More than 20% of Baltimore students are leaving high school before graduating, a new report discovered.
“The Maryland State Department of Education says Baltimore City Public Schools has a 20.8% dropout rate, as compared to the state’s average of 9.87%,” wrote the local CBS affiliate. “District officials called this a ‘surge’ and the state’s data show the trend has been increasing since 2021, when the district’s dropout rate was 12.51%.”
Meanwhile, the district has recorded dwindling enrollment even while ramping up its staff numbers.
As previously reported by The Lion, non-instructional staffers grew by 28% between 2018 and 2024, compared to only 15% for instructional staffers.
During this time, student enrollment fell by 6% – leading to 1,714 more adults for 4,781 fewer students.
“It’s not supposed to be a jobs program for adults. It’s supposed to be an education initiative for kids,” said education reform advocate Corey DeAngelis. “In what other industry do you lose your customer base and you go on a hiring spree?”
