Towson’s four overcrowded elementary schools — which last year were well known to be 451 students over capacity — are now 554 over the state-rated limit, according to BCPS enrollment numbers released recently.

The revised numbers, which are accurate as of September 30, are posted on our website here.

At Rodgers Forge Elementary, the most overcrowded elementary school in Maryland, the actual number of students is 714 — even more than the official September 30th figure. That number is also greater than the school system predicted last April, when the latest enrollment projections were published. Rodgers Forge has a capacity of 396.

Plans for Towson’s new elementary school continue to be on schedule, according to school system officials. However, that school will only provide about half the needed seats in the next five years. To meet the additional need, school system officials are considering additions to Stoneleigh and Hampton elementary schools. BCPS and Maryland State Department of Education personnel visited both sites last week. However, no funding has been requested for either project.

Another option to help meet these needs is to move the Cromwell Valley Elementary technology magnet program, currently drawing students from around the county, and re-open the building as a community-based elementary school. Re-opening Cromwell Valley would be significantly less expensive than building an addition, but school officials do not appear to be seriously considering this option.