BCPS shares updates on college and career readiness exams, early access to college | |
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A recent community message from BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers brings attention to the school system's comprehensive strategy to prepare all students to thrive in college, careers, and the community.
Here are a few highlights from the message regarding important career and college readiness examinations and early access to college programs available, often at no cost, to secondary students.
ACT college readiness exam
This year, BCPS is providing students with an opportunity to take the ACT in Grade 11 or Grade 12 at no cost. Students may request a pre-paid, one-time voucher from their school counselors.
Tuition Free Program at CCBC
The BCPS Tuition Free Program covers tuition, fees, and books for students in Grades 11 and 12 who have met College and Career Readiness Standards, as outlined in "The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future," for up to four credit-bearing courses or four courses leading to industry credentials at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) or other local Maryland universities during the spring and fall semesters.
While the program previously provided all secondary students with unlimited access to CCBC courses, changes have been made to better align the program with Blueprint requirements and ensure students are prepared to successfully complete college coursework. These updates to the Tuition Free Program go into effect at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Courses taken prior to the 2024-2025 school year will not count toward the four free courses available to students who have met the College and Career Readiness Standards.
Students who have not met College and Career Readiness Standards are still eligible to take courses at CCBC for 50 percent off tuition. Students will pay for the necessary fees and books.
BCPS will also pay for any fees, other than tuition and books, for eligible students who are taking coursework at CCBC or local Maryland universities.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
BCPS will cover the cost of up to six AP exams for students in Grades 11 and 12 who have met College and Career Readiness Standards and completed the relevant AP courses. The College Board provides AP exam fee assistance for all students with financial need.
SAT School Day
The SAT college readiness exam will be offered free of charge to all Grade 11 students (or other eligible students in the same graduation cohort) on the districtwide SAT Day this spring.
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT (which measures student readiness for advanced coursework) is administered to all Grade 10 students, at no cost, each fall. Grade 11 students can opt to take the PSAT /NMSQT at no cost for extra practice prior to SAT Day.
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Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. | |
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Virtual session offers important information related to financial aid for college
A taped presentation offers BCPS students and their families valuable information on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and applying for financial aid for higher education. The session is hosted by Jessica DeShields, a specialist in the BCPS Office of School Counseling, and features guest speaker Nasim Reich of the Community College of Baltimore County financial aid office.
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Nominate an outstanding principal or assistant principal to be honored | |
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All BCPS stakeholders and community members are invited to nominate outstanding administrators for BCPS Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year for 2024-25. Finalists for each level (elementary, middle, and high) will participate in the BCPS Principal of the Year and BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year competitions.
The BCPS Principal of the Year and BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year will represent Baltimore County in statewide competitions.
Nominations are open now through Monday, January 29.
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Dulaney High student earns 2024 BCPS Young Soloist honor | |
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The BCPS Office of Performing Arts has named Julia Li, a Grade 11 violinist from Dulaney High School, as the winner of the 2024 BCPS Young Soloist program.
Julia will perform "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" by Camille Saint-Saens on Friday, April 16, accompanied by members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the annual BCPS Side by Side Concert.
Julia has been a member of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO) for eight years. Her many honors include winning the 2017 and 2020 BSYO Concerto Competitions; the 2022 Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition; and the National Philharmonic 2020 Virtual Solo Bach Competition (in the junior category).
To compete for the Young Soloist honor, students, nominated by their music teachers, audition onstage at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Register now for upcoming Parent University Lunch and Learn Workshops | |
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“Forging Relationships: Best Practices for Communicating with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families”
Friday, February 16, at 12:30 p.m.
This virtual workshop will be presented by the Center for Family Success Center for Family Success. Please register online.
“'This is Hard!' How to Help Your Child Do Hard Things and Persevere in the Face of Challenges”
Friday, February 16, at 12:30 p.m.
Presented by Mariposa Education, this virtual workshop will offer support to parents as they encourage their children to do difficult things. Presenters will share the language to use to help children build the self-motivation. Please register online.
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Online mental health resources available from the national PTA | |
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A website maintained by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) offers families multiple mental health resources in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Somali, and Mandarin. The site includes links to community resources as well as special sections on topics such as anxiety, bullying, depression, grief and loss, loneliness and isolation, resiliency, and social emotional learning and service learning.
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for your viewing pleasure | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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Announcing February and March Exchangeree shopping dates for BCPS employees | |
BCPS employees are invited to shop at the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore for new school supplies and resources for their students and classrooms. The Exchangerees are open on the following dates in February and March from 3-6 p.m. for shopping: | |
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The Exchangeree Rosedale/Golden Ring 6929 Golden Ring Rd.
Baltimore 21237
- Tuesday, February 6
- Tuesday, February 27
- Tuesday, March 12
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The Exchangeree in Windsor Mill
2034 (F) Lord Baltimore Dr.
Windsor Mill 21244
- Thursday, February 1
- Thursday, February 22
- Thursday, March 7
- Thursday, March 21
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For details, please see the latest Mission Moment blog post.
Since the first Exchangeree center opened in 2018 and through the end of first quarter of this school year, the Exchangeree centers have served more than 12,000 educators and 315,000 students. Thanks to generous community partners and donors, the foundation's centers have redistributed more than $2.2 million dollars' worth of classroom supplies and materials back into BCPS schools.
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January 22, 2024
Dear Reader:
Last week, we experienced two snow days in one week! That's quite a difference from last winter.
I want to assure you that the decision to close or delay school openings because of inclement weather is made with great care and deliberation and that a uniform decision-making procedure is employed so that BCPS can respond quickly to emergency weather conditions. All factors involved in making the decision to close schools, delay the opening of schools, or end the school day early are in the best interest of students and are intended to keep children out of harm’s way.
More information can be found on the BCPS Emergency Notification webpage.
Also, please keep in mind that, the Maryland State Department of Education has approved the BCPS Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan for this school year. The BCPS plan is to transition to virtual school days after the school system has experienced three full-day inclement weather closures.
After those three closures, when inclement weather is expected, BCPS leadership will monitor the weather forecast and families will be notified if BCPS will transition to virtual learning that day. Students will be reminded to bring devices, chargers, and other instructional materials home. Staff will also be asked to prepare lessons and materials.
This plan will enable learning to continue despite the weather and will help BCPS avoid extending the school year.
In partnership,
Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Upcoming Board and advisory group meetings
All are welcome to attend
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Joint meeting of the Southwest and Northwest area education advisory councils
Monday, February 12, at 7 p.m.
Meeting details
Topic: “Equity”
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204
Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.
Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting
Monday, February 26, at 7 p.m.
Chesapeake High School library, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Baltimore 21221
Topic: “Artificial Intelligence”
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204
Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.
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