Anne Arundel County Board of Education: Shaping Education in Maryland
Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) stands as the public school district serving all of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. AACPS, with over 85,000 students and 126 schools, is the fourth largest in Maryland and the 39th largest in the United States. The system encompasses a diverse range of educational institutions, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as specialized centers and charter schools.
Historical Overview
The evolution of education in Anne Arundel County reflects a long-standing commitment to providing accessible learning opportunities for its residents.
Early Foundations: In 1696, Maryland made legal provision for free schools, with a curriculum that included "Latine, Greek, Writeing, and the like". By the same act of legislation, King William's free school (later, St. John's College) was established in Anne Arundel County. The Archbishop of Canterbury was named as Chancellor of the School, and a Board of Trustees was granted general authority over the school by the General Assembly.
Establishment of County Free School: Not until 1723 did the General Assembly authorize the raising of funds to build a schoolhouse in each county. Under this "Act for the Encouragement of Learning and Erecting Schools in the Several Counties", the Anne Arundel County Free School was established and Visitors appointed.
Trustees for the Education of Poor Children: In 1816, additional funds were authorized for public schools in five counties, including Anne Arundel. Each of the levy courts in these counties were to appoint Trustees for the Education of Poor Children. Anne Arundel County’s Board of Education originated from the Trustees for the Education of Poor Children.
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State School Fund Commissioners: The General Assembly, in 1816, appointed nine commissioners to oversee the State school fund in each county. By 1818, monies entrusted to Anne Arundel County’s Trustees for the Education of Poor Children were returned to the Levy Court to be overseen by the commissioners of the State school fund.
County School Commissioners: In 1825, a statewide public education system was formed. The justices of the levy courts in each county appointed nine school commissioners who were to divide the county into school districts. In Anne Arundel County, the School Commissioners appointed by the Levy Court were named Commissioners of Primary Schools in 1827.
West River Academy: In 1840, the West River Academy was established in Owensville, Anne Arundel County.
Board of County School Commissioners: In 1865, the State Board of Education called for a “uniform system of Free Public Schools”. In 1870, County circuit court judges were to appoint three school commissioners for their respective counties. In 1892, the Governor gained authority to appoint county school commissioners. In Annapolis, a public school building was authorized to be erected in 1894.
Public School Building Commission: The Anne Arundel County Public School Building Commission was created in 1920 to erect more public schools and make improvements to existing schools.
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Boards of Education: Boards of county school commissioners were renamed boards of education in 1916.
Governance and Structure
The Department of Education is governed by the County Board of Education. The Superintendent of Schools is executive officer, secretary, and treasurer of the Board. In addition, through the review and approval of the annual operating and capital budgets, Anne Arundel County government exercises authority over the County Public Schools. Moreover, through the establishment and monitoring of various financial and academic policies and regulations, the State Department of Education also has considerable oversight of county public schools. Indeed, under Maryland law, the State Department of Education works with county public schools to comply with requirements and mandates of federal law.
The Board of Education oversees educational matters that affect Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Beginning with the November 2018 general election at which four members were elected, the Board has transitioned from an appointed to an elected body. As of December 2020, the Board consists of eight members. Seven are elected by the Voters to four-year terms. Also serving on the Board is a student, appointed annually by the Governor.
The Superintendent of Schools administers the Anne Arundel County Department of Education, and serves as executive officer, secretary, and treasurer of the Board of Education.
