About
- Profile
- Core Statement, Values, and Beliefs
- Org Chart
- Our Community
- Location
- Frequently Asked Questions
Profile
The Carroll County Public Schools are located near both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. The region can best be characterized as a rural area, rapidly becoming suburban. Today, over 25,200 students are enrolled in our schools, ranking us as the 10th largest school system in the state of Maryland. The system is governed by the Board of Education, which is made up of five elected members and a student representative.
The Carroll County Public School System ranks as one of the top-performing school systems in the state of Maryland. Instructional staff are continually recognized at the state and national levels for their performance with numerous awards. The educational programs developed in the Carroll County Public School System are also recognized statewide and nationally for their high standards and innovative approaches.
Carroll County students consistently score above state and national averages on standardized student assessments. Carroll County also has one of the highest graduation rates and lowest dropout rates in the state. These factors, combined with the success of the outstanding Career and Technology Program, the support of the business community, and the involvement of parents in the county, help Carroll County to produce students who are college and career ready.
Carroll County Public Schools focuses on excellence by preparing students to be globally competitive, addressing the needs of individual students, maintaining an effective workforce, and ensuring students are educated in safe and orderly environments.
Core Statement, Values, and Beliefs
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Core Statement
Core Values
The Board of Education establishes the following core values.
- The Pursuit of Excellence
- Life-long Learning and Success
- A Safe and Orderly Learning Environment
- Community Participation
- Fairness, Honesty, and Respect
- Continuous Improvement
- Reflecting the priorities, beliefs, and mores of our local community
Core Beliefs
The Board of Education believes that the Carroll County Public Schools system operates effectively and efficiently when:
The greater Carroll County community:
- Values the importance of a quality education
- Supports educational initiatives at home
- Volunteers in schools
- Forms partnerships with schools to support system initiatives
All central office staff:
- Establish and maintain a framework for organizational decisions to be based on empirical data
- Establish and maintain a safe and orderly environment for students and staff
- Provide adequate resources that are equitably distributed
- Provide an equitable educational opportunity for all students
- Communicate effectively with all stakeholders
- Enforce accountability for system initiatives
- Models effective leadership and professional respect
- Provide a diverse program of studies with a global perspective designed to meet students’ educational goals
- Coordinate professional development opportunities that are relevant, site-base, job embedded, aligned with the tenets of cultural proficiency, and meet the needs of all staff.
- Empower employees, students, and communities to make school-based decisions within an established framework
All school staff:
- Welcome their school community
- Establish positive home and school relationships
- Provide a safe and orderly learning environment for students and staff
- Work to ensure that every child succeeds
- Display cultural proficiency
- Prepare students with a global education
- Place priority on the educational needs of students
- Motivate students to learn
- Recognize the unique learning styles of each student
- Facilitate learning by encouraging, prompting, and interacting with students
- Establish and maintain positive and appropriate relationships with students
- Ensure learning by providing instruction that meets each student’s individual needs
- Support student success
- Encourage students to make choices that provide challenges
- Assess student progress through both formal and informal methods and then provide appropriate and targeted data-driven instruction
- Engage students in rigorous and relevant instruction
All students:
- Enroll in coursework that prepares them to be career – college ready
- Obtain the skills to thrive as independent 21st century learners
- Become knowledgeable, responsible, and caring citizens
- Demonstrate respect for the learning environment and other individuals
- Reach their potential
- Develop effective communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
- Participate in varied co-curricular and extracurricular activities
Revised 9/24/12
Org Chart
Our Community
Carroll County is a quiet family community nestled approximately 30 miles northwest of Baltimore City and 22 miles southeast of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The county is composed of 456 square miles of gently rolling hills and rich farmland, with a total population of approximately 148,000 community residents. The county is located in the middle latitudes and enjoys a pleasant climate with four well-defined seasons, with January and early February serving as the coldest period of the year, and the warmest being the last half of July. Westminster, with a population of 32,000, is the largest of eight towns and serves as the county seat. |
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The largest employer in the county is the Board of Education. However, Black and Decker, Random House and Northrup Grumman (formerly Westinghouse Electric) are just some of the well-known names that currently serve as major employers in the area and are part of a very active Chamber of Commerce. Many find it convenient to work outside the county, while still enjoying the quality of life Carroll offers its residents. The county's average unemployment rate is 3.7% |
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Two colleges are located in Carroll County. McDaniel College which is located in Westminster, is the first private, co-educational institution of higher learning south of the Mason Dixon Line. The college has nearly 1500 students from 22 states and 10 foreign countries. Carroll Community College, which is also located in Westminster, is a student-centered, public, two-year, co-educational, and non-residential institution serving 4,000 students and nearly 6,000 continuing education students. |
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Today, Carroll County is a thriving community, filled with excitement and recreation. Although it is a quiet and peaceful setting, the county is a convenient distance from the culture, entertainment, and sports of larger cities such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The Baltimore Orioles and Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Stadium are only a short-distance away. |
Location
Founded in 1837 from parts of Baltimore and Frederick Counties, Carroll County is located in the Piedmont region of north central Maryland approximately 30 miles northwest of Baltimore City and 22 miles southeast of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The county is composed of 456 square miles of gently rolling hills and rich farmland, with a total population of approximately 140,000 community residents. Westminster is the largest of eight incorporated towns in the county and serves as the county seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- How large is the Carroll County Public School System?
