Education

HOWARD COUNTY
Elementary, Middle and High Schools
Howard County Public School System
10910 Route 108
Ellicott, MD 21042 (410) 313-6600
http://www.hcpss.org
A great community deserves great schools, and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is a recognized source of local pride. The school system consistently ranks among the state's top school districts based on the Maryland School Assessments student performances. Howard County students, for example, score above the national averages on standardized tests and more than 90 percent of graduates go on to college.

Mission and Goals
HCPSS hopes to ensure teaching and learning excellence so each student will participate responsibly in a diverse and changing world. To ensure this goal each child, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability or socio-economic status, will meet rigorous performance standards, and all diploma-bound students will perform on or above their grade level in every content-measured area. Each school will also nurture a safe environment that promotes diversity and commonality.

The staff of 7,875 includes 4,647 teachers, of which 63 percent hold at least a master's degree, average experience is 12.9 years and average age is 41.

The 72 Schools in the District include
39 Elementary Schools
One Pre-Kindergarten through
8th Grade School
18 Middle Schools
12 High Schools
Two Special Schools
Total Enrollment for 2009-2010
Elementary (Kindergarten through 5th grade)—21,307
Middle (6th through 8th grade)—11,659
High (9th through 12th grade)—16,697
Special School—85

Career and Technology Education
(410) 313-6629
An advisory committee meets twice a year to review curriculum, and discuss industry trends and technology to include in HCPSS curriculum.

Career Areas include
Arts, Media and Communication
Business, Management and Finance
Career Research and Development
Construction and Development
Consumer Services, Hospitality and Tourism
Health and Biosciences
Human Resource Services
Information Technology
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
Transportation Technologies

Before and After Care
(410) 313-1930
http://www.co.ho.md.us/childcareresourcecenter
Most elementary and some middle schools offer before and after care by the Columbia Association or the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Bus
(410) 313-6682
http://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/schedule.shtml
Bus transportation is available for kindergarteners who live a half-mile from their school, elementary and middle school students who live one mile from their school and high school students who live 1.5 miles from their school.

Kindergarten
(410) 313-6682
http://www.hcpss.org/schools/kindergarten.shtml
Every child who is 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 must be enrolled in a public school kindergarten or an alternate program approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. All Howard County public elementary schools feature full-day kindergarten.

Registration Information
If you're unsure which school your student should attend, visit the HCPSS School Locator site at http://public.hcpss.org/sl/ or call the Public Information Office at (410) 313-6682.

Enrollment Requirements
(410) 313-6682
http://www.hcpss.org/schools/enroll.shtml
Once you've determined the school, call to find out the dates to enroll your child and whether you need to make an appointment. The student's custodial parent (biological, adoptive, legal guardian) must register the student and live in the school area in which they plan to enroll their student.
Make sure you have all the necessary imformation before you go to registration:
Parent picture ID—driver's license, military ID or passport.
Signed lease or deed with your address, valid dates and signatures.
Utility bill with name and address (non-cellular telephone, gas and electric, cable).
Student's proof of birth (birth, baptismal or hospital certificate, passport, military ID).
Proof of parental relationship, custody or guardianship.
Student's proof of immunizations.
Student's most recent transcript or report card from last school attended.
Documentation of special education (IEP), 504, psychological report or related services.

In the case of a divorce or separation, present a copy of the custody information to the school. If you are not the child's parent, you must have court-ordered guardianship to register a student.

If you have special living arrangements (living with a relative until your home is built, sharing residence with another family, homeless, etc.), contact the school's Pupil Personnel Worker at (410) 313 6646.

If you are buying/building/leasing, and don't live within your school district, contact the office for out-of-district requests at (410) 313-6997. If the student was born outside of the U.S. and/or needs ESOL services, contact the International Student Registration Center for assessment and registration at (410) 313-1525/7102.

