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COLLEGE PARK ACADEMY

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Teachers at College Park Academy prepare their students for college with early college credits and extra-curricular enrichment programs. With blended learning, some students can graduate with 60 college credits on their transcripts, including 25 credits from the University of Maryland. Thanks to the blended learning environ- ments, the college prep students can study according to their learning styles. “By allowing our students a variety of virtual options, our scholars are able to learn anytime and anywhere, as well as have the ability to advance in their coursework without having to wait for the rest of their class- mates,” said Dr. Bernadette Ortiz-Brewster, executive director of College Park Academy. “The acceleration option allows the students the opportunity to earn high school credits while in middle school, as well as college credits while in high school.” Students at College Park Academy can take elective courses thanks to the program’s technology. They check in

Learning through so much technology requires a dynamic environment. Thanks to St. John Properties’ design, College Park Academy will soon have a new facility for these high-tech students.

at the Independent Learning Center, which includes group study rooms and recording rooms. “During this time, the students log in to their virtual classes via a web portal and commu- nicate with their virtual teachers,” Ortiz- Brewster said. “They are also supported by a success coach, who monitors their progress and assists with academic and social emotional support.” For the second portion of classes, students go to classrooms to learn in-person from their teachers. Even in these classrooms, their tests, quizzes, text- books and more are all online. After school dismisses for the day, students can request a virtual tutor to explain concepts. Learning through so much technology requires a dynamic environment. Thanks to St. John Properties’ design, College Park Academy will soon have a new facility for these high-tech students. “The flexible and modern design of the building will support and contribute to the effectiveness of the innovative curriculum delivery,” said Dr. Wiseman, the dean of the College of

Education at the University of Maryland and a College Park Academy Board Member. As part of the college prep program, the school collaborates with the University of Maryland. “We have established an exten- sive internship program with over 40 university students and professors,” explained Ortiz-Brewster. “UMD students are paired with CPA students that need academic support, but they also have unique opportunities for mentoring our scholars as well.” This partnership requires that College Park Academy have a large space for students within a close distance of the University of Maryland. This is where St. John helps the school with its new facility. “The school’s new location will allow our UMD and CPA partnership to continue to grow,” Ortiz-Brewster said. “The close proximity to the university will allow the university interns and professors to work with the school community.” The school’s students will greatly benefit from the closer connections they can develop with their academic mentors.

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