The following is a public statement from Kim Zentz, President of Carroll Learning Alliance, made to the Carroll County Board of Education on September 11th, 2024.
Good evening.
My name is Kim Zentz, and I am proud to represent the Carroll Learning Alliance, a newly formed non-profit dedicated to expanding educational opportunities in Carroll County. Our mission is to empower families by providing exceptional academic programs through charter education.
My colleagues and I are excited to collaborate with the Board and the public education community to introduce charter education to Carroll County. Our first initiative is to establish Carroll Classical Charter School, a public charter designed to offer high-quality, classical education to CCPS students. This aligns with Maryland’s charter school agenda, which aims to “create alternative means within the existing public school system to provide innovative learning opportunities and creative educational approaches to improve student outcomes.”
By expanding choices in Carroll County, we can build a brighter future for students across the county and address the growing needs of our community. We believe the success of Carroll Classical Charter School will open doors to future programs, including Montessori and agricultural offerings.
We’ve already reached out to your charter school liaison to begin the application process, and we look forward to leaning on the expertise of this Board and the remarkable educators in Carroll County as we work toward achieving our mission.
Together with your support, our dedicated teachers, and local families, we can create something truly special for the future of education in Carroll County.
Thank you.