Other Helpful Information
Obtain a copy of a birth certificate for children in Maryland from the Howard County Health Department, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21045 or call (410) 313 6300. Expect a charge for this service. Obtain a copy of your deed from the Howard County Circuit Court Clerks' Land Records Department, 9250 Bendix Road, Columbia, MD 21045, call (410) 313-5850 or visit http://www.mdlandrec.net. Expect a charge for this service.

Private Schools
From Catholic to charter, Howard County has at least 27 private schools approved by the Maryland State Board of Education. You can find many of them listed in the yellow pages of this guide or visit http://www.msde.state.md.us/nonpublic/nsab_directory/DisplayLocations.asp?County=Howard.

Higher Education
Anyone seeking a college-or-beyond education has plenty of classroom and online opportunities including Howard Community College, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College, the University of Maryland University College, Lincoln Technical Institute and the University of Phoenix. Check out the yellow pages of this guide for details about these institutions of learning or visit their websites.

Libraries
(410) 313-7750
http://www.hclibrary.org
The Howard County Library features all kinds of activities to promote reading—a Bookmobile, a Born to Read program, computer classes and educational seminars—at all locations. Call or visit the website for hours of operation.

Central Library
10375 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044 (410) 313-7800

East Columbia Branch
6600 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045 (410) 313-7700

Elkridge Branch
6540 Washington Blvd.
Elkridge, MD 21075 (410) 313-5077

Glenwood Branch
2350 State Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723 (410) 313-5577

Miller Branch
9421 Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042 (410) 313-1950

Savage Branch
9525 Durness Lane
Laurel, MD 20723 (410) 880-5975
And don't forget the Howard Community College Library at http://www.howardcc.edu/students/campus_services/library.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Elementary, Middle and High Schools
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
2644 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 222-5000
http://www.aacps.org
Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) provides a challenging and rewarding educational experience for every child in the region. With a FY2011 operating budget of more than $9 million, AACPS is the fifth-largest in Maryland and among the 50 largest in the nation.

The District Includes
78 Elementary Schools
Pre-Kindergarten through 5th
19 Middle Schools
12 High Schools
3 Special Education Centers
2 Charter Schools
2 Applied Technology Centers
1 Alternative High School
1 Early Education Center
1 Middle School Learning Center
1 Special Education Regional Center
1 Outdoor Education Center
However, the system doesn't sacrifice quality with the quantity of students it serves. Ten of the region's schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, and 14 have been named Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. With a staff of about 5,500 teachers, the region offers an instructor/student ration of about 1 to 24. And in 2010, the system graduated 5,039, with 80 percent going on to two- and four-year colleges or universities, 5 percent to technical or trade schools, 4 percent to the military and 16 percent to full-time employment. Students earned $64.9 million total in scholarships.

Registration Information
(410) 439-5683
http://www.aacps.org/mapinfo.asp
Make sure that your child has been withdrawn from their previous school before registering in Anne Arandel County. Use the map tool online or call the number above for assistance in determining what school your children should attend.

Enrollment Requirements
http://www.aacps.org/studentservices/enroll.asp
After you've determined what school your child should attend, contact the enrollment secretary at the school for enrollment deadlines. For most situations, parents will follow the enrollment proceedure for a natural parent with custody. Visit the enrollment web page for other situations, such as natural parent without custody, court-appointed custodians, foster parents, etc. The mandatory documents include:
Residency Documentation
Mortgage Papers/Apartment Lease
Tenant Residence Verification Form
One Additional Supporting Document
Utility/Telephone/Cable Bill
Current Bank Statement
Current Pay Stub
Income Tax Notice
W-2 Form
Passport
Voter's Registration
Car Insurance Bill

Evidence of Birth
(one or more of the following)
Birth Certificate (preferred)
Passport/Visa
Physician's Certificate
Birth Registration
Hospital Certificate
Parent Affidavit
Medical Records (all required)
Immunization (shot) Records
Lead Certificate for students entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten or first grade
Record of Physical Examination for students entering a Maryland public school for the first time (within nine months prior to entering or six months after entry)

Early Childhood Education
(410) 222-5441
http://www.aacps.org/earlychildhood
Anne Arundel County Public Schools offer mandatory, full-day kindergarten programs in all elementary schools. Children must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be eligible. A non-mandatory half-day or full-day pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds is offered in some elementary schools. Visit the website or call for more information about enrollment.

