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)
- Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA)
Extended Week
- BSAP Saturday Mathematics Academy
Extended Year
- BSAP Programs (Elementary and Secondary)
- Summer Institute (Elementary and Secondary)
Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP)
The Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) seeks to close achievement gaps for African American students and ensure students are college and career ready at the time of graduation.
BSAP Achievement Liaisons assist Elementary and Secondary students with meeting identified educational, career, personal, and social competencies.
Learn more about specific supports →
Contacts
- BSAP Achievement Specialist, Nicole Brown, 410-313-6771
- BSAP Achievement Specialist, Ashley Armstead, 410-313-5681
Hispanic Achievement Program
The Hispanic Achievement Program works collaboratively with central programs and schools to achieve the school system’s goals for Hispanic students, and ensure they are college and career ready at the time of graduation.
The program provides professional development for staff, facilitates the engagement of Hispanic families, develops leadership skills among Hispanic youth, and partners with community agencies.
Gaston Gamez, Hispanic Achievement Specialist, 410-313-6667
Read a staff focus story on Vanessa Morales, Hispanic Achievement Liaison, Reservoir High School
Hispanic Achievement Liaisons
The Hispanic Achievement Liaisons are assigned to one or more specific schools. Under the guidance of the Hispanic Achievement Specialist, they collaborate with students, staff, families, and community members to accelerate the academic achievement of all Hispanic students.
Responsibilities
- Support Hispanic students and their families in the Howard County Public School System
- Serve as a communication link between school staff and Hispanic students, and their families
- Monitor the progress of all Hispanic students, in collaboration with school staff, to ensure their placement in appropriate programs, in order to accelerate their academic achievement
- Monitor the behavioral data of all Hispanic students, in collaboration with school staff, in order to increase positive learning behaviors and ensure student achievement
- Educate the school community towards a deeper understanding of Hispanic students and their families
- Facilitate the involvement of Hispanic families in the educational process
- Collaborate with non-profits and government agencies to support Hispanic students and their families
- Interpret and do short translations as needed
- Conduct Parent Information Meetings in collaboration with Special Education and Student Services and curricular programs such as the beyond school day and year programs, Title I program, and GT program.
School Assignments
Elementary Schools
- Bollman Bridge – Tatiana Pham
- Cradlerock – Elizabeth Perez Burns
- Deep Run – Lixa Rodriguez-Ramon
- Ducketts Lane – Elcy Seminara
- Forest Ridge – Paola Loarca Estrada
- Gorman Crossing – Martha Altamar
- Hanover Hills – Griselda Osorio
- Laurel Woods – Lourdes Corrigan
- Longfellow – Sandra Cusick
- Phelps Luck – Ana García-Hedges
- Talbott Springs – Arlette Garcia
Middle Schools
- Bonnie Branch – Yadira Bendezu
- Harper’s Choice – Lorena Palmer
- Lake Elkhorn – Elizabeth Perez Burns
- Mayfield Woods – Melissa Barney Montoya
- Murray Hill – Cecilia Ituarte Gonzalez
- Oakland Mills – Teresa Norman
- Patapsco – Vilma Rivera
- Patuxent Valley – Danializ Arbelo
- Thomas Viaduct – Minerva Contreras
High Schools
- Guilford Park – Evelyn Chaverini
- Hammond – Elliot Quinteros-Valdes
- Long Reach – Juan Cruz Gomez
- Mt. Hebron – Carlos Cortes
- Oakland Mills – Jose de la Mar
- Reservoir – Vacancy
- 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
- Hanover Hills
- Laurel Woods
- St. Johns Lane
- Talbott Springs
Middle Schools
- Bonnie Branch
- Harper’s Choice
- Lake Elkhorn
- Patapsco
- Thomas Viaduct
High Schools
- Atholton
- Long Reach
- Mt. Hebron
- Reservoir
- River Hill
Contact:
- MESA Specialist, Raymond Lucas (410) 313-5691
- Student Access & Achievement Coordinator, Sheree Tilley (410) 313-6804