Each of our schools’ leadership teams analyzed the factors that impact their students’ ability to engage deeply and achieve academic success. They shared stories of their students and families, some of whom are facing serious challenges associated with physical wellness, social-emotional stability, unique learning needs, family security, mental health, violence, and food/housing uncertainties. They discussed the obstacles that their students face daily when preparing to come to school on time, ready to learn.

Below is the school’s story as seen through the eyes of school leaders. They discuss the culture of their school and the community.

As Treasure Hunters, our staff strongly believes in creating a caring environment where all students feel welcome and are encouraged to thrive and grow to reach their full academic and social-emotional potential. We strongly feel that we have created an environment for Kids at Hope that supports the belief that “All Children are Capable of Success, No Exceptions.”  

Our beliefs about children are rooted in understanding their developmental milestones, and in developing and building strong positive relationships. By modeling mutually respectful interactions, we create and foster a welcoming learning environment that begins as each student enters the school. Our staff understands that students spend the majority of their day with the adults in the school house; therefore, it is our responsibility to create an environment where students want to come, believe they can be successful, feel truly supported, and know that they and their families are seen as partners in a successful school. 

Our focus is on reinforcing the learning and social behaviors that we want students to exhibit through using strategies such as Restorative Practices’ Community Building Circles and the modeling of IB attitudes and attributes. We also implement Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) to teach our students how to participate in a safe and caring learning environment, and how to interact appropriately with fellow students and adults. As a result, students are excited to come to school each day where they are welcomed by caring staff and school friends. We celebrate our diversity by embracing all students in an environment where everyone is eager to learn.

The leadership team in each AACPS school reviewed all of the factors that may influence their students’ engagement and achievement in school; these challenges include academic data elements, community history, and socio-economic aspects of each community. The school’s leadership team identified the following elements as impactful for their students.

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