Page 45 - Garrett County 2024/2025 Visitors Guide

which include attendance, team work
and other key professional measures. Upon graduation, they are guaranteed an interview with participating employers as long as they meet basic qualifications for the position.
Another important component of GCPS’ work-readiness focus is the career and technical education (CTE) program. It is intended to prepare students for high-skill and high-wage jobs in a technologically advanced, global society. What makes GCPS’ CTE programs special is that
they are a fully integrated part of the comprehensive high school educational system — meaning that students enter them through the same process as all other electives. The school system is always working on new certification and credentialing opportunities to enhance
its existing programs. Currently, Garrett County students may choose to complete CTE courses in the following interest areas:
• Agricultural Production
• Allied Health
• Automotive Mechanic
• Biomedical Sciences
• Business, Management and Finance
• Carpentry
• Computer Science
• Food Production & Service
• Manufacturing Engineering Technology
• Pre-Engineering
HIGHER EDUCATION AT
GARRETT COLLEGE
Many of Garrett County’s high school graduates choose to continue their education at Garrett College, which
offers degrees or certificates in locally relevant fields such as Outdoor Leadership & Adventure Education and Natural Resources & Wildlife Technology. Students can also complete associate’s degrees
or certificate courses in in-demand fields like Addictions Counseling, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Graphic/Web Design, Nursing and Education.
In addition to serving recent high school graduates, Garrett College is a resource for adults who wish to take non-credit courses to boost their professional skills or explore new interests.
Garrett College’s main campus is located in McHenry, with outreach centers in Accident,
Maryland Accountability Scores
Three-Star Schools 0
Two-Star Schools 0
One-Star Schools 0
SAT Mean Scores (2022-2023):
Average Composite 1,100
Total Test Takers 116 Sources: Garrett County Public Schools,
Maryland Department of Education
Oakland and Grantsville. The campus hosts a state-of-the-art STEM building that includes classrooms and laboratories for physics, biology, chemistry, engineering and robotics.
Through a dual-enrollment program, GCPS students can take classes that offer both high school and college credit. The courses can be taken in person at the high school or on the college campus, but also online. Because Garrett College is an accredited institution, the earned credits will transfer to any college or university the student plans to attend.
AP Scores (2023):
Unlike many two-year community schools, Garrett offers on-campus housing on the McHenry campus. Students have access to two distinctive styles of residential living: traditional suite-style housing and two-and four-bedroom apartment-style housing designed to meet the diverse needs of students.
The most recent addition to Garrett College is a beautiful Performing Arts Center (performingartsgc.com) that provides year- round access to music, theater and dance performances.
// QUALITY OF LIFE: Education
Public Schools at a Glance
Garrett County
MD
Student Enrollment (9/30/22)
3,500
889,971
Cost/Pupil (2023)
$8,688
$10,147
Attendance Rate (All Grades) (2022)
92.8%
91.1%
Drop-out Rate (Grades 9-12) (2022)
3.73%
8.54%
4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate (2022)
91.64%
86.29%
Percent of high school graduates enrolled in college within 16 months of graduation (2022)
55.5%
63.1%
Five-Star Schools (highest score)
3 (Accident Elementary, Swan Meadow School and Northern Garrett Middle)
Four-Star Schools
9 (Northern Garrett High, Crellin Elementary, Route 40 Elementary, Southern Garrett Middle, Southern Garrett High, Grantsville Elementary, Broad Ford Elementary, Friendsville Elementary and Yough Glades Elementary)
GCPS was the only school system in the state to attain all four- and five-star rated schools.
Composite
(% scoring 3, 4, or 5)
60.6%
Total Test Takers
174 (251 exams)
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