Student Access and Achievement
The Student Access and Achievement Program supports various school-based acceleration and enrichment programs offered during the school day, after school hours, and beyond the school year.
Overview
The goal of Student Access and Achievement is to provide students with support to achieve the high academic standards of the Howard County Public School System. Student Access and Achievement is composed of several programs.
Community Partnerships
The staff of the Office of Student Access and Achievement collaborates closely with various community groups and organizations. View a listing of select community partners.
Acceleration Pathways and Supports
Extended Day
- BSAP Community Based Learning Centers (Elementary)
Extended Week
- BSAP Saturday Mathematics Academy
Extended Year
- BSAP Programs (Elementary and Secondary)
- Summer Institute (Elementary and Secondary)
Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP)
Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) is committed to promoting equitable access to educational opportunities and improving academic outcomes for students who have historically faced systemic barriers. Since its establishment in 1986, BSAP has served as a valuable resource for students, families, and the broader community.
BSAP aims to ensure students graduate college and career-ready by addressing academic disparities, fostering leadership development, and providing culturally responsive supports. Through a coordinated system of services, BSAP helps students develop educational, social-emotional, and career-related competencies, grounded in its guiding principles—The Six Ps to Excellence: Proud, Prompt, Persistent, Productive, Polite, and Prepared.
For more information, visit www.hcpss.org/bsap or call 410-313–1598.
Initiatives that are an integral part of the BSAP Program are:
- BSAP Liaisons
- BSAP Saturday Math Academy
- BSAP Community-Based Learning Centers
- BSAP Summer Institute
Hispanic Achievement Program
The Hispanic Achievement Program collaborates with schools and central office departments to advance the academic success of Hispanic/Latino students and ensure they graduate college and career-ready. The program offers family education workshops and events, promotes meaningful engagement with Hispanic/Latino families, supports youth leadership development, and partners with community organizations to enhance student support systems.
Hispanic Achievement Liaisons
Hispanic Achievement Liaisons are assigned to individual schools and serve as essential linksbetween students, families, staff, and the broader community. They play a critical role in accelerating academic achievement and ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all Hispanic/Latino students.
For more information, call 410–313–6667.
Read a staff focus story on Vanessa Morales, Hispanic Achievement Liaison, Reservoir High School
Hispanic Achievement Liaison School Assignments
Elementary Schools
- Bollman Bridge – Tatiana Pham
- Cradlerock – Elizabeth Perez Burns
- Deep Run – Patricia Brenfleck
- Ducketts Lane – Lorena Palmer
- Forest Ridge – Paola Loarca Estrada
- Gorman Crossing – Martha Altamar
- Hanover Hills – Griselda Osorio
- Laurel Woods – Vacancy
- Longfellow – Sandra Cusick
- Phelps Luck – Ana García-Hedges
- Talbott Springs – Vacancy
Middle Schools
- Bonnie Branch – Yadira Bendezu
- Harper’s Choice – Vacancy
- Lake Elkhorn – Elizabeth Perez Burns
- Mayfield Woods – Melissa Barney Montoya
- Murray Hill – Cecilia Ituarte Gonzalez
- Oakland Mills – Teresa Norman
- Patapsco – Ashley Anderson
- Patuxent Valley – Danializ Arbelo
- Thomas Viaduct – Minerva Contreras
High Schools
- Atholton – Elcy Seminara
- Guilford Park – Evelyn Chaverini
- Hammond – Elliot Quinteros-Valdes
- Long Reach – Juan Cruz Gomez
- Mt. Hebron – Julieta Urbina
- Oakland Mills – Jose de la Mar
- Reservoir – Daniela Yacobucci-Lapaitis
- Wilde Lake – Vanessa Morales
Special Schools
- Innovative Pathways/Homewood Center – Isabel Orris
Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement Program (MESA)
MESA is a structured, afterschool, pre-college program that prepares students for academic and professional careers in mathematics, engineering, science, and technology and is in partnership with The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Maryland MESA Program. Visit Maryland Mesa.
Program Goals
A primary focus of MESA is to introduce students to the Engineering Design Process, which is a foundational concept outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. MESA nurtures and fosters crucial skills that are in high demand to support new and rapidly evolving industries, some of which have not been created. Those skills include:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Agility
- Adaptability
- Initiative
- Entrepreneurialism
- Effective Oral & Written Communication
- Accessing and Analyzing Information
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Curiosity
- Imagination
MESA is designed to:
Increase the number of engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and related professionals at technical and management levels.
