Class of 2016 on Clear Path to Success

June 6th, 2016

HCPSS Grads Offered $22.4 Million in Scholarships, Up $6 Million Over Last Year

Over the last two weeks, 4,114 Howard County public school students took their final steps as high school students across the Merriweather Post Pavilion stage, accepting a diploma and walking into the next phase of their life journey.

The Howard County Public School System Class of 2016 is an impressive group, with average SAT and ACT scores of 1651 and 23, respectively, notably exceeding state and national averages. The class includes 51 National Merit Scholarship finalists and 50 semi-finalists, as well as 203 National Merit Commended Students. The number of honors exceeds the already-impressive level earned by the previous class, when 49 finalist, 40 semi-finalist, and 80 commended scholar awards were conferred.

“These graduates are fine representatives of our schools and community, and they are well prepared to succeed in whatever career field or path they desire. Their achievements thus far foretell even greater accomplishments in the years to come,” said Superintendent Renee A. Foose. “I am hopeful that many of our outstanding students will pay if forward, becoming the future teachers, principals, and community and business leaders who make Howard County such a wonderful place to live and work.”

For most, the next big step is college: 71.8 percent plan to enroll in a four-year college in the fall. An additional 26.9 percent are heading to a two-year college; of these, most will transfer to a four-year institution. Other graduates are moving more directly into a chosen career, with 9.4 percent planning to work full time, 3.6 percent entering the military, and 1.3 percent headed to technical school. Some students plan to pursue simultaneous options.

As a group, they have been offered more than $22.4 million in scholarships, an increase of nearly $6 million over the amount offered last year.

The new graduates plan to enroll at 383 different colleges. The most frequent college choices are here in Maryland, with Howard Community College, the University of Maryland, College Park, UMBC, and Towson University topping the list. Others will attend colleges throughout the nation and as far away as Hawaii and Scotland, with every Ivy League school also represented.

Many already have a head start on a college degree, earning Advanced Placement (AP) credits while still in high school. Eighty-two percent earned AP exam scores at levels 3–5 during their junior year, a level of achievement that earns college credit at many institutions. Many more will earn credit this summer for exams taken during the senior year.

Howard County has a major stake in the continued success of these graduates. More than $158,000 has been invested in each graduate’s public education since they entered kindergarten in 2003. While the investment may seem high, the ultimate returns to the community are much greater. Howard County Public School System accounts for more than $1.85 billion in local business sales, an amount that represents 8 percent of total annual county output.