HCPSS Graduation Data Better Than State Average: Report

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Public School System class of 2023 achieved a graduation rate of 92.57%, 6.76 percentage points better than the state average of 85.81% but 2.02 percentage points below the HCPSS class of 2022, according to school officials.

The Maryland 2023 four-year dropout rate was 9.83%, more than double the 4.38% dropout rate for the HCPSS class of 2023, according to the Maryland State Department of Education.

“As we review this and other data in comparison with the rest of the State, it demonstrates that our school district is preparing the vast majority of students to be life ready,” said HCPSS Acting Superintendent William J. Barnes. “However, what is also clearly demonstrated is we are not successfully supporting every student to high achievement and preparing them for life success. This graduation and dropout data reinforces the shared priority I have with the board of education to reassess the work we do and recalibrate where necessary so every student may achieve.”

The class of 2023 experienced COVID-19 interruptions in their freshman and sophomore years of high school and returned to a more typical school year in their junior year. The 2023 graduation rates are being compared to 2019 statewide, since 2023 graduation requirements were more comparable to those before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional details on graduation and dropout rates for HCPSS and other Maryland school systems can be found online.