December 5th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

Seven public schools in Allegany County earned top marks in Maryland's new school ratings, released to the public Tuesday. The 2018-19 Maryland Report Cards, which underwent significant changes as a result of the state's accountability plan under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, shows that seven of the system’s 14 elementary schools in the county earned a 5-star rating.  With 76% combined ranking, Allegany County’s elementary schools scored the highest average in the state.  Every school in the system scored at 3 starts or higher, with all the three high schools and the Career Center grading at four stars.  Washington County Public Schools was one of 14 local systems that had no schools rated lower than 3 stars.  Among the local highlights: all fourteen elementary schools received a 4 or 5 star rating; all middle and high schools received a 3 star rating or higher; and six elementary schools ranked in the top 10% of all schools in the State.  State Superintendent Karen Salmon talked about the new rating system…