Education

Elementary and Middle Schools

Talbot County Public Elementary and Middle Schools provide a diverse and positive learning environment. The core components of the elementary and middle school curriculum, (math, language arts, science and social studies) are designed to build a solid educational foundation for all students. The core curriculum mirrors the voluntary state curriculum determined by the Maryland State Department of Education. Strong related arts and physical education programs are carefully designed to compliment the core curriculum and ensure that each student will learn, grow and succeed.

Program success is shown by Maryland Student Assessment (MSA) test results. Every student group at every Talbot County Public School met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for both reading and math. Detailed MSA result information is available online at www.msp.msde.state.md.us

High School Programs

Promoting and expecting high student achievement is the overarching reason Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) began a One to One Laptop Initiative (one computer for one student) in the 2005/2006 school year.

In September 2005, TCPS provided each 9th grader with a laptop computer to use through graduation and for 24/7 access to learning. The program has continued to expand and now provides all 9th through 12th grade students with a laptop.

The One to One program supports lifetime learning skills by providing equal educational access to all students regardless of economic status, by increasing sources and varieties of learning experiences for student engagement, and by individualizing instruction for an increasingly diverse student population.

Talbot County is the first Maryland Public school system and one of 500 forward -thinking school districts across our nation with a One to One Laptop Initiative.

Career and Technology

TCPS believes that all students are career bound, regardless of their academic course sequence. Below is a list of Career and Technology courses that are available to our students. To expand the educational opportunities for all Talbot County high school students, they may access all Career and Technology courses through the Cross Campus Program.

The following Career and Technology Programs are offered at both schools unless otherwise designated:

• Academy of Finance (EHS)
• Cabinetry and Millwork (SMMHS)
• Carpentry (SMMHS)
• Drafting
• Culinary Arts (EHS)
• Career Research and Development
• Agriculture (Plant and Animal Science) (EHS)
• Teacher Education Academy of Maryland (SMMHS)
• EMT/Fire and Rescue (Queen Anne's County Regional Ctr)
• Project Lead the Way (PLTW) - Pre-Engineering (EHS)
• Automotive Technology (EHS)
• Business Management and Finance
• Communications and Multimedia Productions

The Country School

The Country School is an independent, coeducational, K-8 school founded in 1934. It offers a challenging program in a nurturing environment with small classes, individual attention, and outstanding teachers as its hallmarks. A traditional, structured, and age-appropriate curriculum focuses on building basic skills and serves a range of student abilities within a family school context. The school strives to educate the whole child in an atmosphere that fosters high academic standards, instills a love of learning, and provides a solid foundation for future education. Our spacious facility is equipped with the latest technology, a cozy well-stocked library, and outdoor fields for recess and sports. The Country School is a safe, comfortable haven where kids learn, grow and have the opportunity to enjoy...just being kids. Enrollment is approximately 300 students. Financial aid is available to qualified families.

Saints Peter & Paul Elementary & High School

Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School is a Catholic, co-educational day school founded in 1955 by the Saints Peter and Paul Parish and the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York. Saints Peter and Paul Elementary Located in Easton, Maryland, serves over 500 students in Preschool through 8th grade from seven counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore. By using a combination of traditional methods of instruction and innovative teaching trends and techniques, Saints Peter and Paul maintains the delicate balance of staying true to its founding mission of concentrating on basic skills and acquiring good work and study habits while simultaneously preparing students for the global community and the 21st century. A variety of extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities are offered to meet the needs of a diverse student body, and a full complement of interscholastic sports, including field hockey, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse is available for girls and boys beginning in 5th grade.

Saints Peter and Paul High School is currently celebrating its 50th year as the only Catholic secondary school serving Maryland's Eastern Shore. It is a coeducational, college preparatory school of over 200 students in grades 9 through 12 with small class sizes, a challenging curriculum, active student life, and spiritual formation. Saints Peter and Paul High School's mission is to teach students to think critically, creatively, and globally in a faith-based environment where they join with faculty in a quest for wisdom, knowledge, and grace. Saints Peter and Paul High School strives to empower students with strength of character, ethics, conviction, and knowledge necessary to cope with and exert influence upon our dynamic world. Saints Peter and Paul students score at or above the State and National average in SAT scores, and 98% of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities. A wide range of clubs, competitive sports and leadership opportunities are available. Saints Peter and Paul challenges and engages young men and women in mind, body, and spirit.

Saints Peter and Paul Elementary and High School share a campus but operate out of separate buildings, each with its own principal and dedicated staff. Saints Peter and Paul Elementary and High School are Catholic schools but are open to persons of all faiths and beliefs. Under the direction of a full time liturgy coordinator, students of all denominations are offered the opportunity for spiritual growth, sacramental preparations, retreats, prayer/liturgy experiences and services.

Chesapeake Christian School

Chesapeake Christian School, located right in Easton on Washington Street, is operated under the auspices of Easton Church of God. They offer a bible-based curriculum for Pre-K-12 with a low student-to-teacher ratio.

Gunston Day School

Gunston Day School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for motivated and capable students in grades 9-12. Originally a nationally recognized boarding school for girls, Gunston opened its doors in 1911. In response to local demand, Gunston became a co-educational day school in 1996. Gunston's mission is to foster a supportive and challenging environment where the art of learning is practiced by encouraging critical thinking, creativity, stewardship, and self-discipline. The school community is committed to high standards for academic achievement, ethical behavior, and physical fitness.

