POMFRET, Md. — Confusion and frustration erupted at McDonough High School last week after several graduating seniors reportedly had their top 10 academic rankings abruptly changed just days before commencement, without prior notification to students or their families.
A publicly shared Facebook post alleges that five students had their rankings altered — and one removed from the top 10 entirely — between graduation practice on May 20 and the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 22. According to the post, students had practiced marching and seating assignments in their initially communicated top 10 order and had been issued suite tickets labeled accordingly.
In Charles County, the top 10 seniors at each high school are honored with suite box seating for themselves and their families during graduation at the Blue Crabs stadium.
It wasn’t until names were announced during the awards ceremony that students and their families learned the rankings had shifted. The changes reportedly stemmed from final grade calculations, although parents questioned why adjustments were made after rehearsals had already taken place and official suite tickets had been distributed.
On Friday, May 23, a parent of one of the affected students contacted a Charles County Board of Education administrator to seek clarification. According to the parent’s account, a McDonough guidance counselor later responded by questioning the student’s academic standing, allegedly saying, “Did you really think you were top 10?” and instructing the student to tear up the tickets they had received earlier in the week.
Parents say no formal notice of the rank changes was provided before the public announcement, causing embarrassment for the students involved and confusion among attendees. At least one family has called for an investigation into how the class rankings shifted after final grades were reportedly submitted on May 15.
The situation has drawn attention from members of the Charles County Board of Education. Board Chairperson Yonelle Moore Lee responded to the anonymous post, offering her contact information to the original poster and noting that the Board of Education is “not involved in the day-to-day operations of CCPS, and we are not typically aware of what happens unless someone contacts us directly.” Board member Nicole Kreamer also commented on the post, expressing concern.
CCPS Responds
In a statement provided to The BayNet, a Charles County Public Schools spokesperson said:
“Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) administrators were notified on Friday of concerns noted in an anonymous Facebook post related to the top 10 seniors at Maurice J. McDonough High School. McDonough administrators have been in communication with the impacted students and their families to address the concerns and apologize for any miscommunication. Administrators have also addressed it with school staff.”
Graduation Rescheduled Due to Weather
CCPS announced on May 27 that Maurice J. McDonough High School’s graduation ceremony — originally scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28 — has been rescheduled due to forecasted rain. The new ceremony time is 9 a.m. on Friday, May 30, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. McDonough High School will be closed that day.
Regency Furniture Stadium is at 11765 St. Linus Drive in Waldorf. For the most up-to-date information about CCPS graduation ceremonies, visit www.ccboe.com.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
Should the general public be surprised?