𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released the 2025 statewide cohort high school graduation rates, reporting a four-year cohort graduation rate of 86.4%. While the statewide rate remains strong, it reflects a slight decrease from 87.6% in 2024.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) continues to exceed the state average, reporting a 2025 four-year cohort graduation rate of 93.4%. This represents a small decline from GCPS’s 95% rate last year, but it remains well above the statewide figure and reflects the school system’s continued commitment to student success.
Statewide, MSDE reported gains in students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which saw an increase to 83%, compared to 81.6% the previous year. The largest statewide decline occurred among multilingual learners. The 2025 cohort included 72,702 students statewide, with 62,842 earning a high school diploma within four years.
MSDE also released the five-year cohort graduation rate, which measures the percentage of students who graduate within five years of entering ninth grade. Of the 67,376 students who began ninth grade in the 2020–2021 school year, 89.2% graduated by the 2024–2025 school year, an increase from 87.4% the prior year.
Maryland’s graduation rates are calculated by following a cohort of students from their freshman year through graduation, in accordance with federal reporting requirements. Since the 2020–2021 school year, the state’s four-year cohort graduation rates have ranged from 85.8% to 87.6%.
“This graduation rate reflects the determination of our students and the unwavering commitment of educators, families, and community partners who support their success," said Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer. “We are incredibly proud of our students for reaching this milestone and remain committed to providing the opportunities they need to succeed both in high school and beyond.”
Statewide and local graduation and dropout data, including four-year and five-year cohort rates, are available on the Maryland Report Card website, www.mdreportcard.org.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 – 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕-𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools' afternoon and evening activities are canceled for today, January 27, 2026.
𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐨 (𝟐) 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.
As a friendly reminder, Thursday, January 29, 2026, is Parent-Teacher Conference Day. Schools will be closed for students. Conferences will take place from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm.
𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold a special Executive Session on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to discuss a personnel topic, Superintendent Search. The Board will meet in open session only for the purpose of voting to close its meeting to discuss matters that the Open Meetings Act permits it to discuss in closed session.
The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom and is not open to the public except for the open session to vote to close the meeting.
Thereafter, all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Schools will be closed for in-person learning.
A decision about Tuesday’s afternoon and evening activities will be made by midday on January 27, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) would like to share the following calendar reminders for upcoming dates of interest:
• 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕 – End of the Second Grading Period
• 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – Parent-Teacher Conferences, 11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – Elementary Report Cards Released
• 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟑 – Secondary Report Cards Released (date may float due to inclement weather days)
For the most up-to-date calendar information, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction for the morning) on Monday, January 26, 2026. Since this day was scheduled as a 3-hour early student dismissal, students will only be involved in morning instruction. Teachers will complete their scheduled professional development for the afternoon. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled. Liberal leave is in effect for employees.
All Garrett County Public Schools’ activities for Saturday, January 24th, must conclude by 4:00 pm. All activities scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, are canceled. All GCPS facilities will close at 4 pm on Saturday and remain closed on Sunday.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) has used three traditional inclement weather days, as required by the State. Virtual Learning Days could not be used until this occurred. Since we met this criterion, GCPS is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Monday, January 26, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Friday, January 23, 2026. No decision has been made at this time. A message will be sent through our regular media outlets and school system alerts no later than 6:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
As established on the Approved 2025-26 GCPS Calendar, a three-hour early dismissal is planned for Monday, January 26, 2026. This Professional Day provides an opportunity for teachers to bring closure to the first semester/2nd grading term. This day no longer floats as it did in prior years. If GCPS shifts to a virtual learning day on Monday, the three-hour early dismissal will occur, and students should follow the schedule provided by their school.
Due to the potential impact of this system, plans are in place to utilize additional Virtual Learning Days, if needed. Full details of the 2025-26 GCPS Virtual Learning Plan are available on the homepage of our website, www.gcps.net.
Southern Garrett High School Class Selected as Hickory's Finest for December 2025
Each month, staff at the Hickory Environmental Education Center proudly recognize Hickory’s Finest! 🌟
One outstanding class is selected for demonstrating positive behavior, excellent listening skills, and strong teamwork with classmates. Students receive a certificate to celebrate their achievement, and the teacher is awarded a Hickory shirt.
