The Lighthouse
Volume 2 / Issue 4
Dear Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation Family,
As we close another successful academic year, I am thrilled to reflect on the incredible milestones we have achieved together. This year was marked by significant accomplishments that have not only enhanced our educational offerings but have also solidified our reputation as a beacon of excellence in education.
We began the year with a major financial milestone, successfully refinancing our facilities for $70 million. This strategic move has generated annual savings of $1.5 million, which will be reinvested into enhancing our educational programs and facilities, directly benefiting our students.
The opening of our new CSP Elementary School stands out as a highlight of the year. The school has not only seamlessly integrated into our family but has also showcased tremendous achievement in its inaugural year. This addition has been pivotal in accommodating our growing community, which now proudly is home to 4,000 students. With the upcoming expansion of Chesapeake Science Point, we anticipate our family growing to reach 4,500 students.
Our commitment to maintaining the highest performance standards was evident as we successfully navigated potential budgetary constraints, ensuring that our CMIT schools continued to provide top-tier educational experiences without compromise. I am extremely proud of our schools’ rankings among the top schools in both the US News rankings and the State ranking system—a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and students.
Furthermore, our students have excelled in local, national, and international competitions, bringing home numerous awards and honors that underscore their commitment to excellence and innovation. These achievements highlight the effectiveness of our educational programs and the exceptional talent within our student body.
As we look forward to the coming academic year, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Our journey of growth and excellence continues, and I am incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and commitment of our students, parents, staff, and the entire community.
Together, we are not just preparing our students for the future; we are shaping the future, today. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.
Warm regards,
Mr. Yilmaz Ak, Ed.S
Chief Executive Officer
CLF Finance Department Accomplishments
School Year 2023-2024
- July: Executed timely major purchases and contracts for all schools.
- August: Funded 3M cash for CSP Elementary's facility improvement to start the school on time.
- September: Refinanced $64M debt at a 4.2% rate, reducing facility costs for CMIT North & South.
- October: Successfully completed MSDE and Casino grants for CSP Elementary as planned.
- November: Submitted audited financial statements on time for all schools.
- December: Transitioned the entire banking business to our investor, EagleBank.
- January: Promptly distributed W2 and 1099 forms across all schools.
- February: Filed 990 and Annual Report on time for all entities.
- March: Collaborated effectively to mitigate the impact of major Blueprint funding cuts for all schools.
- April: Submitted preliminary budgets to the Board and completed staff budgeting on time for all schools.
- May: Finalized the agreement and secured funding for the CSP Facility acquisition in August, reducing facility costs.
- June: Successfully managed the completion of $12M in ESSER grant purchases at the end of the 3-year grant term.
CLF IT Department Accomplishments
- Upgraded all internal wired network connections at CLF schools, making them up to 40 -100 times faster.
- Enhanced the wireless connection infrastructure at the CLF Laurel office, resulting in connection speeds up to 10 times faster.
- Replaced security camera servers, installed new software with improved processing speed, and increased storage capacity.
- Upgraded the CLF Portal server to a new cloud server, and the IT development team is continuously enhancing the software and adding new features.
- Established the entire technology requirements (such as Teacher's MacBook Airs, Chromebooks, iPads, Camera Server, Paging-Announcement System, VoIP phone system, Wired & Wireless Network Infrastructure, Firewalls, etc.) for the new CSP Elementary School and CLF Hanover office.
- Replaced old and malfunctioning student Chromebooks.
- Upgraded the Internet connection speed, Firewall, and phone system at CSP Middle-High School.
As the 23-24 school year comes to a close, we look back at the accomplishments of our STEM teams;
The SeaPerch Club had all teams advance through qualifications to the finals at the Naval Academy Event in April.
At the Anne Arundel County's Science EXPO, CSP, received six honorable mentions, three second-place finishes, and eight first-place categorical finishes.
CSP also took home 16 sponsored awards.
Nathan Watters won 2nd Overall in Middle School
Megan Yeager was the Grand Award winner for High School
Nathan Watters is going on to compete at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge!
Megan Yeager went on to ISEF in Los Angeles, CA, and won Second in Environmental Engineering!
MDOT Bridge Builders Club competed at the state level. The club was invited to the National Competition in Madison, WI, where they won first place in the Nation for the Bridge-Building Competition.
FRC Robotics had a huge year, with an increase in attendance and competing in several events. This culminated in attending the FRC World Championships in Houston, TX, and placing 4th in the world!
Our high school math team placed sixth and our middle school math team placed fifth overall in county competitions.
Chesapeake Science Point celebrates;
100 % Graduation Rate
100% College Acceptance Rate
$6,700,000 in College Scholarships
US News World Report ranked in the top 5% nationally among high schools
# 1 High School in AACPS
# 4 High School in the Baltimore/Washington Area
# 12 High School in Maryland
#1 Charter School in Maryland
Year-in-Review
As we reflect on the past year at CSPES, we are filled with immense pride and joy over our many accomplishments and the vibrant community we have cultivated. It has been a year of new beginnings, remarkable achievements, and a deepening of our family-like culture.
One of the most exciting milestones was the grand opening of our brand-new school. This state-of-the-art facility has provided our students and staff with an inspiring environment to learn, grow, and thrive. The energy and enthusiasm that filled the halls on the first day were palpable, setting the tone for a year of excellence and innovation.
A Family-Like Culture
From the beginning, we have been dedicated to establishing a culture that feels like family. Our students and staff have embraced this ethos, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is valued. Through daily interactions, collaborative projects, and school-wide events, we have built strong bonds that will last a lifetime.
