BALTIMORE – Maryland public school systems begin re-opening Aug. 28, as another new record number of students is expected to fill classrooms for the 2017-18 academic year.

Most Maryland schools are opening after Labor Day for the first time in more than two decades, following Governor Larry Hogan’s executive order requiring a post-Labor Day start to the new school year for most schools and systems.

“This first day of school is an exciting time for students, parents, and teachers,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration remains committed to ensuring that every Maryland student has access to a world-class education, and we wish everyone a safe and productive school year.”

Maryland school enrollment hit a record 886,221 students in 2016-17, with another 250,000 children involved in some form of pre-kindergarten, Head Start or licensed childcare program. Those numbers are expected to continue to rise.

Schools this fall begin the fourth full year of implementation of the stronger academic standards designed to better prepare students for life after graduation. Assessment data released earlier this week found progress being made, particularly in English language arts.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide students with a foundation for success in college or career,” said Dr. Karen B. Salmon, state superintendent of schools. “Maryland high school graduates must be ready for today’s jobs and those that will be created down the road.”

Noteworthy This School Year

Enrollment & Demographic Trends

• Enrollment in Maryland public schools surpassed 886,000 in 2016, and there is little indication enrollment growth has crested. Maryland school enrollment has been steadily increasing since 2009, when the student population stood at 843,861.

• Maryland’s student population also has experienced major demographic changes over the past 20 years. White students represent nearly 38.2 percent of the student population, followed by African-American students, who make up 34.1 percent of the student population. Both the White and African-American student populations have been in decline as a percentage of the student body in recent years.

• Hispanic students represent 16.5 percent of the student body, while Asian students account for approximately 6.4 percent. Percentages of Hispanic and Asian students have been steadily rising. Also increasing is the percentage of students identifying themselves as two or more races, which is at 4.4 percent.

• The State’s schools continue to serve a high percentage of students coming from circumstances of poverty. Last year, for example, 48.9 percent of Maryland elementary students were eligible for free- or reduced-price meals. Ten years earlier that tally stood at 39 percent – a dramatic increase over the decade.

• More information on Maryland school demographics can be found on the Maryland Report Card website.

Strengthening Achievement, Positive Trends in Graduation Continue. Maryland’s graduation rate remains at an all-time high, increasing again in 2017.

• Maryland’s cohort graduation rate reached 87.61 percent in 2016 — nearly 6 percentage points higher than the 81.97 rate registered in 2010.

• At the same time, dropout rates have fallen to new lows, dropping to 7.97 percent in 2016. It was nearly 12 percent in 2010.

• While gaps in graduation rates remain between student groups, the improvement in graduation has been across the board. African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and White student subgroups have all experienced improvement in graduation. African-American student graduation, for example, has jumped from 76.09 percent in 2010 to 84.06 percent in 2016.

Linking Students to Careers. Maryland continues to make the expansion of Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs a priority.

Expanding Biliteracy. Maryland in 2017 became the newest state to award a Seal of Biliteracy to graduates who had demonstrated high levels of proficiency in English and other world languages.

For more information about the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy program, please visit

http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DCAA/World-Languages/index.asp

Charter Schools Hold Steady.

There are no new charter schools scheduled to open this fall, but enrollment is on the rise. There are 49 charter schools in Maryland -- 33 in Baltimore City, 10 in Prince George’s County, three in Frederick County, two in Anne Arundel County and one in St. Mary’s County.

Keeping Students Healthy.

Maryland’s Department of Health is requiring new immunizations this year, and all Maryland schools are required to stock the anti-overdose drug, Naloxone.

All students entering kindergarten, first, second and third grade must have had two varicella vaccinations before the first day of school. All students entering seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth grades must have had one Tdap vaccination and one meningococcal (MCV4) vaccination before the first day of school. For more information, see the Department of Health’s immunization page: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN/Pages/back-to-school-immunization-requirements.aspx

All Maryland schools this fall are required to stock Naloxone -- commonly known by its prescription name, Narcan -- the overdose reversal medication. Staff are being trained in how to administer the drug, all thanks to the Start Talking Maryland Act. A new law, known as the Start Talking Maryland Act, also requires schools to begin instructing students in the dangers of drugs starting in grade three.

School Start Dates

Opening dates for Maryland’s school systems:

• Aug. 28 - Garrett County

• Aug. 29 - Allegany County.

• Sept. 5 - All other Maryland Counties. along with the statewide SEED School

Please note that some individual schools and grades have different start dates. Check with your local school system for more information.

MSDE’s round-up of school openings and closings can be found here: http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/School-Systems/Open-Closing-Dates.aspx