The Lighthouse

Volume 2 / Issue 4

June 2025 Year-In-Review Edition

A Year of Excellence, Innovation, and Unstoppable Progress

Dear Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation Family,

As we close the 2024–25 academic year, I am filled with immense pride in the collective accomplishments of the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation community. This year, across all our campuses, we witnessed a powerful convergence of academic excellence, strategic growth, and community resilience.

Let’s start with a monumental first: CSP Elementary was named a 5-Star School in its inaugural year, a rare distinction that speaks volumes about the extraordinary leadership, instructional quality, and family engagement that define our schools. Not to be outdone, CSP Middle-High sustained its 5-Star status, remaining a top-performing school in the region.

Meanwhile, all CMIT schools continued to shine, each earning 4-Star ratings and ranking among the highest-performing schools in the county. This consistent success across multiple campuses demonstrates our model's strength, talented educators, and relentless focus on student achievement.

US News, School Digger, and GreatSchools ranked all our schools among the top 5 in their respective counties. These rankings reaffirm what our families already know: CLF schools offer one of Maryland's best public education experiences.

Our high schools celebrated 100% graduation rates once again, with many students participating in dual enrollment programs and a growing number graduating with their Associate Degrees. This is a testament to our rigorous college-readiness programs and strong partnerships with local colleges.

In STEM and innovation, our students achieved national recognition in bridge-building competitions and placed among the top teams in robotics. They earned honors across a range of STEM challenges. These results reflect our unwavering commitment to hands-on, future-ready learning.

Athletics also had a banner year, particularly in Prince George’s County, where our student-athletes brought home championships and made us proud with their competitive spirit and sportsmanship. The first-ever game at CMIT South’s new outdoor field was a symbol of how far we’ve come in investing in the whole student experience, from academics to athletics.

This was also a year of strategic expansion. We signed the lease for a new facility to support CSP’s middle-high expansion, which will grow to 930 students by 2028. Our overall enrollment across seven schools now stands at over 4,200 students, with waitlists demonstrating the growing demand for our unique model.

Despite our many successes, we faced challenges, especially in Prince George’s County's funding disparities. Yet, thanks to the tireless advocacy of our parents and stakeholders, we made progress. And while we continue to seek equitable funding, we remain resilient and committed to delivering the highest-quality education regardless of obstacles.

None of this would be possible without our dedicated teachers and staff, visionary school leaders, and engaged families. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do.

As we look ahead, our focus remains on delivering equity through excellence, building innovative programs, and ensuring that every student we serve has the opportunity to thrive academically and as a confident, compassionate, and capable leader of tomorrow.

Thank you for making this year unforgettable. Together, we are not only preparing our students for the future; we are building it.

With gratitude,

Yilmaz Zayn Ak, Ed.S.

Chief Executive Officer

Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation

Governance For Educational Impact

As we wrap up the 2024–2025 academic year, the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) Board reflects on a year shaped by preparation, progress, and change.

This year, we were proud to receive a seven-year charter renewal for Chesapeake Science Point (CSP)—a strong affirmation of the school’s performance and continued alignment with our mission to inspire students to become STEM innovators and responsible global citizens. We also anticipate a favorable vote from the Prince George's County Board of Education on the renewal of CMIT North, and are confident in the strength of the program and leadership there.

Planning took center stage this year as we looked ahead to the expected budget cuts tied to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Although the impact won’t hit until the 2025–2026 school year, the CLF Board has been actively engaged with our central office and school leaders to prepare accordingly. We’ve had to ask tough questions, prioritize strategically, and look for solutions that preserve what matters most: strong academic outcomes, a safe and inclusive learning environment, and programs that truly prepare our students for college, careers, and an ever-changing world.

We were also excited to welcome three new board members this year, each bringing unique strengths and perspectives to our leadership teams.

On the CLF Board, Jacqueline Foster brings a background in IT project management, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. She is the founder and CEO of Jackie’s Gardening Gems, a wellness-focused small business, and has been active in school communities for years.

Also new to our CLF Board is İbrahim İnci, a former CLF teacher and robotics coach who now serves as a CTE educator in Howard County. With a background in chemistry, cybersecurity, and educational leadership—not to mention deep roots in our STEM programs—Mr. İnci brings both technical expertise and a strong understanding of our student population.

On the CSP Board, we welcomed Allina Lee, a seasoned federal policy advisor with the U.S. Department of Justice and a CSP parent. She brings deep knowledge in statistical policy, data governance, and strategic oversight. Mrs. Lee is actively involved in the CSP community and served as the 2024–2025 CSP Elementary PTO President, further strengthening the bridge between families and school leadership.

Their combined expertise and community ties are already strengthening our governance and helping us stay grounded in our mission.

As we look ahead to the new school year, the CLF Board remains committed to supporting innovation, equity, and academic excellence across all our schools. We’re grateful to our families, staff, and community partners for your continued trust and collaboration, and we’re ready to keep building what’s next.

Leading the Way For Excellence in Education

Learn More About Us!

Priorities, Performance, Progress

Key Financial and Administrative Milestones (FY25)

July: Executed all major purchases and contracts for every school in a timely manner.
August: Provided $16.5 million in funding for the CSP Middle & High facility acquisition, stabilizing rent expenses at a reasonable level.
September: Finalized an 18-year CSP Middle School facility lease agreement.
November: Successfully submitted audited financial statements on time for all schools.
January: Distributed W-2 and 1099 forms promptly across all schools, ensuring compliance and timely reporting.
March: Filed IRS Form 990 and Annual Reports on time for all related entities.
April: Collaborated strategically to mitigate the impact of Blueprint funding cuts on CMIT schools.
May: Submitted preliminary budgets to the Board and completed staff budgeting on time for all schools.

