Anne Arundel County Public Schools is the public school district serving Anne Arundel County, Maryland. With over 80,000 students, the AACPS school system is the 5th largest in Maryland and the 46th largest in the United States.
There are new principals at 19 schools across the county. Eleven of those – Corkran and Southern middle schools; Brock Bridge, Edgewater, Hilltop, Meade Heights, Oakwood, and Quarterfield elementary schools; the Ferndale Early Education Center; Monarch Academy Annapolis; and the AACPS Virtual Academy – will be led educators in their first year as an AACPS principal.
AACPS has hired more than 550 new teachers for the coming school year, with more than 23 percent of those being diverse candidates. More than 130 of the new teachers are AACPS graduates.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY SCHOOL TUITION
The district has over 5,000 teachers, supporting a comprehensive curriculum from Pre-K through 12th grade.
AACPS primarily consists of 79 elementary schools (Pre-K or K, through grade 5), 19 middle schools (grades 6–8), and 12 high schools (grades 9-12).
AACPS maintains 2 centers of applied technology, 3 charter and contract schools, 3 special education centers, 1 alternative high school, 1 middle school learning center, and 1 center for emotionally impaired students known as the Phoenix Center.
Many AACPS schools have garnered recognition for their academic programs, with appointments as National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
Anne Arundel’s high school students who have an unweighted cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and who are 16 or older (or under 16 but qualify for AACC’s Gifted and Talented Program*) can take AACC courses at half-price tuition. The college credits earned may be transferable to a four-year college or university.
This opportunity, formerly called Jump Start, allows students to tackle first-year basics with math, English, psychology, or science as well as start exploring career options in architecture, business, information technology, homeland security, teaching and so much more.
Students under 16 must meet AACC’s criteria for Gifted and Talented, including demonstrating eligibility for ENG-101, meeting with the admissions director Cassandra Moore, and getting permission from the department prior to enrolling in a course.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To register your student successfully in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, please read carefully and follow the steps below.
Read: BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS REVIEW 2024
Step 1
Two Proofs of Residency in Anne Arundel County At least two proofs of residency are needed to register students, but more may be required.
1. A Lease, Mortgage Document, Deed, or Title is required. If the provided documentation is not in your name, a notarized Tenant Resident Verification (TRV) must accompany the specified document.
You can obtain a TRV at any public school in your area.
2. A recent utility bill or current bank statement addressed to the homeowner or renter must also be provided. Changes in home address or contact information should be communicated to the school promptly and proof of new residence provided.
Step 2
Proof of Birth An original birth certificate or passport must be provided. If a birth certificate is not available, an affidavit with substantiating documentation is required.
Step 3
Current Health Documentation Official documentation, including complete dates (month, day, year) of vaccine administration or a valid exemption is required for student registration.
Call your local health care provider or Anne Arundel County Department of Health area health centers for vaccine requirements before scheduling your appointment at the International Student & Family Welcome Center. Glen Burnie Health Center 416 A Street, S.W., Glen Burnie, MD 21061 410-222-6633 Fax 410-222-6077 Parole Health Center 1950 Drew Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 410-222-7247 Fax 410-222-4323
Additionally, proof of a QuantiFERON TB blood test is required to register students who have resided in a foreign country for at least 6 months or more.
Results of the test are required before students may begin school.
Step 4
Previous School Documentation School records and/or original transcripts must be presented for secondary students and are recommended for elementary students. Recent periods of non-school attendance must be accounted for.
If the translated document is submitted, the original document in the original language must also be supplied.
If you need more clarification on this, make sure to call 410-263-6420 to make an appointment. Note—Registering students must be accompanied by a parent, court-appointed guardian, or legal custodian. If the student is to be unaccompanied, please call the International Student & Family Welcome Center for consultation. Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 am –4:00 pm.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENROLMENT PROCEDURE
To locate the school your child would attend in Anne Arundel County, go to www.aacps.org/mapinfo.asp.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ registration for the 2024-2024 school year kicks off, and parents and guardians can reserve their child’s seat by enrolling online beginning on Wednesday, April 7, 2024.
