PRESS RELEASE
LAUREL, Md. — Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) is celebrating another year of outstanding achievements following the October 29 release of the 2026 Maryland School Report Card by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
All three CLF public charter school clusters earned four or five stars under Maryland's school accountability system. Chesapeake Science Point (CSP) received five stars, the state's highest designation, while Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North (CMIT North) and Chesapeake Math and IT Academy South (CMIT South) each earned four stars.
The accomplishments are particularly noteworthy considering that, statewide, only 50% of Maryland public schools earned four or five stars in 2026.
Chesapeake Science Point
Chesapeake Science Point maintained its prestigious five-star designation, once again earning recognition among Maryland's highest-performing public schools.
CSP was among just 12 schools in Anne Arundel County to receive five stars on the 2026 Maryland School Report Card.
The five-star designation recognizes the overall performance of CSP's K–12 educational community, encompassing its elementary, middle, and high school programs.
This continued distinction reflects the dedication of CSP's students, educators, administrators, and families to rigorous instruction, academic achievement, and an educational environment that supports student success.
CMIT Academy North
Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North earned an overall four-star rating with 64.2% of available accountability points.
All three educational levels achieved scores within Maryland's four-star performance range:
CMIT North Elementary School: 62.4%
CMIT North Middle School: 61.5%
CMIT North High School: 68.8%
CMIT North High School demonstrated especially strong results in two key indicators of student success, earning 14.7 out of 15 possible points for Graduation Rate and 9.9 out of 10 points for Readiness for Postsecondary Success.
These accomplishments underscore CMIT North's commitment to supporting students from their earliest academic experiences through high school graduation and preparation for postsecondary opportunities.
CMIT Academy South
Chesapeake Math and IT Academy South earned an overall four-star rating with 68.8% of available accountability points, demonstrating strong performance across its elementary, middle, and high school programs.
Individual grade-span results include:
CMIT South Elementary School: 65.1%
CMIT South Middle School: 67.1%
CMIT South High School: 74.2%
Among CLF's most notable accomplishments this year is the performance of CMIT South High School, which achieved 74.2% of available accountability points — just 0.8 percentage points away from Maryland's five-star threshold.
According to the Prince George's County Public Schools Charter School Office, CMIT South High School's score was exceeded by only one other district high school, the Academy of Health Sciences.
The high school's results were especially impressive in measures of student preparation and success:
Graduation Rate: Earned all 15 of 15 possible accountability points.
Readiness for Postsecondary Success: Earned 9.6 out of 10 possible points.
Statewide Percentile Rank: Reached the 88th percentile among Maryland high schools.
CMIT South Middle School also distinguished itself, achieving a statewide percentile rank of 87, demonstrating strong performance relative to other middle schools across Maryland.
These accomplishments reflect a continued commitment to academic growth, meaningful learning experiences, and a school culture centered on student success.
A Shared Commitment to Continuous Improvement
The 2026 Maryland School Report Card results highlight the strength of Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation's educational programs and the dedication of its school communities.
Across its three public charter school clusters, CLF achieved one five-star rating and two four-star ratings, with all six CMIT elementary, middle, and high school grade spans performing within Maryland's four-star range.
"These results are a testament to the incredible dedication of our students, teachers, administrators, staff, and families," said Yilmaz Ak, Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation. "Maintaining five-star excellence at Chesapeake Science Point and achieving four-star performance across our CMIT schools is an accomplishment our entire community can celebrate. We are especially proud of the continued growth at CMIT South High School, which is now within reach of the state's highest rating. These achievements reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement and providing every student with the opportunity to succeed."
CLF remains focused on strengthening academic instruction, supporting student growth, creating positive learning environments, and preparing students for college, careers, and lifelong success.
The foundation congratulates its students, educators, school leaders, and families across CSP, CMIT North, and CMIT South for their hard work and dedication.
Understanding Maryland's School Report Card
The Maryland School Report Card is the state's official accountability system, evaluating schools on multiple indicators of academic performance and school quality.
Elementary and middle schools are evaluated using measures such as Academic Achievement, Academic Progress, Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency, and School Quality and Student Success.
High schools are also evaluated on Graduation Rate and Readiness for Postsecondary Success.
In 2026, nearly 89% of Maryland public schools earned three stars or higher, while 50% achieved four or five stars.
Families and community members can explore the complete 2026 results through MSDE's official report card website: