Education

Carroll County boasts a wide variety of educational institutions within the county for students of all levels including public schools, private schools, career and technology centers, Carroll Community College, and McDaniel College. There are also many education institutions that are just an easy commute away.

The Carroll County Public School System consistently ranks as one of the top-performing school systems in the state of Maryland. Numerous awards, at both the state and national level, have been bestowed upon Carroll's instructional staff and students. 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 the Scholastic Aptitude Test and other standardized tests. Carroll County also has one of the highest college attendance rates in the State. Today, more than 28,000 students are enrolled in Carroll County Public Schools.

Elementary Schools (22)
• Average Enrollment - 536
• Average Class Size - 20.8

Middle Schools (9)
• Average Enrollment - 745
• Average Class Size - 25.3

High Schools (7)
Average Enrollment - 1,369
47.7% of students enter 4-year colleges
15.2% of students enter 2-year colleges

Career & Technology Centers (2)
• National award-winning teachers, students and programs
• Offers 28 accredited programs
• Students can earn college credit
• 99% student employment rate
• 98% employer satisfaction rate

Average SAT Scores (from 2006)
• Carroll County 1545
• Maryland 1498
• Nation 1511

Student attendance rate - 96%

Student dropout rate - 1.5%

Carroll County Public School's award-winning career and technology educational programs are among the best in the state. The purpose of the programs is to meet the challenge of continuing to supply employers with skilled, productive and independent workers. Over twenty-eight programs of study including drafting, computer technology, pre-engineering, machine technology, electrical constructions, electronics, nursing, agri-science and business training are offered at the two career and technology centers and the seven comprehensive high schools.

Over the past five years, total enrollment in degree-credit and continuing education courses at Carroll Community College has been increasing at twice the rate of Maryland community colleges statewide. Official state forecasts suggest Carroll's enrollment will grow another 38 percent by 2016.

Over 13,000 individuals take a class at Carroll Community College each year.

Carroll Community College enrolls more Carroll County residents than any other college or university. Half of Carroll County residents starting college in Maryland as full-time students start at Carroll; 70 percent of all County residents attending college part-time attend Carroll.

Carroll Community College offers five transfer programs and eleven career programs. Within the Arts and Sciences program, the college has identified 12 transfer patterns preparing students for baccalaureate study in fields such as Criminal Justice, Music, Psychology, and Theater. With proper advising and planning, students may begin any baccalaureate degree at Carroll.

Programs producing the most graduates in recent years are Arts and Sciences, General Studies, Business Administration, Nursing, and Physical Therapist Assistant.

Carroll consistently has one of the highest transfer rates among community colleges in the state. During the past five years, Carroll students transferred to over 300 different colleges and universities.

The college's Office of Continuing Education and Training designs custom training programs to meet the needs of a specific business or industry. Classes are held at the company site or at the college's Hikel Business Training Center. The Center is equipped with computer labs, seminar rooms, teleconference center, interactive video training room and lab space for technical training.

A private four-year liberal arts and sciences college founded as Western Maryland College in 1867.  This prestigious college offers bachelor and graduate study programs including preparatory programs in engineering and the health professions.  Centrally located in Westminster on a 160-acre campus, the college has recently completed construction on new academic buildings, lifestyle centers and residence halls.

McDaniel was one of only 40 colleges recognized in the book, "Colleges That Change Lives". The college also sponsors sports, theater, lectures, workshops and other special community events including the NFL's Baltimore Ravens summer training camp.

Carroll Christian Schools

• Preschool through high school
  
• Enrollment - 405
• Before- and after-school care
  
• Bus Service (limited)
  
• American Association of Christian Schools
  
• Maryland Association of Christian Schools

Carroll Lutheran School

• Kindergarten through 8th grade
  
• Enrollment - 85
  
• Before- and after-school care
  
• Christian based education
  
• Accredited

Gerstell Academy

• Kindergarten through 12th grade (eventually)
  
• Enrollment - 60 (pre-K - 6th)
  
• College preparatory focusing on leadership, moral & ethical decision-making
  
• An independent, co-educational, non-sectarian school

Faith Christian School

• Pre-school through 12th grade
  
• Enrollment - 160
  
• Bibled-centered curriculum
  
• Before- and after-school care

Montessori School of Westminster

• Pre-school through 9th grade
  
• Enrollment - 179
  
• All day kindergarten
  
• Before- and after-school care
  
• AIMS Accredited
• Private, Montessori-based, co-educational, non-secular
  

St. John's Catholic School

• Kindergarten through 8th grade
  
• Enrollment - 460
  
• Before- and after-school care
  
• Bus transportation available (Limited)
  
• Strong, formalized computer education program
  
• Acrredited, Middle States Asssociation of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary Schools

Other Private School Options

The following Baltimore-based private schools serve a special segment of the educational needs for some Carroll County families.

• St. Paul's School
  
• St. Paul's School for Girls
  
• McDonogh School
  
• Garrision Forest School

World class institutions within a 50-mile/one hour commute include the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Hood College, Loyola College, Mount St. Mary's, University of Baltimore, Towson University, Georgetown University and American University are the academic homes to many local residents. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered in virtually any field including the sciences, humanities, engineering, arts, law and medicine.

• American University
• Baltimore Hebrew University
• Bowie State University
• College of Notre Dame of Maryland
• Coppin State
• Georgetown University
• Gettysburg College
• Goucher College
• Hood College
• Howard University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Loyola College
• Maryland Institute of Art
• Morgan State University
• Mount Saint Mary's College
• St. John's College
• Towson University
• United States Naval Academy
• University of Baltimore
• University of Maryland at Baltimore
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• University of Maryland at College Park
• Villa Julie College
• York College