PRESS RELEASE

Laurel, Md. — June 24, 2026 — Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) announced today that it has earned Cognia® Initial Accreditation across all of its CMIT and CSP public charter schools. Cognia is a nonprofit school improvement organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers worldwide.

Although Maryland charter schools are not required to pursue independent accreditation because they operate within local school districts, CLF voluntarily undertook Cognia's rigorous accreditation process to demonstrate its commitment to educational excellence, strong organizational practices, and continuous improvement.

"Initial Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission gives Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to building a strong foundation for improvement and enacting meaningful change based on our initial evaluation and feedback," said Mr. Ak, CEO of Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation. "This achievement belongs to our entire CLF community — our administrative teams, teachers, staff, students, and families — whose dedication made it possible."

Cognia recognizes schools and systems across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. To earn Initial Accreditation, institutions must show evidence of meeting Cognia's Essential Requirements, demonstrate commitment to the accreditation process, and host an Initial Accreditation Review.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, "Cognia Initial Accreditation is a rigorous, but flexible process where we work with schools and systems at every stage — from pre-launch to fully operational — provided they meet our nine foundational Essential Requirements. These institutions undergo an initial review to ensure they are committed to improvement, and in their two-year initial accreditation period, they can leverage Cognia's improvement resources to prepare for their Accreditation Engagement Review. We commend Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation for beginning their improvement journey with initial accreditation and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning."

CLF encourages families and community members to join in celebrating this milestone, which reflects both the strength of its STEM-focused schools today and its ongoing commitment to strengthening the educational experience it provides in the years ahead.

About Cognia

Cognia is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 100 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Learn more at cognia.org.

About Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation

Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) is a nonprofit charter school operator serving students in Prince George's County and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, through its network of CMIT and CSP public charter schools. CLF is committed to providing a rigorous, STEM-focused education that prepares students for success in college, career, and life. Learn more at clfmd.org.