For December 2025, students from Mr. Camden Nichols' class at Southern Garrett High School were chosen by Hickory staff. Congratulations to these students for being selected as the December Hickory’s Finest! 👏🍃
Pictured:
Back row, left to right - Mr. Nichols, Lukas Maracini, Ty Getson, Andrew Coddington, Rebecca Sislo, Sadie Turner, Lindsey Miller, and Paislee Spink.
Front row, left to right - Daniel Savage, Jaxson Getson, Jayden Weaver, Lily Zimmerman, and Abi Teets.
Not pictured: Alicia Council
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟐𝟐/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late today, Thursday, January 22, 2026.
There are more influences on good health and well-being than biology and genetics alone. A wide range of factors can influence an individual’s health, many of which they may not control. Known as the social determinants of health, these factors play a significant role in a person’s ability to access necessary care.
What Are Social Determinants of Health?
Social determinants of health are defined as the environmental conditions in which people are born, live, play, and work, that can ultimately affect their physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Often referred to as SDOH, these factors can be grouped into five categories:
- Economic Stability
- Educational Access and Quality
- Health Care Access and Quality
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Social and Community
Research has shown that social factors and other non-medical factors play a significant role in the disparities in healthcare seen today. For example, people who lack access to grocery stores with healthy foods are less likely to have adequate nutrition. That raises their risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity — and even lowers life expectancy relative to people who do have access to healthy foods.
More information about SDOH can be found by visiting the World Health Organization website at https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟐𝟎/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open three (3) hours late on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐉𝐫. 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏/𝟏𝟗/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Both schools and offices will be closed. GCPS is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. For full calendar details, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟏𝟔/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡!
Mark your calendars! The sixth annual Cool Schools Dunk returns to Deep Creek Lake on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This annual event brings our schools and community together to support Unified Sports in Garrett County, promoting inclusion, teamwork, and school spirit—all with a little cold-water courage.
The event will be held at Uno Deep Creek. Students from Broad Ford (6th grade only), Northern Middle, Northern High, and Southern High Schools are able to dunk by making a donation or raising funds. All funds raised stay in Garrett County!
Mark your calendars now! To donate, please contact your favorite student or school and become a sponsor. Additional information, including donation links, may be found at https://support.somd.org/event/2026-cool-schools-dunk/e685293.
All afternoon and evening activities for Garrett County Public Schools are canceled for today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) has received approval from the State Superintendent to waive student attendance at Broad Ford School on Friday, April 17th, and Monday, April 20th, 2026. GCPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda McCartney requested the waiver following a recommendation from the Broad Ford School Transition Committee and after receiving the support of the Garrett County Board of Education.
This waiver will allow staff dedicated time to move into the newly renovated school and prepare classrooms and instructional spaces to ensure a smooth transition for students. All other Garrett County Public Schools will follow the GCPS Operational Calendar on these days.
Broad Ford students will start classes in the new building on April 21, 2026.
UPDATE 1/15/26 7:35 a.m.:
Garrett County Public Schools will now be closed today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools will open three (3) hours late today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟕 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫
During the January 13, 2026, Board Meeting, the proposed Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) 2026-27 school calendar, developed by the GCPS Calendar Committee, was approved. It is now available on the Public Relations page of our website: www.gcps.net/public-relations, under the GCPS Calendars tab. The Calendar Committee, which consisted of parents, staff, administrators, and a Board member, met in November & December 2025, and January 2026.
The approved calendar features a pre-Labor Day start, with students returning to school on August 31, 2026, and the school tentatively concluding on June 3, 2027. Professional development days are scheduled throughout the year. The 91st day of school is scheduled for January 28, 2027. Students will be dismissed three hours early on this day. The day will NOT move (or “float”) as it has in the past.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held once, on February 1, 2027, tentatively planned to occur from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. All major holidays are also school holidays. Additional holidays include October 9, 2026 (Autumn Glory Friday), November 3, 2026 (Election Day), November 30, 2026 (Thanksgiving Monday), and March 29, 2027 (Easter Monday).
Three make-up days are scheduled during the school year to account for potential inclement weather: February 15, March 29, and June 4, 2027. These make-up dates are marked with snowflakes on the calendar and will be used in numerical order as possible make-up days. Since it's impossible to predict inclement weather days or emergency system-wide closings, it is recommended that vacations not be scheduled until at least after June 11th to avoid any scheduling conflicts. If additional days are needed, the school year will be extended to meet the state requirement of 180 days.
