College Park Academy Names Bernadette Ortiz-Brewster as Founding Principal

Submitted by College Park Academy:

College Park Academy (CPA), the rigorous new college-preparatory middle and high school, announced today the appointment of Bernadette Ortiz-Brewster as its founding Principal. Ms. Ortiz- Brewster will supervise teachers, oversee curriculum implementation, and work with CPA families.  She will officially begin as Principal July 15, 2013.  CPA opens its doors and launches the new academic year on August 19, 2013. 

“As a teacher and educational leader, I am overjoyed to be part of a school community that understands the value in utilizing the most effective and efficient technology to differentiate learning, while maintaining the vital adult guidance that young men and women need to achieve their highest potential. Most importantly, I am eager and excited to work with our exceptional staff, parents, and students,” she said.

Ms. Ortiz-Brewster brings nearly 20 years of teaching and administrative experience in K-12 settings, including a decade teaching Spanish at Punahou School in Honolulu, from which President Obama graduated. She also co-founded the American Renaissance Academy (ARA) in Kapolei, Hawaii, which like CPA, provides a rigorous college-preparatory program.  She was responsible for the planning, creation, and implementation of the K-12 academic program, as well as the after school activities. More recently, Ms. Ortiz-Brewster served as Head of Middle School for Good Shepard Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas, where she worked with CPA’s Executive Director, Marcy Cathey.  Her doctoral dissertation focuses on: Constructivist E-Learning Approaches to Professional Development.

College Park Academy’s mission is to provide a rigorous college-preparatory middle and high school option for Prince George’s students, preparing them for admission to top colleges. CPA will feature opportunities for students to accelerate as fast as their motivation and ability allow, including the chance to earn up to 60 college credits (25 of those credits from the University of Maryland) during their years at CPA. Students attending CPA will be well-versed in their academic studies and well-rounded in their overall educational experience. By offering one of the most robust extracurricular programs in Prince George's middle schools that includes music and dramatic arts, students will be fully engaged and flourish. 

In its opening year, CPA will comprise 300 students in 6th and 7th grade, and will grow one grade each year until it reaches 12th grade and 700 students. Applications for 6th and 7th graders began in January, and a lottery was held in February for student selection.  The school has a waiting list for Fall 2013. College Park Academy’s permanent site will be in College Park, Maryland. Its temporary home is near the corner of Adelphi Road and Campus Drive at the edge of the University of Maryland, in the former St. Mark’s School.