Community Schools

Community Schools are designated by the Maryland State Department of Education based on criteria in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. These schools receive Concentration of Poverty Grant funds to help address challenges faced by students and families living in poverty. Each school receives a Personnel Grant and, after the first year, a Per Pupil Grant based on the number of students in poverty.

Washington County Public Schools currently has 24 Community Schools, including elementary, middle, high, and special program schools. Each must complete a needs assessment, create an implementation plan, and have an advisory committee made up of staff, families, and community members.vThe goal of a Community School is to serve as a hub for services that reduce barriers to learning. Funding must directly support the identified school and its students, both academically and non-academically, often through partnerships with community organizations.

Wraparound services may include:

Extended learning time and safe transportation
Vision, dental, and mental health services
School-based health centers
Social workers, counselors, and mentors
Healthy food access and wellness initiatives
Family support, including language classes, job training, and education on how to support student learning

Extended Learning

A fundamental service of Community Schools is providing opportunities for learning outside of school time.

In the 2024/2025 school year, Williamsport Elementary provided extended learning to 185 students. Beginning in the second marking period with 60 students, the program grew to 125 students by the end of the fourth marking period.

Extended Learning is provided on Tuesdays and Wednesdays immediately after-school. Transportation is provided home to HUB stops for students that are eligible for bus transportation. Meals are provided to all students through Food and Nutrition services.

Extended Learning programming in 2024/2025 included a STEM Coding club, a Games club, a Cooking and Crafting club, an Animal Adventures club for first grade students and a Book Club for our second grade students. We also partnered with Girls on the Run and had 25 girls complete a 5k in the Spring while moving their bodies and building confidence in themselves.

Extended Learning will continue in the 2025/2026 school year and will be expanded to include more academic support opportunities for students. Fun is always built into the extended learning plan!

Information will be sent home during each marking period for student enrollment.

If you have questions regarding the program, please reach out to our Community School Manager, Lindsey Marin Meekins 301-766-2818 (call/text) or marinlin@wcps.k12.md.us.

CONTACT INFO

Lindsey Marin Meekins

Community School Manager

Phone (Call/Text): 301-766-2818
Email: marinlin@wcps.k12.md.us
Fax:301-766-2911

Please let us know if you need resources for your family! View our helpful guide below for local resources that may be of benefit.

Caring Cottage

Our Caring Cottage will be open for the 2025 - 2026 school year to support the needs of our school community. Food, cleaning and hygiene products will be available if your family has a need.

Please come to the front office and sign in. You will be directed to our cottage to receive assistance. If you need to access the cottage during a different time, please contact our Community School Manager to arrange a time to receive items.

As we work to build our capacity, please call ahead to make sure we have what you need. If there are items you need and we do not have them, we will do our best.

Our cottage will also host workshops and Parent Cafes throughout the year. Look to our school calendar for more information about upcoming programs.

Hours:

Tuesday - 1 pm - 2:30 pm
Wednesday - Please call/text/email for availability.
Evening or after-school hours available upon request