Schools in the District
AACPS operates a diverse array of schools, catering to students of all ages and needs. These include:
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Elementary Schools: AACPS elementary schools serve students from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
- Aacps Virtual Academy (241 Peninsula Farm Road, Arnold, MD 21012)
- Annapolis Elementary (180 Green Street, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- Arnold Elementary (95 Joyce Lane E, Arnold, MD 21012)
- Belle Grove Elementary (4502 Belle Grove Road, Baltimore, MD 21225)
- Belvedere Elementary (360 Broadwater Rd, Arnold, MD 21012)
- Benfield Elementary (365 Lynwood Dr, Severna Park, MD 21146)
- Bodkin Elementary (8320 Ventnor Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Broadneck Elementary (470 Shore Acres Rd, Arnold, MD 21012)
- Brock Bridge Elementary (405 Brock Bridge Rd, Laurel, MD 20724)
- Brooklyn Park Elementary (200 14Th Ave, Baltimore, MD 21225)
- Cape St. Claire Elementary (931 Blue Ridge Dr, Annapolis, MD 21409)
- Carrie Weedon Early Education Center (911 Galesville Road, Galesville, MD 20765)
- Central Elementary (130 Stepney Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037)
- Crofton Elementary (1405 Duke Of Kent Dr, Crofton, MD 21114)
- Crofton Meadows Elementary (2020 Tilghman Dr, Crofton, MD 21114)
- Crofton Woods Elementary (1750 Urby Dr, Crofton, MD 21114)
- Davidsonville Elementary (962 Central Ave West, Davidsonville, MD 21035)
- Deale Elementary (759 Masons Beach Rd, Deale, MD 20751)
- Eastport Elementary (420 5Th Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403)
- Edgewater Elementary (121 Washington Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037)
- Ferndale Early Education Center (105 Packard Ave, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Folger Mckinsey Elementary (175 Arundel Beach Road, Severna Park, MD 21146)
- Fort Smallwood Elementary (1720 Poplar Ridge Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Four Seasons Elementary (979 Waugh Chapel Rd, Gambrills, MD 21054)
- Freetown Elementary (7904 Freetown Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- George T. Cromwell Elementary (221 Olen Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Georgetown East Elementary (111 Dogwood Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403)
- Germantown Elementary (200 Windell Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- Glen Burnie Park Elementary (500 Marlboro Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Glendale Elementary (105 Carroll Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- Hebron - Harman Elementary (7660 Ridge Chapel Road, Hanover, MD 21076)
- High Point Elementary (7789 Edgewood Avenue, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Hillsmere Elementary (3052 Arundel On The Bay Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403)
- Hilltop Elementary (415 Melrose Ave, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Jacobsville Elementary (3801 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Jessup Elementary (2798 Champion Forest Avenue, Jessup, MD 20794)
- Jones Elementary (122 Hoyle Ln, Severna Park, MD 21146)
- Lake Shore Elementary (4531 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Linthicum Elementary (101 School Ln, Linthicum, MD 21090)
- Lothian Elementary (5175 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711)
- Manor View Elementary (2900 Macarthur Rd, Ft Meade, MD 20755)
- Marley Elementary (715 Cooper Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- Marley Glen School (200 Scott Ave, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- Mary Moss at Adams Academy (245 Clay Street, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- Maryland City Elementary (3359 Crumpton South, Laurel, MD 20724)
- Mayo Elementary (1260 Mayo Ridge Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037)
- Meade Heights Elementary (1925 Reece Road, Ft. Meade, MD 20755)
- Millersville Elementary (1601 Millersville Rd, Millersville, MD 21108)
- Monarch Academy Annapolis Elementary School (2000 Capital Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- Monarch Global Academy PCS Laurel Campus (430 Brock Bridge Road, Laurel, MD 20724)
- Nantucket Elementary (2350 Nantucket Dr, Crofton, MD 21114)
- North Glen Elementary (615 West Furnace Branch Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Oak Hill Elementary (34 Truckhouse Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146)
- Oakwood Elementary (330 Oak Manor Dr, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Odenton Elementary (1290 Odenton Rd, Odenton, MD 21113)
- Overlook Elementary (401 Hampton Rd, Linthicum, MD 21090)
- Park Elementary (201 East 11Th Ave, Baltimore, MD 21225)
- Pasadena Elementary (401 East Pasadena Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Pershing Hill Elementary (7600 29Th Division Road, Ft Meade, MD 20755)
- Piney Orchard Elementary (2641 Strawberry Lake Way, Odenton, MD 21113)
- Point Pleasant Elementary (1035 Dumbarton Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- Quarterfield Elementary (7967 Quarterfield Rd, Severn, MD 21144)
- Richard Henry Lee Elementary (400 A Street, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Ridgeway Elementary (1440 Evergreen Rd, Severn, MD 21144)
- Rippling Woods Elementary (530 Nolfield Dr, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Riviera Beach Elementary (8515 Jenkins Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Rolling Knolls Elementary (1985 Valley Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- Seven Oaks Elementary (1905 Town Center Blvd., Odenton, MD 21113)
