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College Park Academy

​College Park Academy Logo

5751 Rivertech Ct, Riverdale, MD 20737
Prince George's County
Grades: 6 - 12
Phone: 240-696-3206
Principals: Gordon Libby - High School / Steven Baker -Middle School
School # 2142

What makes us unique:

College Park Academy (CPA) was founded in 2013 by the College Park City/University Partnership as part of its Vision 2020 to create a top 20 college town. CPA’s Board is chaired by the dean of the University of Maryland (UMD) College of Education, Dr. Jennifer King Rice and includes UMD deans, professors, and alums, as well as College Park Council members and community leaders.

CPA’s partnership with the UMD makes it the premier charter school in Maryland. UMD faculty, staff and students infuse CPA with academic rigor.  UMD Colleges from Education and Computer Science to Engineering, Public Health, and Arts and Humanities are active at CPA.

College Park Academy is one of only six statewide public charters to receive a four or five-star rating in 2018-2019 from the MSDE. CPA offers a Blended Learning environment where students can take face-to-face courses and virtual courses with the most expansive course offerings in the state of Maryland. CPA uses the nationally-recognized Pearson Connections online curriculum in school and at home, allowing students to accelerate their learning. CPA offers dual enrollment with PGCC and concurrent enrollment with UMD. CPA also offers a robust “Signature Program”. This gives students the opportunity for themed coursework and independent study aligned with colleges at the University of Maryland. Our students learn from leaders and researchers at UMD, collaborate with UMD students, attend field trips at UMD and complete their studies at CPA with AP Capstone Projects. 

Community:

During the pandemic, as the only blended learning charter school in the state, College Park Academy partnered with the University of Maryland on two Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) grants.  The 2-year Innovative Virtual Teaching Academy and 1-year Remote Teaching in Excellence programs provided CPA’s educational leaders the platform to showcase emerging best practices in virtual and hybrid teaching and learning to nearly a thousand teachers from 12 districts across the state of Maryland.  

CPA offers a robust after-school program – College Park Academy Plus (CPA Plus). CPA Plus is a before and after school enrichment program that provides academic, athletic, and artistic extracurricular programs which supplement the growth and development of the students. CPA Plus provides a platform for UMD students and staff to provide STEM, tutoring, and fitness programs that enhance the academic aptitude, health, and well-being of the College Park Academy students. Through this partnership, the University of Maryland students are afforded service learning opportunities, internships, and paid positions which helps them to develop vocational and leadership skills for future employment.

Mission and Vision:

College Park Academy (CPA) features blended learning which will enable students to earn up to 60 college credits (including 25 credits at the University of Maryland) in Prince George’s County by High School Commencement.

College Park Academy’s mission is based on four fundamental beliefs:
  • We believe that our students thrive in an environment that offers rigorous academics and sets high expectations for student learning and achievement.
  • We believe that by the end of their 12th grade year, 100% of our students will graduate college and career ready, as defined by the State of Maryland.
  • We believe that blended learning provides students with an individualized education and the opportunity to engage with the wider community, which prepares them for success now, in college, and beyond.
  • We believe that mutual respect and genuine care for our community members is vital to our success.


​Programs:

  • After School Programs: CPA Plus UMD Partnership
  • Arts Integration: UMD Partnership
  • College Preparatory: UMD Partnership
  • Debate
  • Direct Instruction: Blended and Virtual Learning Model
  • Dress Code
  • Extra-curricular (UMD supported): Robotics, Drama, Glee Club, Ballet, Golf, Woodwind Ensemble, Swimming, Creative Computing, Model UN, Gaming/Strategy, Sisters in STEM
  • Individualized Learning
  • PTO/PTA
  • Restorative Practices
  • STEM: Partnership with UMD and Amazon Future Engineers
  • Summer Programs

​Lottery preferences:

  • Neighborhood
  • Siblings of current students
  • Teachers and staff

Principal's Message:

I am most proud of my school community when College Park Academy students are passionate about their studies and our rigorous curriculum challenges them to complete it with tenacity, focus, and excellence. 
  • All Grade 9-12 students partake in one of the six Signature Programs on offer. 
  • Eighty-three percent of high school students are enrolled in Advanced Placement classes. 
  • Early graduation is available to students who earn enough credits. 
  • Graduating students enter top colleges or universities following graduation. 
  • Test scores and attendance rates are some of the highest in Maryland.