The primary option for registration will be AACPS’ online registration portal, though families unable to access the portal can contact the school their student will attend. Families can also scan a QR code available at all elementary schools and on flyers distributed by AACPS to access the enrollment portal.
Families should have the following required documents in their possession and ready to be uploaded in a PDF, JPG, OR PNG format when registering a child for kindergarten:
- Proof of identity
- The child’s original birth certificate or birth record
- A copy of the student’s immunization record
- Two proofs of residency (deed/lease/mortgage and current utility bill)
- Custody order (if applicable)
For assistance in locating your assigned school, click on the Locate Your School link and the AACPS website.
Families unable to access the registration portal have two additional options:
- Contact their student’s school to have a staff member complete the enrollment form on their behalf and submit the required enrollment documents electronically.
- Contact the school to schedule an in-person appointment. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a limited number of in-person appointments will be available at schools and some appointments may not be available until the summer months.
Walk-in registrations will not be permitted.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY SCHOOL CALENDAR
School supplies have returned to the shelves. That means families across Anne Arundel County are marking their calendars with the first day of class.
Students head back after Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 6) and Rosh Hashanah (Tuesday, Sept. 7). Here is when Anne Arundel County Public Schools students will return.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held during those partial-day periods on October 21, 2024 (early dismissal), November 22, 2024 (late arrival), November 23, 2024 (early dismissal) March 7, 2024 (late arrival), and March 8, 2024 (early dismissal). The calendar also calls for schools to be closed for students on May 3, 2024, for Eid al-Fitr. That day will be a professional development day for staff.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2024-2024
| School Holidays | Starts | Finishes |
| First Day of School | 8 Sep 2024 (Wed) | |
| Thanksgiving Break | 24 Nov 2024 (Wed) | 26 Nov 2024 (Fri) |
| Christmas Break | 24 Dec 2024 (Fri) | 31 Dec 2024 (Fri) |
| Spring Break | 11 Apr 2024 (Mon) | 18 Apr 2024 (Mon) |
| Last Day of School | 21 Jun 2024 (Tue) | |
| Summer Break | 22 Jun 2024 (Wed) |
Read: Hanover County Schools | Admission, Requirements, Tuition, Calendar
RANKINGS OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Schools in Anne Arundel County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Maryland public schools. Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public school average of 63% (majority Black).
For the 2024-22 school year, there are 125 public schools serving 83,457 students in Anne Arundel County, MD. Anne Arundel County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Maryland.
The top-ranked public schools in Anne Arundel County, MD are Shipley’s Choice Elementary School, Benfield Elementary School, and Severna Park High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school’s combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Anne Arundel County, MD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Maryland public school average of 38%), and a reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Anne Arundel County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Maryland public schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public school average of 63% (majority Black).
ARE THERE BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENTS AT ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Yes, there are. All schools have scheduled Back-To-School Nights to provide parents with a chance to learn more about the instruction that their children are receiving and to meet the teachers who are providing that instruction. Detailed information on dates and times for every school can be found on the AACPS website.
WILL MY CHILD BE ABLE TO GET NEW EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
As AACPS returns to in-person learning, approximately 580 students will make up the population of the new AACPS Virtual Academy. Enrolled are students in grades 3 through 12 who cannot return to in-person learning in the 2024-2024 school year.
Instruction for these students will take place virtually, with no in-person opportunities.
ARE THERE BUS ROUTES FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
The new school year brings with it the resumption of full bus runs across the county, with AACPS employees and contractors operating more than 600 buses performing multiple runs each day.
Per federal and state regulations, masks must be worn by all persons on the school buses at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
The school system is adjusting daily to routes to adapt to the impact of the nationwide bus driver shortage as it attempts to run every bus route on time every day. Routes, where that will not occur, will be published daily on the AACPS website beginning on September 8.