Before and After Care
(410) 222-7856
http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/childcare/index.cfm
Most elementary and some middle schools offer before and after care by the Anne Arundel Department of Recreation and Parks. The School Age Child Care (SACC) program provides a nurturing environment while promoting social interaction, community integration, physical development and intellectual growth. Sites with a morning program operate from 7 a.m. until the start of the school day. Sites with an afternoon program operate from the end of the school day until 6 p.m. All programs operate every day that school is in session for students. Visit the website or call for registration information and fees.

Bus
(410) 222-2910
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County offers transportation from designated bus stops for elementary school students who live more than 1 mile from their school and for middle and secondary school students who live more than 1½ miles from their school by the nearest accessible route. Transportation will be provided for kindergarten students who live more than one-half mile from their kindergarten. Exceptions may be made for handicapped students and for students who must use hazardous roads or routes on the way to and from school.

Private Schools
From Catholic schools to carter, Anne Arandel County has dozens of private schools approved by the Maryland State Board of Education. You can find many of them listed in the yellow pages of this guide or visit http://www.msde.state.md.us/nonpublic/nsab_directory/Display Locations.asp?County=Anne%20Arundel.

Higher Education
Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Parkway
Arnold, MD 21012-1895 (410) 777-2222
http://www.aacc.edu
Whether you're seeking courses toward a degree, technical certificate or just want to improve skills for a job search, Anne Arundel Community College offers a quality educational experience that is accessible and affordable. The college is also a participating member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, a consortium of 1,800 colleges and universities dedicated to providing educational opportunities for service members and their families. For more information about AACC and services for military, vets and dependents, call (410) 777-4838 or e-mail the school at military@aacc.edu or veterans@aacc.edu.

Libraries
5 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 222-7371
http://www.aacpl.net
The Anne Arundel County Public Library system has 15 branches. Each provides a wide selection of resources, including public Internet access, to residents. From an online catalogue to assistance with research to special entertainment for kids and teens, the Anne Arundel libraries offer a wealth of services. Residents may obtain a library card from any branch or by applying for one online. Call or check the website for specific branch hours.

Annapolis Area Branch
1410 West St.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (401) 222-1750

Broadneck Branch
1275 Green Holly Drive
Annapolis, MD 21409 (410) 222-1905

Brooklyn Park Branch
1 E. 11th Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21225 (410) 222-6260

Crofton Branch
1681 Riedel Road
Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 222-7915

Eastport-Annapolis Neck Branch
269 Hillsmere Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403 (410) 222-1770

Edgewater Branch
25 Stepneys Lane
Edgewater, MD 21037 (410) 222-1538

Linthicum Branch
400 Shipley Road
Linthicum, MD 21090 (410) 222-6265

Maryland City at Russett Branch
3501 Russett Common
Laurel, MD 20724 (301) 725-2390

Mountain Road Branch
4730 Mountain Road
Pasedena, MD 21122 (410) 222-6699

North County Area Branch
1010 Eastway
Glen Burnie, MD 21060 (410) 222 6270

Provinces Branch
2624 Annapolis Road
Severn, MD 21144 (410) 222-6280

Riviera Beach Branch
1130 Duvall Highway
Pasedena, MD 21122 (410) 222-6285

Severna Park Branch
45 McKinsey Road
Severna Park, MD 21146 (410) 222-6290

South County Branch
5940 Deale-Churchton Road
Deale, MD 20751 (410) 222-1925

West County Area Library
1325 Annapolis Road
Odenton, MD 21113 (410) 222-6277