As of the 2016–17 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,233 students and ~75 classroom teachers (on a full-time equivalent or "FTE" basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 15.9.[1]
Courses
Course offerings provide a comprehensive program of general studies where all students are required to participate in specified subjects. At Ridgely, programs are offered to meet the needs of all students on a continuum ranging from Gifted and Talented Education to programs for students with specific learning disabilities. Starting in the 2020–21 school year, courses in Chinese, French, Latin and Spanish will be available to all grade levels.
During the 2006–07 school year, Ridgely Middle School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education,[4][5] the highest award an American school can receive.[6] Librarian Christine Beard won one of Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards for Excellence in Education in May 2007.[7] The Ridgely Chess team has also won the BCPS Chess Championships 2019.[8]
Feeder schools
Elementary schools that feed into Ridgely are:
Carroll Manor Elementary
Cromwell Valley Magnet School
Hampton Elementary
Lutherville Lab Elementary
Pine Grove Elementary
Pinewood Elementary
Pot Spring Elementary
Riderwood Elementary
Timonium Elementary
Mays Chapel Elementary
Ridgely students elevate into the following high schools:
A $14 million renovation project was substantially completed in 2008, including new energy-efficient windows, ceilings, lighting, remodeled bathrooms, and doors.[9] In the 2008–09 school year, rooms and doors were repainted. The 19-year-old roof was also replaced, and four of five temporary classroom trailers were removed, due to increased space in the building.
Since the renovation work was completed, parents have complained that air conditioning should have been included in the project scope.[9] Responding to a large demonstration by parents at the county seat in Towson on September 15, 2009, elected officials called for an investigation into complaints about ventilation and temperature conditions at the school, which parents attribute to the installation of the energy-efficient window system.[10] Parents say the partially sealed windows provide insufficient outside air ventilation in the non-air conditioned school.[10]
Temperatures of over 105 degrees have been recorded inside the school. While administrative offices are air-conditioned, classrooms are not. As a result of the heat, students have experienced nausea, aggravated asthma, and even vomiting. In 2007, one student was taken by ambulance from Ridgely to Greater Baltimore Medical Center after he became dehydrated in class.[11]
^Lanman, Barry Allen; Wendling, Laura Marie (2006). "21: The Grade Eight Gifted and Talented Oral History Program". Preparing the next generation of oral historians: an anthology of oral history education. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN0-7591-0853-6.
^CIBA cited as one of the best by Education DepartmentArchived August 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