Read: Stokes County Schools Review | Admission, Requirements, Tuition, Calendar
HOW DO I APPLY FOR SCHOOL MEALS AND BENEFITS AT ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
School breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for all students in the 2024-2024 school year. The Division of Food and Nutrition Services will make arrangements for families of students who are quarantined to pick up meals for that student.
While meals are free, it is still necessary for families who would qualify for free or reduced-price meals to fill out a meal benefit application form.
An accurate collection of data related to students eligible for free and reduced-price meals is critical to school system funding, but it also opens opportunities for families to receive additional benefits such as discounted internet access; reductions in SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement exam fees; and discounts on fees related to college applications.
ARE THERE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
AACPS continues to employ health and safety protocols developed in conjunction with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.
As per protocols announced by Superintendent George Arlotto in early August and reinforced by the Maryland State Board of Education two weeks ago, anyone indoors at AACPS schools and offices, with limited exceptions, must be masked.
Mask protocols for students and staff at schools on Fort George G. Meade will be impacted by federal directives since the base is located on federal property and may differ from AACPS masking protocols in incidences where base protocols are more stringent. Families at such schools will be notified by their schools as to the protocols.
To minimize the number of person-to-person interactions in school buildings, AACPS is limiting volunteer and parent/guardian access to buildings during the school day at the outset of the year. AACPS will adjust limits as appropriate.
WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENT IMMUNIZATIONS AT ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that their child’s immunizations and records are both up to date and on file with the school.
Students who do not have documentation of required immunizations will not be allowed to attend school when the school year starts. Parents who have questions should check with their child’s school.
A list of required immunizations can be found online.
Note: COVID-19 vaccinations are not among those required for school entry.
Read: Kanawha County Schools Review 2024| Admission, Tuition, Requirements, Calendar
HOW DO FAMILIES GET INFORMATION ON ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Guidance related to COVID-19 protocols and other school system matters can be found on AACPS’ website. Information will be updated as changes occur on the Fall 2024 reopening site.
Families who can’t find answers to their questions online can call the AACPS Family Information Line at 410-222-5001. The line offers service in English and Spanish. It features a directory to connect families to key departments and a place to leave voice mails that are retrieved at least twice daily.
THERE ARE SECURITY REMINDERS FOR VISITORS TO ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
To assist AACPS in maintaining a safe and secure environment for students and staff, county schools are equipped with A/I phones which allow office personnel to communicate with visitors to determine the nature of their visit before allowing admittance to the school office.
Parents, community members, school system employees, and others planning to visit schools are reminded that AACPS security procedures require all visitors to show a government-issued identification card (such as a driver’s license) to be admitted into a school.
The ID card is scanned through a system that cross-references visitors against sexual offender databases.
Visitors must not hold the front door of a school open to allow other visitors not in their party into a school.
Additionally, work to construct security vestibules (double entryways) that prevent visitors from having direct access to classrooms, continues at schools around the county.
NOTICES OF EMERGENCY CLOSINGS AND DELAYS AT ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Changes to school schedules caused by inclement weather or other emergency conditions are announced through Connect-ED via telephone, email, and text message; posted on the school system’s website, Facebook page, Twitter page (@AACountySchools), and the Instagram page (aacountyschools); posted on all individual school Twitter pages; and announced on major area radio and television stations, including AACPS-TV (Channel 96 on Comcast and Broadstripe, and Channel 36 on Verizon; HD broadcasts on Channel 996 on Comcast, Channel 496 on Broadstripe, and Channel 1961 on Verizon).
The most reliable places to look for updated closing and delayed opening information are the AACPS website and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
More information about Anne Arundel County Public Schools calendar can be accessed from the school website.
Read: Hamilton County Schools Review 2024 | Admission, Tuition, Requirements, Calendar
IN CONCLUSION
The 2024-2024 school year brings a return to full classrooms of students as Anne Arundel County Public Schools returns to five days per week instruction after a year of virtual and hybrid education. Always remember that Anne Arundel County Public Schools have your best interest at heart.
REFERENCES
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