
The Lighthouse
Volume 2 / Issue 4

Starting 2025 with STEM!
Chesapeake Science Point High School is Golden!
Chesapeake Science Point Middle/High School (CSP) was honored by Anne Arundel County Public Schools as one of only two schools in the county to earn the 2024 Gold distinction from the College Board for its student achievement in Advanced Placement AP® courses.
The Assistant Superintendent of Educational Options and School Climate, Mr. Pat Crain, Mr. Dwight Jefferson, Director of College and Career Readiness: Magnet Programs, Ms. Michele Digiulian, Coordinator of Advanced Learning Programs, and Mr. Tim Johnson, Academic Specialist—AP® presented the AP® Honor Roll Banner and then facilitated a rich discussion about the school and its distinguished performance.
Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation CEO Yilmaz Ak and Chesapeake Science Point Board Chair Mrs. Claudia Chang congratulated and participated in the discussion with Principal Derrell Owens, the school leadership team members, and Advanced Placement educators.
The Gold Level of Distinction is the second-highest achievement level awarded by the College Board for AP® programs.
To achieve this distinction, CSP's Advanced Placement program met and exceeded the following criteria:
- 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least one AP exam during high school. (College Culture)
- Chesapeake Science Point had 70% in this category.
- 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a three or higher on at least one AP® exam during high school. (College Credit)
- Chesapeake Science Point had 49% in this category.
- 2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP® exams during high school, with at least one taken in the 9th or 10th grade. (College Optimization)
- Chesapeake Science Point had 33% in this category.
- Chesapeake Science Point earned a Platinum Level Distinction for College Optimization
CSP also earned the coveted and prestigious AP® Access Award! This distinction signifies that the percentage of AP® exam takers in an AP® Honor Roll school mirrors the school's overall demographics.
Please join us in congratulating and appreciating our AP® teachers, Vincent Batteast, Melissa Campasino, Emma Clyde, Tuesdai Ingulia, Tania Kingsbury, Katherine Perry, Alexander Powelson, and Robert Woerner as well as all of our AP students for their outstanding performance.
CMIT North and South High Schools Recognized for Diversity in Computer Science!
Chesapeake Math and IT High Schools in Laurel and Upper Marlboro are proud to be recognized with the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for their impressive female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). This award celebrates schools that expand access to AP computer science for female students.
For the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 schools received the AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for either CSA, CSP, or both. To qualify, schools had to achieve at least 50% female representation in one of the AP computer science courses or meet the gender percentage in exam takers. CMIT North and CMIT South High were among only 847 schools recognized for improving female participation in AP CSP.
School leadership is thrilled by this distinction and excited to see these young women excel in their future careers. Since the launch of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016-17, the course has grown significantly, with participation increasing by 161%—opening doors to more STEM opportunities for students.
CMIT Elementary and Middle Schools Are Among the Best!
U.S. News & World Report has recognized CMIT North Elementary and Middle, and CMIT South Elementary and Middle Schools as among the nation's best elementary and middle schools!
"The 2025 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings offer parents a way to evaluate how schools are providing a high-quality education and preparing students for future success," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. "The data empowers families and communities to advocate for their children's education. Research continues to indicate that how students perform academically at these early grade levels is a big factor in their success in high school and beyond."
Our school principals, Dr. Fryson, Mr. Brauer, Ms. Lewis, and Mrs. Green, were honored with commemorative plaques and banners to communicate this newsworthy accomplishment to the school community.
Our Schools are STEMtastic!
Click the pictures to experience STEM at each of our schools.
Chesapeake Science Point Elementary School
Chesapeake Science Point Middle/High School
CLF North Stars!
Mrs. Miki Monroe-Smith
CMIT North Elementary
Dr. Quiana Brooks-Curry
CMIT North Elementary
Ms. Michelle Crosby
CMIT North Elementary
Mrs. Benora McCain-Wigfall
CMIT North Elementary
Ms. Erica Nowlin
CMIT North Middle
Ms. Irania Maradiaga
CMIT North High
Mr. Courtney Marshall
CMIT North High
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.
Mr. Yilmaz Ak Ed.S., Chief Executive Officer
Address
6151 Chevy Chase Drive, Laurel. MD 20707
Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation was established in 2003. In 2005 the first of seven STEM focused schools was established. Chesapeake Science Point MH Charter School in Anne Arundel County, and the Chesapeake Math & IT Academy Public Charter Schools, Prince George's County, remain among Best Schools (US News). Chesapeake Science Point Elementary Public Charter School, opened in 2023.