Maryland Awards Grants to Develop, Expand Charter Schools
Over $5 Million Awarded to Six Programs in Four Systems
ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 27, 2018) – The Hogan administration today awarded six grants totaling more than $5 million to support the growth of public charter schools across the state. Three-year grants of up to $900,000 each went to programs in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, and St. Mary’s County. Governor Larry Hogan made the announcement at Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Harmony Academy in Baltimore, where he was joined by members of the Maryland State Board of Education, students, parents, teachers, and business and community leaders.
“Every child in Maryland deserves access to a world-class education regardless of what neighborhood they happen to grow up in and we owe it to our kids to think more creatively and to expand the choices available to them,” said Governor Hogan. “For the first time, here today, we are awarding six new grants totaling more than $5 million dollars through the Maryland State Department of Education to spur the growth of charter schools around our state and support more than 3,000 Maryland students.”
The grants are the first to be awarded under the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) federal Expanding Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools program. MSDE in 2017 received a five-year, $17.2 million federal grant to expand the state’s public charter schools.
“The federal grant provides exciting new opportunities for school innovation throughout our State,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “These new schools provide valuable options for our students.”
The new grantees are:
• Chesapeake Charter School, St. Mary’s County: To add 170 new students to its current K-8 program focusing on project based learning and arts integration.
• Baltimore International Academy, Baltimore City: To replicate its existing K-8 program emphasizing language immersion in another Baltimore neighborhood.
• Watershed School, Baltimore County: To launch a new elementary school in 2019-2020 with an environmental focus and extensive community outreach.
• DaVinci Collaborative School, Baltimore City: To start a new high school targeting internships and an intensive advisory model.
• Legends Charter School, Prince George’s County: To open a new K-4 school, with an intention of expanding to K-8, focusing on financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
• Chesapeake Math and IT Academy, Prince George’s County: To replicate its STEM-based school model, already successful at three locations in the county.
There will be a new opportunity to apply for grant funds in the next year. For more information, go to http://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Charter-Schools/CSPGrant.aspx