PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Public Schools students demonstrated strong academic performance on the 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments, outperforming statewide proficiency rates across most grades and subjects, according to results released today by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Across all tested grades, 66.6% of CCPS students scored proficient in English Language Arts, nearly 15 percentage points above the statewide rate of 51.7%. In Mathematics, 37.9% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 27.1% statewide.
Students scoring at performance Levels 3 or 4 are considered proficient. MCAP proficiency reflects more than foundational reading or calculation skills. The assessments require students to apply knowledge, analyze information and explain their thinking. In English Language Arts, students may compare themes and ideas across multiple texts, evaluate evidence and support conclusions in writing. In Mathematics, students apply concepts to complex problems, use logical reasoning and justify how they arrived at an answer.
“These results reflect the hard work of our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, families and community partners,” said Dr. Marcus J. Newsome, superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools. “While we are proud of our accomplishments, we remain committed to continuous improvement. Our focus is not only on celebrating success but also on using data to identify opportunities to strengthen instruction and accelerate learning for every student.”
Strong English Language Arts Performance
CCPS students exceeded the statewide proficiency rate in every assessed English Language Arts grade.
Highlights include:
- 66.7% of CCPS Grade 3 students scored proficient, compared with 50.4% statewide.
- 67.4% of CCPS Grade 7 students scored proficient, compared with 54.6% statewide.
- 80.1% of CCPS Grade 10 students scored proficient, compared with 59.7% statewide.
- Across Grades 3-8, 64.3% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 50.2% statewide.
Overall, CCPS students exceeded the statewide ELA proficiency rate by 14.9 percentage points.
Mathematics Results Exceed State Averages
CCPS students also outperformed statewide proficiency rates in elementary and middle school Mathematics, Algebra I and Algebra II.
Highlights include:
- 60.0% of CCPS Grade 3 students scored proficient, compared with 42.6% statewide.
- Across Grades 3–5, 50.7% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 35.8% statewide.
- Across Grades 3–8, 40.1% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 27.8% statewide.
- In Algebra I, 25.8% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 21.3% statewide.
Geometry results should be interpreted within the context of statewide changes to the secondary mathematics course sequence. MSDE reported that geometry assessment participation decreased by approximately 40% statewide, substantially changing the group of students who took the assessment and limiting direct comparisons with previous years.
Science Performance Remains Strong
CCPS students exceeded statewide proficiency rates in both assessed Science grades:
- In Grade 5, 44.4% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 32.4% statewide.
- In Grade 8, 40.8% of CCPS students scored proficient, compared with 30.9% statewide.
MSDE also identified Grade 5 science as an area of statewide growth, with Maryland’s proficiency rate increasing by six percentage points from the previous year.
Building on Success
The 2026 results reinforce CCPS’s continued strong academic performance while providing important information to guide future instructional planning.
School and district teams will review results by grade, subject, school and student group alongside classroom assessments and other measures of student learning. This work will help educators build on successful instructional practices, provide targeted support where needed and continue advancing achievement for all students.
CCPS remains committed to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality instruction, meaningful learning opportunities and the support needed to succeed.
MCAP results represent one measure of student performance and are considered alongside other academic, instructional and student-support information.
Additional state assessment results are expected to be released by MSDE in August and September.
Detailed statewide results are available at https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov.
About CCPS
Calvert County Public Schools serves approximately 15,000 students across 12 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, the Career & Technology Academy and Calvert Country School. CCPS is recognized for its commitment to academic achievement, military-connected students and families, environmental sustainability, visual and performing arts education, athletics and high-quality learning environments, including 100% Maryland Green Schools, 87% Purple Star Schools, four years of Best Communities for Music Education awards and a newly constructed LEED-certified school building.