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 mentioned, SRHS has a reputation for serving the community through extracurricular volunteer activities, in-school alternative credit opportunities, and curriculum-infused service-learning components in designated courses.  South River offers an on-location site for AACC's Early College Access Program.  This is included in the partnership Anne Arundel County Public Schools has with Anne Arundel Community College.  The Early College Access Program (ECAP) allows students to take college courses while enrolled in high school.  A few of the AACC courses are taught on site during the school day.  Some AACC courses are dual credit, awarding both college and high school credit.

Extra-curricular activities allow students to reach out to the community in many ways:  tutoring and mentoring younger students in our feeder elementary, middle, and special education schools; visiting the elderly at local convalescent centers; collecting the most donations for the county’s Harvest for the Hungry food drive for the eleventh year in a row; supporting needy families during the holidays; Toys for Tots; and participating in the Special Olympics and Relay for Life programs.  South River is the #1 fundraiser of all Maryland high schools for the Polar Bear Plunge, an event sponsored by the Maryland State Police in support of the Special Olympics of Maryland. Additionally, South River provides a strong, inclusive environment that supports students in a variety of ways. Programs such as Best Buddies and Unified Sports allow students with disabilities opportunities to participate as all students do. Students who participate in the Outreach Program are offered countless opportunities that include beyond the classroom, such as on the job work experience, the Unified Sports Program and working with Best Buddies.  The program coordinator takes pride in the fact there has been a 100% employment rate with some of the students earning a high school certificate.  To celebrate the many cultures that are part of our school’s makeup, the Equity team provides monthly cultural announcements to increase awareness of our ever growing diverse population. The culminating activity each year that brings to light the school’s cultural landscape is Culture Palooza.

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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