Towson High Schools Rank in Newsweek Top 500

Towson High Schools were ranked in Newsweek’s Top 500 list on June 19, 2011, and Towson residents should be proud.

Seven Baltimore County Schools made the list (18 total for the State of Maryland). According to the Newsweek article:

…each school’s score is comprised of six components: graduation rate (25%), college matriculation rate (25%), AP tests taken per graduate (25%), average SAT/ACT scores (10%), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10%), and AP courses offered (5%).

Carver Center led the Towson pack at #232. Towson High School ranked #413, and Loch Raven High ranked #443.

Other Baltimore County High Schools that made the list were Essex Technical (#131!), Hereford High School in Sparks was #219, Pikesville High #388, and Dulaney High School in Timonium #446.

It goes to show why many feel living in Towson is great!

98 Maryland High Schools Rank in Newsweek Survey

98 Maryland High Schools ranked in a Newsweek survey out of 27,000 high schools across the country.

Only 6% of all high schools (about 1,600) make the list.

Baltimore County Public Schools had 12 schools on there!

The Baltimore Sun reported on the list, stating the Baltimore County Schools that made it and their ranking:

Dulaney, 253; Towson, 334; Carver Center for Arts, 470; Eastern Tech, 564; Pikesville, 590; Hereford, 632; Catonsville, 951; Western, 1,179; Owings Mills, 1,240; Loch Raven, 1,302; Franklin, 1,457; Perry Hall, 1,525.

Towson High School was ranked at # 334, and Dulaney High at 253. Many Towson homes are in the Towson High School district, and many Cockeysville and Hunt Valley homes are in the Dulaney High school district.

To be certain of a particular Baltimore County home’s school district, www.bcps.org has a link to discover what schools a particular home is set to attend. One thing to be aware of, though, is that homes can be redistricted at any time.

If you are considering buying homes based on Baltimore County school districts, these scores are a great beginning to discover what may be a good fit for you.

Contact me today for Baltimore County real estate.

West Towson House Values Not Hurt by New Elementary School

On June 3, 2009, Judge Michael J. Finifter declared that the West Towson Elementary School can continue construction, ruling against a few Towson homeowners who had filed suit against the Board of Education in April.

The homeowners live adjacent to the Ridge Ruxton School on Charles Street, the site where the new school is to be built. Their claim that the construction would inconvenience them, and their Towson house values would be diminished were found to be unconvincing to the judge.

The Baltimore Sun’s Arin Gencer reported on Judge Finifter’s findings, and has been following the case since its hearing on May 21, keeping the West Towson Community updated on the school.

The Towson West Elementary School will house approximately 451 students coming from the overcrowded Riderwood Elementary School and Rodgers Forge Elementary Schools. It is scheduled to open in August 2010.