The Lighthouse

Dear CLF, CSP, and CMIT Families,

As we begin a new academic year, I want to recognize the extraordinary spirit that defines our community. Despite the funding challenges charter schools continue to face, our parents, staff, and students have once again shown what it means to stand together with resilience, determination, and hope.

This past year, I have received inspiring feedback from leaders across Maryland about the powerful voices of our parents advocating for equity and opportunity. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed. You are helping to shape a brighter future for all charter schools in our state.

Once again, CLF schools have been recognized in the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, affirming that our students are excelling and our staff are delivering an education that meets the highest standards. State assessment data also show that we are improving across the board, proving that when families, educators, and students work hand in hand, success follows.

This year, we open our doors fully staffed and fully enrolled, with thousands of students still waiting for a chance to join our schools. That reality speaks volumes about the trust and confidence our communities place in us. It is also a reminder of our responsibility to ensure that every student who walks through our doors receives the very best education and opportunities we can provide.

Administrators, teachers, and staff, thank you for your tireless dedication and professionalism. To our families, thank you for entrusting us with your children and for being strong advocates. To our students, thank you for bringing energy, curiosity, and promise into our schools every day.

Together, we have built schools that are not only learning centers but also beacons of hope, excellence, and community pride. I am confident the year ahead will be filled with growth, achievement, and joy.

Here’s to a successful school year for all!

With gratitude,

Yilmaz Zayn Ak, Ed.S.

Chief Executive Officer

Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation

CEO Yilmaz Ak visited each Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) school in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties during the opening weeks of the school year. He welcomed staff, personally celebrated their dedication, and set a clear tone for the year ahead. Meeting with teachers and leaders on their campuses reinforced Mr. Ak's commitment to being present, visible, and connected to the day-to-day work that drives student success.

The purpose of his visits was threefold: to recognize the tremendous effort that staff invest in preparing students for excellence; to congratulate schools for the progress they continue to make in raising academic standards and building supportive learning environments; and to challenge each team to reach even higher levels of innovation, collaboration, and achievement. His presence underscored that CLF schools are expected to meet benchmarks and lead by example in shaping the future of public charter education.

By visiting each school personally, Mr. Ak demonstrated that CLF’s vision for excellence is not abstract or distant; it is lived out daily in classrooms, hallways, and communities. His message to every staff member was clear: their leadership matters, their work changes lives, and they are paving the way for transformative education.

Erica Turner, Special Assistant to DCAO Health, Human Services & Education, Office of Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy, visited CLF Laurel and CMIT North Elementary School on Wednesday, August 27th. The distinguished school principal, Dr. Fryson, gave Ms. Turner a CMIT North Elementary School tour. Upon visiting classes and experiencing the school's mission-focused, collaborative, and high student engagement culture, Ms. Turner graciously commended Dr. Fryson and her administration team before departing. CMIT North Elementary School is ranked #2 among Maryland Charter Elementary Schools and #5 among Prince George’s County Elementary Schools.

CLF CEO Yilmaz Ak then presented to Ms. Turner a comprehensive look at the charter school financial prospectus in Prince George's County, highlighting the charter schools’ need for equal funding for the over 6000 students. Ms. Turner shared and emphasized the county’s willingness and commitment to take a collaborative, results-oriented approach to the information shared in the presentation, focused on serving the Prince George’s County community best.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell and members of his Executive Team continued their tour of district schools on August 28, 2025, with a visit to Chesapeake Science Point (CSP) Middle/High School. Second-year CSP Principal Derrell Owens proudly facilitated the school tour, inviting Dr. Bedell to engage in an Art lesson taught by Mrs. Rachel Pratt, talk to students and staff, and experience the rigorous, student-focused, high-achievement culture that is Chesapeake Science Point Middle/High. Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) staff, led by their Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yilmaz Ak and Anne Arundel County Publc Schools Associate Superintendent for Educational Options & School Climate, Mr. Pat Crain have consistently partnered with school leadership and staff to propel Chesapeake Science Point once again to be named the best charter high school in the state of Maryland and #2 among Anne Arundel County High Schools.

Anne Arundel County Chief Academic Officer, Christina Catalano, Dr. George Roberts, Associate Superintendent of Instruction and School Performance, and visiting AACPS team members also engaged with faculty, staff, and students on the tour. Mrs. Gloria Dent, Anne Arundel County Public Schools Board Member, and the Chesapeake Science Point School Board President, Mrs. Claudia Chang, long-time advocates and supporters of Chesapeake Science Point Schools, shared commentary and insights with executive team members during the tour.

Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation’s Ashish Vadalia and Jason Karabault presented at the National Charter Schools Conference in Orlando, FL (June 29–July 2), leading a session on how artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching, learning, and school operations. The session highlighted CLF’s groundbreaking implementation of MagicSchool AI—demonstrating real classroom use cases, time-saving workflows for staff, and ways AI can strengthen communication with families and stakeholders.

Key takeaways:

• Personalized instruction: Using AI to differentiate tasks and feedback so teachers can better support diverse learners.
  
  

• Operational efficiency: Automations that streamline planning, emails, and routine paperwork—freeing staff to focus on students.
  
  

• Stakeholder engagement: Clearer, more frequent communications that build trust and partnership across the CLF community.

On August 22, 2025, CSP Board Members, CLF, and school staff gathered aboard the Spirit of Washington for the annual CLF Welcome Back Cruise in Washington, D.C.

The weather was perfect, setting the tone for an enjoyable time. Our school community enjoyed a delicious meal, scenic views along the Potomac River, and valuable time to reconnect and celebrate the start of a new school year.

The event provided an excellent opportunity for faculty and staff across CLF schools to reconnect and build relationships, share excitement for the year ahead, and reinforce the strong sense of community that drives our mission.

Here's to a successful and inspiring 2025–2026 school year!

Whether you've ventured into exciting careers, pursued further education, or made significant contributions to your communities, we want to hear from you. If you're available in the area, we invite you to come in for an interview. For those farther afield, we're equally eager to include you through a video interview. Please reach out to Annessa Wilson at awilson@clfmd.org to participate.

Your story is an essential chapter in the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation narrative, and we can't wait to showcase the diverse paths our alumni have taken.