosives were the least common causes of disciplinary action with 39 combined cases.

Anne Arundel County suspended or expelled twice as many males as females.

More than a quarter of students who were suspended or expelled have a disability.

Here is the breakdown of suspensions by race, as listed in the report:

• Black or African American (1,634)
• White (809)
• Hispanic (427)
• Two or more races (207)
• Asian (30)
• American Indian or Alaska Native (13)
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (1)

All of this data is shown in the table below, which comes from the Maryland State Department of Education report.

These 10 schools had the most suspensions and expulsions in the county.

1. Old Mill High (207)
2. North County High (199)
3. Glen Burnie High (191)
4. Annapolis Middle (162)
5. Annapolis High (155)
6. Meade High (146)
7. Old Mill Middle North (146)
8. Phoenix Academy (144)
9. Brooklyn Park Middle (141)
10. Marley Middle (109)

Dozens of schools had less than five suspensions and expulsions.

Read the full report starting on page 32 to see where your school stands.

Patch asked AACPS for a comment. We have not yet received a response, but we will update this story if we hear back.

Statewide Rankings

Baltimore County had the most suspensions and expulsions in Maryland. Prince George's County, Baltimore City, Harford County and Anne Arundel County rounded out the top five.

Garrett County had the fewest suspensions and expulsions.

Here are Maryland's jurisdictions ranked by total suspensions and expulsions:

1. Baltimore County (11,322)
2. Prince George's County (8,443)
3. Baltimore City (5,982)
4. Harford County (3,564)
5. Anne Arundel County (3,121)
6. Cecil County (2,535)
7. Charles County (2,528)
8. Montgomery County (2,392)
9. Frederick County (2,312)
10. Wicomico County (2,303)
11. Howard County (2,016)
12. Saint Mary's County (1,573)
13. Dorchester County (1,526)
14. Carroll County (1,376)
15. Washington County (1,123)
16. Somerset County (995)
17. Calvert County (763)
18. Allegany County (463)
19. Caroline County (446)
20. Kent County (384)
21. Talbot County (381)
22. Queen Anne's County (378)
23. Worcester County (226)
24. SEED School - A statewide college-preparatory public boarding school in Baltimore (98)
25. Garrett County (55)

Dorchester County had the most suspensions and expulsions per 1,000 county residents. Somerset, Cecil, Wicomico and Kent counties rounded out the top five.

Garrett County also had the fewest suspensions and expulsions per capita.

Here are Maryland's jurisdictions ranked by suspensions and expulsions per 1,000 county residents:

1. Dorchester County (46.96)
2. Somerset County (40.47)
3. Cecil County (24.39)
4. Wicomico County (22.14)
5. Kent County (19.92)
6. Charles County (14.98)
7. Saint Mary's County (13.74)
8. Harford County (13.55)
9. Caroline County (13.35)
10. Baltimore County (13.33)
11. Baltimore City (10.37)
12. Talbot County (10.12)
13. Prince George's County (8.83)
14. Frederick County (8.26)
15. Calvert County (8.12)
16. Carroll County (7.91)
17. Queen Anne's County (7.44)
18. Washington County (7.24)
19. Allegany County (6.83)
20. Howard County (6.02)
21. Anne Arundel County (5.28)
22. Worcester County (4.25)
23. Montgomery County (2.26)
24. Garrett County (1.91)