Crofton High School and BRAC Impact?

#1: When will Crofton get a High School?

The #1 question I’ve gotten covering news around town is “When will we get a Crofton High School?”

Crofton Patch took your question to Anne Arundel County Spokesman Bob Mosier.

The Crofton-Gambrills area splits high school students between Arundel and South River High Schools.

“When you want to add a school to garner state-funding you have to state that you’ve exhausted all your other remedies to alleviate overcrowding,” Mosier said.

This means both Arundel and South River High Schools would need to be overcapacity in order for the county to call for an additional high school to be built in Crofton.

“Crofton has been trying to get a high school since Crofton was built. All the kids here go to South River because the county will not build a high school here,” said Rose Church on the Crofton Patch Facebook page.

“Yes Crofton needs a high school! They have a middle school so they need to build a high school for the middle school to feed into,” added Tamara Remson on the social network website.

“Yes, yes, yes we need one. No, no, no, we will NEVER get one...sadly,” said Julie Gabel on the website. “What's even more sad is putting your child on the bus for a 30 to 40 minute bus ride to sit in windowless, severely overcrowded rooms. Ridiculous!” Gabel added.

Mosier said the following represents the 2010 enrollment figures for Crofton area high schools.

High School

Full Capacity

(State rate of capacity)

2010 Enrollment

Over/Under Enrollment

Percentage Capacity

Arundel

2,025

1,887

138 under

93%

Meade

2,208

2,285

77 over

103%

South River

2,133

2,104

29 under

99%

Both Arundel and South River High Schools are operating under the Maryland rate of capacity for the schools. Nearby Meade High School is slightly over its student capacity rate. 

Which leads to the #2 question I’m asked covering news around town.

How will the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) changes impact Crofton high school students?

Mosier said the county has been working to prepare for population growth. The addition of Nantucket Elementary School is one example of the school system gearing up for west county expansion.

Mosier said the following shows projected growth among Arundel and South River High Schools by 2020.

High School

Full Capacity

(State rate of capacity)

Projected 2020 Enrollment

Projected Over/Under Enrollment

Arundel

2,025

1,926

99 under

Meade

2,208

2,333

125 over

South River

2,133

2,231

98 over

Arundel is not projected to exceed student capacity by 2020. South River and Meade are expected to see an influx. Mosier said this the projected influx does not mean any of these areas will have a need for a new high school to be built.

Learn More About BRAC’s Impact

The Anne Arundel County BRAC Task Force will meet today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00p.m. at Anne Arundel Community College, Cade Building, Room 219. Topics scheduled to be discussed include:

• State Highway Administration - MD 175, MD 198 and MD 32
• Education and Workforce Development