Dr. Carey Wright State Superintendent | Maryland Department Of Education
Nearly 890,000 students across Maryland are returning to school as the 2025-26 academic year begins. Frederick and St. Mary’s counties opened their schools today, starting a staggered schedule that will see all 24 of the state’s public school systems welcome students by September 2.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is prioritizing regular attendance, academic achievement, and support for educators this year. Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools, thanked those involved in education for their commitment. “As we begin this new school year, I want to thank our educators, school leaders, families, and community partners for their dedication and collaboration,” said Dr. Wright. “From the first day of school to the last, our mission is to prepare Maryland students for life beyond our classrooms through strong teaching, learning, and leadership.”
Dr. Joshua L. Michael, President of the State Board of Education, emphasized the importance of public education at the start of the term: “Our goal is to continue building a world-class public education system,” he said. “The dawn of the new school year represents such great potential for our children and our young people.”
In an effort to measure student progress and identify opportunities for improvement, MSDE plans to release results from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) next week.
Reflecting on previous performance data, Dr. Wright stated: “We are proud of the gains Maryland students made last year,” she said. “This year, we will build on that momentum.”
School opening dates vary by district with some counties implementing staggered openings for certain grades.
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