Arundel and South River Rack Up High Scholarship Hauls

Students in Anne Arundel County public high schools set a new high mark, hauling in nearly $100 million in scholarship dollars for graduating students in the Class of 2011.

The increase marks 53 percent more in scholarship offers than the Class of 2010, and according to school officials, is the largest increase in one year ever in Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

According to school spokesman Bob Mosier, South River High School had the highest amount of scholarship offers for the third straight year, with $12.9 million. Severna Park was second with $12.85 million, followed by Arundel ($10.7 million), Broadneck ($10.68 million), Annapolis ($9.2 million), and Old Mill ($9.1 million).

Broadneck and Southern ($3.2 million) each had increases of more than 90 percent from their 2010 levels.

“First and foremost, the credit for this incredible level of scholarship offers goes to our students who work hard every single day to make the most of their opportunities,” Superintendent Dr. Kevin Maxwell said. “We must also applaud their parents, school system employees, and other partners who have provided guidance and support to assist these incredible students and help them achieve their dreams. It is clear from data such as this that our students believe in themselves every bit as much as we believe in them.”

Scholarship dollars are self-reported by students, so the total dollar figures may not reflect the total amount.

The data also indicates that 81 percent of graduating seniors plan to attend a two- or four-year college, 18 percent plan to work full-time, 11 percent plan to enlist in the military, and 4 percent will attend a private career school.

Scholarship offers to county seniors have increased by nearly $64 million since 2007.