Encourage and assist minorities and females in achieving success in these fields.
MESA Participating Schools:
Elementary Schools
- Bryant Woods
- Cradlerock
- Deep Run
- Elkridge
- Hanover Hills
- Longfellow
- St. Johns Lane
- Stevens Forest
Middle Schools
- Bonnie Branch
- Folly Quarter
- Lake Elkhorn
- Patapsco
- Thomas Viaduct
- Wilde Lake
High Schools
- Atholton
- Guilford Park
- Long Reach
- Mt. Hebron
- Reservoir
- River Hill
Contact:
- James LeMon, Community Engagement Coordinator, 410-313-1255
Alpha Achievers
Targeting African American males in grades 9 – 12, the Alpha Achievers program is an education program of the Howard County, Maryland Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The program fosters a positive learning environment to facilitate students’ pursuit of excellence, helping them attain, maintain and exceed a 3.0 grade point average. It also promotes character growth, develops leadership skills, and critical thinking, and encourages its members to become full citizens of the school and the community. Current membership spans Howard County’s thirteen high schools, and there are 250-400 members each academic year.
Services and resources available to Alpha Achievers:
- Mentoring
- College assistance
- Scholarship opportunities
- Community service
Contact: Anthone Bond, Alpha Achievers Countywide Advisor
Scholars Leadership Program
The Scholars Leadership Program, in partnership with the Columbia (MD) Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated is designed to set a standard of culture, class, and confidence in the setting of all thirteen HCPSS high schools. The honors program was formed in 2008 as the result of a partnership between Oakland Mills High School and the Columbia (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The overall goal of the Scholars Leadership Program is to promote continued academic excellence in young ladies, who must earn at least a 3.0 gpa or higher, and provide mentoring support through the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Services and resources available to Scholars:
- Various educational and social emotional workshops
- Mentoring
- Leadership opportunities and skill building
- Scholarship opportunities
- Community service
Contact: Nicole Brown, BSAP Supervisor, 410.313.6771
Dr. Shereé M. Tilley-Whitaker, Coordinator of Student Access and Achievement, 410-313-6804
Multilingual Family Services (MFS)
Multilingual Family Services (MFS) fosters meaningful connections to ensure multilingual families are informed, supported, and engaged as active partners in their children’s education. Through the collaboration of school-based Multilingual Achievement Liaisons and central office staff, MFS ensures equitable access to school system information, resources, and services. Our work is focused on building the capacity of multilingual families to participate fully in the school community and contribute to student success.
For more information, call 410–313–1294 or visit https://www.hcpss.org/languages/english/.
Multilingual Family Registration Center
Multilingual students and their families who are entering the school system and need language support may register at the Multilingual Family Registration Center (MFRC). Staff will assess students’ English proficiency levels, evaluate transcripts, provide a brief orientation, and connect students and families to their school community.
For information, call the MFRC at 410–313–1297 (English/Spanish).
Multilingual Parent Leadership Program
Multilingual Family Services (MFS) also offers the Multilingual Parent Leadership Program (MPLP), a six-week initiative designed to build the leadership capacity of multilingual parents. The program equips participants with knowledge of the U.S. educational system and the organizational structure and functions of HCPSS, empowering them to serve as informed advocates and leaders within their schools and communities on behalf of multilingual students.
Language Access Services
Please note that Language Access Services, previously housed within the Office of Student Access and Achievement, now falls under the HCPSS Office of Communications.
Language Access Services are provided to help bridge the communication between the school system and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals. These services provide families that speak languages other than English with reasonable access to the same opportunities as English-speaking families.
Services help multilingual families to be better engaged and supported as partners in their child’s education. HCPSS staff facilitate communication between families and educators, and ensure equitable access to information and resources provided by the school system.
Families can request interpreting (oral) and translation (written) services in multiple languages. HCPSS contracts with and trains interpreters who represent the most commonly spoken languages among HCPSS families.
Learn more about specific Language Access supports.
Contact:
Jennifer Williams
Language Access Supervisor
410-313-7102