FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debbie Gardner
(410) 822-0330
dgardner@talbotschools.org
October 29, 2026
TCPS ANNOUNCES MARYLAND SCHOOL REPORT CARD STAR RATINGS
(Easton, MD) The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released the 2026 Maryland School Report Card. The report card contains data for every school in the state, including the eight schools in Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS).
Schools earn between one and five stars based on the total percentage of points earned across several indicators. While all eight TCPS schools earned star ratings of three or above again this year, one school earned a 5-star rating; four schools earned 4-star ratings and three schools earned 3-star ratings. This is a significant improvement over 2025, with three of the eight TCPS schools achieving improved star ratings.
Chapel District Elementary earned five stars this year and showed strong improvement in points earned and overall percentile ranking. Easton Elementary School also improved significantly with four out of five stars as compared with three stars last year, along with a dramatic increase in points earned and percentile ranking. The district also saw progress at Tilghman Elementary, with a new 4-star rating, increased points earned, and a much improved percentile mark. White Marsh and St. Michaels Elementary Schools maintained impressive 4-star rankings. Easton High, Easton Middle and St. Michaels Middle High School also held strong with a continued 3-star status.
“I want to congratulate the outstanding team of TCPS educators for their dedication and perseverance in achieving these results,” said Dr. Sharon Pepukayi. “The Maryland Report Card is one of many ways that we can measure student success. We have more work to do, but we will continue to make progress if we invest in the priorities and high leverage strategies outlined in our Align by 2029 Strategic Plan. This includes strong and rigorous Tier 1 instruction; data-driven decisions; and aligned systems that focus on meeting the needs of all students. I also want to emphasize that the incredible support we receive from our community is paramount to ensuring that every student is valued, celebrated, and empowered to achieve their full potential.”
The School Report Card is designed to give students, families, educators, and community members a better understanding of school performance, just as report cards help parents understand how children are performing. For elementary and middle schools, the ratings are determined based on the following indicators: Academic Achievement, Academic Progress, Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency, and School Quality and Student Success. For high schools, the indicators are Academic Achievement, Graduation Rate, Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency, Readiness for Post-Secondary Success, and School Quality and Student Success.
Parents and community members can explore the Maryland Report Card website for more information and data. The full School Report Card for each school can be found there, as well as more information and data about schools and districts.
