TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools welcomed more than 110,000 students back to 174 schools and programs Monday, marking the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers greeted students at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, emphasizing the school system’s readiness and new initiatives for the year.
“Team BCPS has worked hard to prepare for today and build on our success, all to make sure we fast forward into an exciting, promising, and welcoming new school year,” Rogers said in a statement. “This is the first day of an entire school year full of inspired instruction, academic achievement, and student learning and growth.”
BCPS Board of Education Chair Jane Lichter added, “Both the board and Dr. Rogers and her team are ready for both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Working together, we know we can build upon a solid foundation and really move student and school progress forward.”
The district is beginning the year with a near-full staff, reporting fewer than 42 teacher vacancies as of Aug. 22. According to the school system, 141 schools have no vacancies, and 97% of schools with openings have two or fewer. This hiring success is the result of seven hiring events over the summer that attracted 1,700 attendees. The district has hired 532 new teachers, along with new principals, bus drivers, and other staff.
Among the new initiatives for the school year is the “Off and Away, Every School, Every Day” campaign, which restricts cell phone use during instructional time in all elementary and middle schools. The policy was developed in collaboration with school administrators, the PTA Council of Baltimore County, and other stakeholders.
In addition to the new cell phone policy, the district is also updating its student device allocation plan. Elementary and middle school students will no longer take devices home, though they can be checked out when needed. There is no change to the high school device policy.
The district is also continuing its “Here for It” campaign, now in its third year, to combat chronic absenteeism. The campaign provides resources and support to reduce barriers to school attendance.
To support academic progress, elementary students will continue to use the HMH Into Reading and Bridges in Mathematics curriculums. Twenty-four elementary schools will also participate in a cursive writing pilot program. In secondary schools, new curriculums will be fully implemented for English Language Arts and mathematics.
The district is also prioritizing student mental and emotional well-being, partnering with more than two dozen community mental health providers. Students ages 13 and older can continue to access free virtual therapy through TalkSpace.
BCPS will also continue its partnership with the Baltimore County Police Department and use school safety detection systems like Omnilert and Open Gate to ensure a safe learning environment.
Photo via Baltimore County Public Schools
