Each of our schools’ leadership teams analyzed the factors that impact their students’ ability to engage deeply and achieve academic success. They shared stories of their students and families, some of whom are facing serious challenges associated with physical wellness, social-emotional stability, unique learning needs, family security, mental health, violence, and food/housing uncertainties. They discussed the obstacles that their students face daily when preparing to come to school on time, ready to learn.

Lothian is a loving, nurturing school that has many staff members who live in the community and have strong connections to the school history.  Lothian is comprised of a highly qualified committed staff who are dedicated to continued learning and supporting students. We have a diverse student body and community with dedicated parent volunteers. There is an active, devoted, generous PTA who dedicate many hours to opportunities for students and staff in the building. The PTA also organizes a variety of after school programs for students to participate throughout the school year.

There are many educational opportunities for all students that contribute to the culture of Lothian. Lothian implements school wide systematic Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral competence of all students. Our Enhancing Elementary Excellence (EEE) theme, Global Studies, engages students in a weekly course that fosters  the growth of the whole child, both intellectually and socially, encourages collaboration as well as independent thinking, and involves student led service learning opportunities. Students are challenged to identify and solve problems through a process that allows them to fail, start over, give feedback, take constructive criticism, locate multiple paths and resources, involve professional connections and publicly celebrate and promote their success! In addition, Lothian is a Targeted Title 1 school based on our percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced meals (FARMS). The Targeted Title 1 Program gives our school funding to provide additional staff members, support professional development, purchase materials of instruction, and provide Parent Family Engagement events throughout the school year.  

The leadership team in each AACPS school reviewed all of the factors that may influence their students’ engagement and achievement in school; these challenges include academic data elements, community history, and socio-economic aspects of each community. The school’s leadership team identified the following elements as impactful for their students.

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