- Severn Elementary (838 Reece Rd, Severn, MD 21144)
- Severna Park Elementary (6 Riggs Ave, Severna Park, MD 21146)
- Shady Side Elementary (4859 Atwell Rd, Shady Side, MD 20764)
- Shipley's Choice Elementary (310 Governor Stone Pky, Millersville, MD 21108)
- Solley Elementary (7608 Solley Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- South Shore Elementary (1376 Fairfield Loop Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032)
- Southgate Elementary (290 Shetlands Ln, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Sunset Elementary (8572 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Traceys Elementary (20 Deale Rd, Traceys Landing, MD 20779)
- Tyler Heights Elementary (200 Janwall St, Annapolis, MD 21403)
- Van Bokkelen Elementary (1140 Reece Rd, Severn, MD 21144)
- Walter S. Mills - Parole Elementary (1 George And Marion Phelps Lane, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- Waugh Chapel Elementary (840 Sunflower Dr, Odenton, MD 21113)
- West Annapolis Elementary (505 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401)
- West Meade Early Education Center (7722 Ray Street, Ft Meade, MD 20755)
- Wiley H. Bates Middle School
Middle Schools:
- Annapolis Middle (1399 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21403)
- Arundel Middle (1179 Hammond Ln, Odenton, MD 21113)
- Brooklyn Park Middle (200 Hammonds Ln, Baltimore, MD 21225)
- Central Middle (221 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD 21037)
- Chesapeake Bay Middle (4804 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Corkran Middle School (7600 Quarterfield Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061)
- Crofton Middle (2301 Davidsonville Rd, Gambrills, MD 21054)
- Lindale Middle (415 Andover Rd, Linthicum, MD 21090)
- Macarthur Middle (3500 Rockenbach Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755)
- Magothy River Middle (241 Peninsula Farm Rd, Arnold, MD 21012)
- Marley Middle (10 Davis Ct, Glen Burnie, MD 21060)
- Meade Middle (1103 26Th St, Fort Meade, MD 20755)
- Northeast Middle (7922 Outing Ave, Pasadena, MD 21122)
- Old Mill Middle North (610 Patriot Ln, Millersville, MD 21108)
- Old Mill Middle South (620 Patriot Ln, Millersville, MD 21108)
- Severn River Middle (241 Peninsula Farm Rd, Arnold, MD 21012)
- Severna Park Middle (450 Jumpers Hole Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146)
- Southern Middle (5235 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711)
Other Schools:
- Central Special School (140 Stepney Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037)
- Ruth Parker Eason School (648 Old Mill Rd, Millersville, MD 21108)
Charter & Contract Schools
- Chesapeake Science Point (7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076): Chesapeake Science Point (CSP) is a magnet school for math and science. The school was founded in 2003 by the volunteer non-profit Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF), after the Charter School Law (Bill 75) was put into effect in July 2003, authorizing the establishment of charter schools in the state of Maryland.
- Monarch Academy (6730 Baymeadow Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21060): Monarch Academy Glen Burnie (MAGB) is another charter school in Anne Arundel County. Monarch Academy serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.
- Monarch Global Academy (430 Brock Bridge Road, Laurel, MD 20724): Monarch Global Academy (MGA) is a contract school in Anne Arundel County. Monarch Global Academy serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grades. It employs the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program in K-6 and a project based learning model in grades 6-8.
Key Issues and Controversies
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, like many large school districts, has faced its share of controversies and challenges.
Student Discipline: Anne Arundel County Public Schools made headlines in March 2013 when school officials suspended 7-year-old Josh Welch for chewing a Pop-Tart pastry into a shape they thought resembled a gun and pretending to shoot his classmates. The Welch family appealed the decision to the county school board, which upheld the suspension after a 2014 hearing. The Maryland State Board of Education also ruled to uphold the suspension.
Sex Education: Sex education in AACPS had made headlines significant controversy, particularly regarding the inclusion of lessons on LGBTQ+ issues, gender identity, and sexual orientation. In response for LGBTQ+ rights, AACPS has made efforts to include more inclusive content in its sex education curriculum. However, this shift has faced resistance from some parents and community groups who argue that discussions on topics such as gender identity and same-sex relationships are inappropriate for children, particularly at the elementary and middle school levels.
Other Educational Institutions
Anne Arundel Community College: Anne Arundel Community College was founded in January 1961, when the Board of Education established Anne Arundel Junior College.
Anne Arundel County Public Library: In Anne Arundel County, the Annapolitan Library originated as a free public library in 1696 by John Bray. First located in a second-floor room of the Municipal Building in Annapolis, the Anne Arundel County Public Library today oversees sixteen libraries throughout the County.
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