New Public Charter School Opens This Month At Annapolis Mall

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A new public charter school for high schoolers is opening this month in Anne Arundel County.

The New Village Academy is hosting its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Annapolis Mall. The opening will run between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and allow community members to tour the grounds and learn more about the school's approach.

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Officials say the tuition-free academy is geared toward students and parents who want "high school done differently."

Ashley Williams, who serves as the school's director of partnerships and community engagement, told Patch that the school presently has a total of 180 students enrolled.

The academy will see students take part in weekly internships, community projects, and be enrolled in courses that not only align with their interests and desired career but also intertwine with the needs of the Annapolis community.

"We built New Village Academy because many students don't see high school as helping them reach the future they envision for themselves," Romey Pittman, founder and principal of New Village Academy, said in a release.

Related: School Resumes Plans To Open At Annapolis Mall

"When we put students in the driver's seat of their own learning, connect it to real work in the real world, and make sure every young person is known as an individual, something remarkable happens. That's what New Village is here to show."

The school, which is only available to county residents entering high school, was established in coordination with Annapolis Mall, the Anne Arundel County Public School system and the nonprofit charter school group Civic Builders.

Mackenzie Fontaine, the new general manager for Annapolis Mall, said in a statement that the school's launch underscores the mall's "commitment to serving as a vibrant community destination where families can connect, learn, and thrive."

The opening ceremony comes years after the project first surfaced. It was originally planned to open in 2024 but was delayed by the sale of the mall and later by federal grant cuts.

Organizers with New Village Academy say the school is still accepting students past its initial lottery window. However, they will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis as space opens up. The school opens to students Aug. 25.

Located on the upper levels of Annapolis Mall, at 2280 Annapolis Mall Road, the school can be found between The Container Store and Crate & Barrel.

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