- How is the school system's Board of Education organized?
- How do Carroll County students perform on state and standardized tests?
- How is pupil progress reported?
- How can I receive school news via e-mail?
- Is transportation available to students?
- How does the school system's school lunch program work?
- How do I address a concern?
- How can a child be registered for school?
- How does CCPS respond when inclement weather occurs?
- Are visitors permitted in the schools?
- How is my child expected to dress?
How large is the Carroll County Public School System?
Today, approximately 25,300 students attend Carroll County Public Schools, ranking us as the ninth largest school system in the state of Maryland. Approximately 3,300 people are employed by the school system to provide the necessary programs and supporting services for students. The system is made up of twenty-two elementary schools, eight middle schools, seven high schools, one career and technology center, one special education center, and Gateway School/Crossroads Middle, which house alternative programs for students.
How is the school system's Board of Education organized?
The Board of Education of Carroll County is comprised of five members who are elected for terms of four years and a student representative who is elected once a year by the Carroll County Student Government Association. The County Commissioners serve as non-voting, ex-officio members of the Board. The Superintendent serves as the Board's Executive Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer.
How do Carroll County students perform on state and standardized tests?
Carroll County Public School students score well above state and national averages.
Please visit www.mdreportcard.org to view complete assessment information.
How is pupil progress reported?
How can I receive school news via e-mail?
The Carroll County Public School System uses SchoolMessenger to provide parents with information from their child’s school and the school system. SchoolMessenger is capable of delivering both e-mail, phone, and SMS alerts to parents. Other information, including school newsletters, announcements of upcoming events and activities, parent group updates, and information from the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools. Parents and guardians do not need to subscribe to this communication system. All contact information is taken from the student information system, which is based on the information provided on the emergency procedure cards. This provides schools with the flexibility to target newsletters and other communications to parents of students by grade, homeroom teacher, bus number, and other criteria.
Is transportation available to students?
How does the school system's school lunch program work?
Nutrition is an integral part of a student's health and well-being and helps make them more responsive to classroom instruction and school activities. All students are eligible for balanced, nutritional meals during the school day. Application forms and guidelines are available for students who may qualify for free and reduced price meals. Menus and prices are distributed or posted in each school and are available under Food Services.
How do I address a concern?
- A child's teacher should be addressed on matters concerning progress, what is being taught, or any other matter related to the classroom operation. The teacher can be reached through phone, or e-mail, or by sending a note to arrange a conference.
- The principal of the school should be addressed on matters of school-wide operation or policy, general school information, or help with a problem.
- Directors and Assistant Superintendents should be contacted on matters that cannot be resolved by the principal.
- The Superintendent of Schools is responsible to the Board of Education for the administration of the school system. The Superintendent can be contacted at the Board of Education offices or by email to CynthiaMcCabe@carrollk12.org. The Board of Education members are elected by the citizens of Carroll County and can also be reached through the Board of Education offices or by visiting the Board Members page on our website.
How can a child be registered for school?
Only the natural parent or legal guardian may register a child for school. In order to register, you are required to present the following items before your child may be enrolled: a legal proof of age, proof of legal residence in Carroll County, and a complete immunization record showing that the child has had the proper immunizations as required by law. Maryland law also requires that all first-time enterers have a physical examination no sooner than nine months before or no later than six months after entrance into school. Questions regarding these requirements can be directed to a counselor or the principal of the school in which you plan to enroll your child, or the Pupil Personnel Worker assigned to your school.
How does CCPS respond when inclement weather occurs?
Transportation officials consult with weather forecasters, the State Police, highway departments and other sources in each section of the county to determine road conditions. With the safety of our students as the top priority, the Superintendent makes the final decision based on recommendations from the Director of Transportation Services. The public will be notified through radio and TV stations, in addition to the CCPS website and Carroll Educational Television - Channel 21. SchoolMessenger phone calls, emails and texts (for those who opt-in to receive texts) will be sent to parents. Announcements will be made, if possible, no later than 6:00 a.m.
Are visitors permitted in the schools?
Parents and the general public are encouraged to visit schools to meet administrators and staff, to view the facilities, to gain knowledge of the instructional program, and to share personal ideas. Visitors should arrange their visit in advance to ensure that the time is appropriate and does not interfere with planned activities. All visitors should report to the school office on arrival at the school.
How is my child expected to dress?
Students are required to groom themselves in a manner that is modest, clean, appropriate, decent, and not disruptive to the educational process. Students are expected to abide by a dress code upon arrival to the school building through the defined ending of the school day. The requirements may be accessed through the informational calendar.