The Carroll County Public School System lies near both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. The region can best be characterized as a rural area, rapidly becoming suburban. Today, over 25,500 students are enrolled in our schools ranking us as the 9th largest school system in the state of Maryland. The system is governed by the Board of Education which is made up of five elected members and a student representative. The Carroll County Public School System ranks as one of the top performing school systems in the state of Maryland. Instructional staff are continually recognized at the state and national levels for their performance with numerous awards. The educational programs developed in the Carroll County Public School System are also recognized statewide and nationally for their high standards and innovative approaches. Carroll County students consistently score above state and national averages on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and other standardized tests. Carroll County also has one of the highest college attendance rates in the state. This factor, combined with the success of the outstanding Career and Technology Program, the involvement of the business community, and the involvement of parents in the county, helps Carroll County to produce students who are well prepared for whatever path they may choose after graduation.