Celebrating Diversity
Our community's diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Throughout the year, we have celebrated this through various learning opportunities and extracurricular activities. Cultural fairs, international nights, family dinner nights, and classroom projects have allowed our students to share their unique backgrounds and learn from one another. This celebration of cultures not only enriches our educational experience but also fosters respect and understanding.
Wishing Our Fifth Graders Well
We are proud to have had 48 fifth graders who have grown and achieved so much during their time with us. As they transition to middle school, we wish them all the best and are confident that they will continue to excel and make us proud. We are pleased to have a “bonus year” with them as they will remain at our campus for their sixth grade year.
Student Achievements
Our students have demonstrated incredible growth, in both math and reading. Using MAP Growth and iReady assessments as a measurement tool, we have seen substantial improvements that reflect our commitment to academic excellence. Additionally, several of our students shone brightly at the AACPS County Science Fair, showcasing their knowledge, creativity, and hard work. Students also participated in robotics competitions, chess tournaments, and SeaPerch.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we are thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead. Next year, we anticipate doubling in size, welcoming our first-ever class of Pre-K 4 students, and having 6th grade at our building. This expansion represents not just growth in numbers, but also in the breadth and depth of our educational offerings.
The past year has been an extraordinary chapter in the story of Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation. As we celebrate our achievements and prepare for the future, we remain committed to fostering a nurturing, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment for all our students. Thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive families, and, most importantly, our amazing students for making this year so special. Here’s to many more successful and inspiring years ahead!
CMIT-NES Year-At-A-Glance Highlights
CMIT-NES theme for the year was Moving Full STEAM Ahead in Excellence. Excellence is what we sowed and excellence is what we received. Below are our accomplishments for the 2023-2024 school year.
MESA State Championship:
- Second Place: Storybook Theme Park Ride
- Third Place: Wearable Technology
MESA Regional Championship:
- First Place: Storybook Theme Park Ride and Wearable Technology
- Second Place: Planetary Lander and Community Cleanup
Robotic Explorer:
- First Explorers Competition - Design Challenge Award
Math Club:
- Noetic Learning Math Contest:
- National Honor Roll Medal
- Team Winner Medal
- Four National Honorable Mention Ribbons
PGCPS STEM Fair:
- Caleb W.: Grand prize and 1st place - Material Science
- Rodney M.: 3rd place - Robots and Intelligence
- Henos E.: 3rd place - Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design
- Nasir L.: 3rd place - Chemistry
- Kaycie N.: 3rd place - Engineering Mechanics
Go Green Club:
- Received a Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education grant to purchase water bottles for each student to reduce water and plastic waste.
- Maintained CMIT-NES Maryland Green School Recognition
PTO and School Initiatives:
- Raised over $80,000 for the Makerspace, new technology, and school supplies.
- Hosted over 300 families during annual events (Donuts with Dads and Dudes, Muffins with Mom and Matriarchs, and Grubs with Grandparents).
- Over 100 parents engaged in Parent University sessions on topics from assessment data to STEM.
Multicultural Committee:
- Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Pacific Island Month.
- Achievements in the CLF African American History Contest:
- Parker Howard: 1st Place in Artwork
- Jeremy Parker: 2nd Place in Artwork
- Arianna Luke: 3rd Place in Artwork
- Lauren Andrews: 1st Place in Performance
Year in Review at CMIT North Middle School
The 2023-2024 academic year at CMIT North Middle School has been a remarkable journey of growth and achievement, particularly in STEM and overall student development. Our commitment to fostering a love for learning and curiosity has been evident through various initiatives, activities, and the collective efforts of our dedicated teachers, staff, students, and community.
This year, we embarked on an ambitious mission to extend our STEM applications beyond the classroom through a series of engaging field trips. Our 6th graders explored the International Spy Museum and the Maryland Science Center, while the 7th graders visited JA Finance Park and the Museum of Natural History. The 8th graders had the opportunity to learn at the Museum of Health and Medicine, experience the dynamics of motion at a bowling alley, and enjoy their annual lunch cruise in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. These excursions provided authentic learning experiences and sparked a lasting interest in STEM fields. Organizing these trips required meticulous planning from our dedicated team of teachers and responsible participation from our students, culminating in a successful and enriching year of field trips. Looking ahead, we plan to involve students more directly in the planning process as “STEM Ambassadors” and offer a variety of trips tailored to their interests to inspire deeper STEM connections.
Our engagement with STEM extended beyond the school day through various after-school clubs. Our robotics, Science Olympiad, TRACC Bridge, chess club, AV club, future pilots, and environmental cleaners clubs achieved significant milestones. Notably, our environmental cleaners played a pivotal role in recertifying our school as a Green School. The TRACC Bridge team excelled, winning regional and state competitions and securing 2nd place nationally. Additionally, our robotics team made history by winning the prestigious CMIT Golden Tiger award, outperforming other CMIT schools in the VEX VRC Battle in both judging and competition categories.
During regular school hours, we continued to emphasize student responsibility and academic excellence. Our exceptional teachers, blended learning lab, and career day events featuring professionals from various fields have greatly contributed to our students’ growth. Over half of our students regularly attended honor roll assemblies, participated in after-school tutoring, and engaged in authentic projects to demonstrate their learning. Our MAP and MCAP test data reflect our school's progress, underscoring the collective efforts of our teachers, staff, parents, and all stakeholders within the CMIT North Middle School community.
In conclusion, the past year at CMIT North Middle School has been a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, we have created an environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom. We look forward to continuing this journey of growth and discovery in the coming years, with even greater involvement from our students and the broader school community.
