Our county certainly has something to be proud of!

Amid the craziness of final exams, preparation for 8th grade promotion, interviewing candidates to be my co-team for next year, and making last-minute plans for our Six Flags trip, it is always encouraging to receive an uplifting and motivating email from the big wigs in the county. Here is one such note from our superintendent from today:

June 10, 2010

 

To my colleagues,

 

I want to share some great news with you—Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has the highest graduation rate of any of the 50 largest school districts in the nation, according to a report released byEducation Week this morning. The Diplomas Count 2010 report calculates the MCPS graduation rate at 83.1 percent, 2.4 percentage points higher than last year’s rate. This is the second year in a row that MCPS has had the highest graduation rate on this list.  Fairfax County Public Schools has the second-highest rate at 82.5 percent.

 

Obviously, being the highest-performing large district in this report is something to celebrate, but ultimately, the graduation rate is more than just a statistic: It represents thousands of students who have a brighter future because they’ve earned a meaningful diploma. For the past two weeks, I have attended many of our high school graduations and I have seen the pride and fulfillment in the faces of our students as they walk across the stage. I have seen parents beaming with joy as they watch their children reach this important milestone and take the next step toward a successful future. Regardless of what your job is at MCPS, you have played an important role in making this day happen for them.

 

The news is even brighter for our students because, each year, more of them are graduating prepared for rigors of college and the workplace. Over the past several months we’ve had much to celebrate. More students than ever are taking and passing Advanced Placement classes; their SAT scores are at an all-time high; and collectively the class of 2010 has earned more than $230 million in college scholarships, an increase of nearly $50 million from last year. Of course, you also should take great pride that MCPS is one of five finalists for the Broad Prize for Urban Education because it is an external validation of your commitment and your success.

 

On behalf of our students and our community, I thank you for your dedication to the students of Montgomery County and congratulate you on a job well done. 

 

Respectfully,

 

Jerry D. Weast, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools

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Kudos to all MCPS teachers, staff, parents, and community members who made this achievement possible! We truly do make a difference in our students' lives.