Gunston Day School's rigorous program provides students many opportunities to grow and to be challenged intellectually, morally, culturally, and physically. Gunston's program offers Honors level courses throughout the curriculum, as many as 15 AP courses, and an outstanding fine arts program. Athletically, Gunston offers 5 club sports, including equestrian, and boasts 17 varsity level team sports including sailing and rowing from its on campus boating center. All students are given unlimited opportunities to excel in all areas of the school's programs.

Gunston Day School encourages varied pedagogy that considers the process of learning in all areas of instruction. Its focus is to develop critical thinkers who have exceptional writing, speaking and reasoning skills as well as creative expression in order to prepare its students to become independent learners ensuring success in college.

The Wye River Upper School

The Wye River Upper School is located on the campus of Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. Wye River Upper School is an independent, high school for grades 9 - 12. We serve bright students challenged by ADHD, dyslexia and other unique learning styles, and students who may benefit from low student/teacher ratios and creative teaching strategies. Juniors and Seniors through dual enrollment at Chesapeake College prepare for college, career training and employment.

Easton Montessori School

The Easton Montessori School is a fully accredited private school for children from age three through kindergarten. Younger students participate in a half-day program while kindergarten students attend more traditional full school day.

Day Care

The Childcare Association represents over 90 licensed daycare providers who care for infants, pre-schoolers, and before/after school children in their homes. The Association also offers peer support, advocacy, training, counseling to potential daycare providers, and legislative awareness activities.

Critchlow Adkins Children's Centers (CACC)

Critchlow Adkins Children's Centers (CACC) is a non-profit private corporation governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Founded as Easton Day Care Center, Inc., in 1970, the Center felt that a name change to honor the founders would better represent our mission to serve the children of Talbot County at our five sites. CACC serves children ages 2 through 12 at sites in St. Michaels, Trappe, Cordova, and two sites in Easton. All sites are licensed by the state's Office of Child Care, and all four early childhood sites are accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education. A tuition assistance program is available to income eligible families.

Preschool programs are also offered at several local churches including Christ Church Day School, Presbyterian Day School, St. Marks Pre-School, and Immanuel Lutheran School. Easton Head Start, St. Michaels Head Start, and Manor Discovery Center also offer exceptional programs.

The college has experienced significant growth in the last decade, with construction of a performing arts center and economic development center in 1996. A state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center opened in September 2002. With more than 500 computer connections, the 48,000 square-foot building features wireless networking technology that allows students to access computer resources from anywhere in the building. Conference rooms, exhibit space and a cyber cafe are also part of the facility. In Fall 2006, Chesapeake opened the newly renovated Caroline College Center, a facility designed specifically for student needs. The Talbot Science Center was reopened in 2008 after an extensive renovation.

The college's Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Training provides a variety of non-credit course offerings designed to expand learning opportunities for the adult student. The office offers the opportunity for businesses to establish and realize training objectives through cooperatively planned custom-designed programs.

Students may pursue baccalaureate, masters' and doctoral degrees from several institutions at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center, located on Chesapeake's Wye Mills campus.

For more information about Chesapeake College, call 410-228-4360 or contact the Cambridge Center at 410-228-5754.

Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School

To provide each of today's professional marine engineers, deck officers, and related industry professionals with internationally recognized, state of the art training and experience that enhances the safety, reliability, and profitability of their vessels and equipment, while preserving and protecting the natural environment.

Other Maryland Colleges

Other Maryland colleges located within 60 miles of Talbot County include The United States Naval Academy and St. John's College in Annapolis, Washington College in Chestertown, Salisbury University and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore campus in Princess Anne. The Partners in Education Committee (PEC) sponsors a host of business oriented programs. Since 1986 PEC has worked with the local educators to offer a "Free Enterprise Workshop" which takes county educators into local businesses where they can learn first hand about business opportunities in our free enterprise system as they prepare students for the workforce.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center offers hands-on, immersion environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities that may spark connections with nature. At the 400 acre site, students can learn about ecosystems, water quality and agriculture as it relates to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. And through canoeing and challenge course programs they learn ways to further connect with the natural environment. Pickering Creek is dedicated to community-based conservation of natural resources through environmental education and outreach on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Historical Society of Talbot County offers two types of educational programs for school students. Classes of any grade may come visit the museum and the three historic homes on our site. These homes offer a glimpse of life in the Federal era, when the United States was a new country.

4th grade students can take a field trip to the Longwoods one-room schoolhouse. Students who visit the Longwoods school will experience "a day in the life" of an old one-room schoolhouse. As the students enter, they take name tags with the names of Talbot County students in 1900. The school day begins with the pledge of allegience as it was written in 1892, pledged to a 45 star flag. Students then write math problems on slates, and they recite a grammar lesson out loud. They examine a map of Talbot County from 1905 and find key features and places - including the very school they are sitting in. Students then have recess involving old-fashioned games. A highlight of the day is often a visit to the working outhouses.

The lessons are based on actual lessons used in Talbot County schools during the early 1900s, but have been updated to meet the Voluntary State Curriculum for Maryland. The curriculum was developed with assistance from the Talbot County School District and students in the Teacher Education program at Chesapeake College.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum offers educational programs including kids camps, community sailing programs and other educational programs.

These programs offer local students opportunities which extend beyond the boundaries of normal classroom experience to enrich their knowledge of our community.