The 2026 Maryland Report Card results are out, and Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) earned strong marks, seeing the highest number of 4- and 5-star schools in the system’s history.
Launched in 2018, the Maryland School Report Card is issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and gives each school a rating of one to five stars. The rating is based on several measures, including how students perform on state tests, how much progress they make from year to year, graduation rates, how well students learning English are progressing, attendance, and surveys of students and staff about their school.
In 2026, 72.7% of HCPS schools earned 4- or 5-star ratings, up from 63.6% in 2025.
“Our vision of Ready by Design is about being intentional in everything we do so that every student has the foundation, opportunities, and support to succeed in whatever path they choose,” said Dr. Dyann R. Mack, Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools. “These results demonstrate that when our community invests in public schools, and we work together to support every learner, our students thrive. We will continue to challenge ourselves, but today we celebrate our students, the educators who believe in them, and a community that continues to invest in their success.”
Student progress was a bright spot at the elementary level. At 22 elementary schools, students made above-average gains in reading and writing, and 13 schools saw above-average gains in reading and writing among students from lower-income families. At 15 elementary schools, students with disabilities made above-average gains in math. Attendance was also strong, with 19 elementary schools reporting that fewer than 10% of their students considered chronically absent.
Middle schools continued to build momentum. Five earned a 4-star rating, including two that moved up from the previous year. Eight middle schools increased the percentage of students who were not chronically absent, and six increased the percentage of eighth graders who met state standards on the Maryland science test.
At the high school level, eight HCPS high schools had more than 91% of students graduate in four years, and all reported that more than 93% of graduates met post-secondary readiness measures. At six high schools, more than 94% of ninth graders are on track to graduate.
You can view individual school ratings and detailed results on the Maryland Report Card website.