Engineered for Excellence

Innovating For The Future

CLF Information Technology Department

Upgraded the internet connection speed for CSP Elementary School.
Developed an AI assistant for the CLF website.
Enhanced the wireless infrastructure at CMIT Schools by upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7.
Made the CLF and school websites compatible with mobile devices.
Upgraded the sound and projection system in the CMIT South Middle-High School auditorium.
Improved the user interface of the CLF Parent Portal website.

Connected and Communicative

’Twas the 2025 school year, and through the offices and schools,

The communications team was working; no slumber, no snooze.

From calendars published with themes rich and bright,

To STEM days and cultures that lifted our sight.

New principals announced with leadership grace:

Mr. Owens at CSP; ready to race.

Ms. Green took the helm at CMIT South MS,

And Ms. Lewis brought South Elementary her best.

Our strategic plan launched - 2029 in view,

With boldness and vision, and voices so true.

The websites got facelifts, sleek, sharp, and refined,

User-friendly, engaging, and purpose-aligned.

Each day we posted, social media messages with care,

To inform and inspire those scrolling out there.

From US News Reports shining, to STAR Ratings gold,

Our AP distinctions and triumphs retold.

In February, we honored Black history’s might,

And in March, women trailblazers rose to the light.

For Mental Health Month, we lifted the veil,

Supporting our staff and bidding them hail.

We stood in the boardroom with passion and pride,

Calling for fairness, we would not be denied!

Charter funding must flow to where the impact is clear,

So we voiced it out loud for the whole room to hear.

The STAR Awards honored our faculty’s flame,

And TEACH Grants lit up five futures by name.

Recipients will study, then return to teach,

Proof that our mission extends to what we preach.

Our cameras clicked stories that can't be erased,

From concerts to contests to dreams being chased.

We captured the joy at each cap-tossing day,

Photographing scholars in gowns on their way.

From calendars crafted to websites aglow,

From storytelling moments to advocacy’s show,

We’ve worked every deadline, daring to dream,

CLF’s heart beats strong through this small but mighty Communications Team.

So here’s to a year of impact and grace,

Of amplifying voices and giving our stories a place.

As we end this school year, one truth remains clear:

We don’t just communicate; we connect and we care.

Chesapeake Math and IT High - North

CMIT North HS Ends the Year with Innovation, Celebration, and New Beginnings

As we close the 2024–2025 school year, we sincerely thank the students, families, and staff who made these moments possible. Our community continues to grow through challenges and successes in excellence, purpose, and opportunity. See the report for more.

Chesapeake Math and IT Middle - North

A Year of Innovation, Leadership, and Excellence

The 2024–2025 academic year at CMIT North Middle School has been another extraordinary chapter in our ongoing pursuit of academic excellence, STEM innovation, and student leadership. From groundbreaking student initiatives to record-setting competitions, this year has been marked by purposeful learning, dynamic engagement, and remarkable achievements both in and out of the classroom. See the report for more.

Chesapeake Math and IT Elementary - North

CMIT-NES Year-At-A-Glance Highlights

The CMIT-NES theme for the year was Data Mining in Excellence to Enhance Mathematicians. Excellence is what we sowed, and excellence is what we received. See the report for more.

Chesapeake Math and IT High - South

The 2024-2025 school year was filled with innovation, exploration, and achievement for CMIT South’s High School STEM programs. Biology students engaged in hands-on learning through frog dissections, deepening their understanding of anatomy and life sciences - STEM Lab: here. The National Technical Honor Society made a strong comeback, inducting 20 outstanding members dedicated to academic excellence and leadership. In the fall, 25 students proudly represented our school at the CURE Course-based Undergraduate Research Symposium at Bowie State University, engaging in research discourse alongside college students and staff. One sophomore student, Adebimpe Omotosho, earned a prestigious opportunity to participate in the Johns Hopkins University Sustainable Energy Engineering Program this summer. Among our graduating ITEC seniors, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the class valedictorian, salutatorian, and a distinguished Posse Scholar — a testament to our students' talent, dedication, and drive. See the report for more.

Chesapeake Math and IT Middle - South

2025 Year in Review

As the 2025 school year draws to a close, CMIT South Middle School reflects with pride on a year marked by growth, innovation, and a strong sense of community. Our journey this year has embodied our commitment to building a caring, collaborative, and STEM-focused environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See the report below.

Chesapeake Math and IT Elementary - South

CMIT South ES “The STEM Journey Begins Here” for SY 24-25

We reflect on the 2024-25 academic year, which represents a period of transformation, new beginnings, growth, community engagement, and student achievements. See the report below.

Chesapeake Science Point Elementary

As we close out another remarkable year at Chesapeake Science Point Elementary School (CSPES), we do so with immense pride in all that our students, staff, and families have accomplished together. In just our second year, we have built a school community that is achieving excellence, embracing challenges, and creating opportunities for every child to thrive.

Chesapeake Science Point Middle High

As we conclude the 2024-2025 school year at Chesapeake Science Point Middle/High School, we would like to highlight our accomplishments: See the report below.

Our Alumni Matter To Us!

Share With Us The Impact You've Made.

At Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation, our alumni are our legacy. As we begin a special documentary project to celebrate where life has taken our graduates, we're reaching out to our former students from the classes of 2014-2023 to share their journeys post-graduation.

Whether you've ventured into exciting careers, pursued further education, or made significant contributions to your communities, we want to hear from you. If you're available in the area, we invite you to come in for an interview. For those farther afield, we're equally eager to include you through a video interview. Please reach out to Annessa Wilson at awilson@clfmd.org to participate.

Your story is an essential chapter in the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation narrative, and we can't wait to showcase the diverse paths our alumni have taken.