FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carroll Classical Charter School Submits Formal Application to Carroll County Board of Education
Pioneering the First Charter School in Carroll County for Fall 2026
Carroll County, Maryland – March 31, 2025 – Carroll Classical Charter School (CCCS) is proud to announce the formal submission of its charter application to the Carroll County Board of Education, marking a major milestone in bringing the county’s first tuition-free public charter school to life. CCCS plans to open its doors in the fall of 2026, open to all Carroll County students, with an initial capacity of 280 students for grades K-6 and a final planned enrollment of 360 by 2028 for grades K-8.
Inspired by the success of other Maryland charter schools, such as Frederick Classical Charter School, CCCS is committed to providing a rigorous classical education rooted in the time-tested Trivium—Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. The school’s mission is to cultivate a generation of students enriched with knowledge, critical thinking, and moral character, equipping them with the resilience and wisdom necessary to become honorable and capable leaders.
Honoring Carroll County’s deep agricultural heritage, CCCS integrates nature into its curriculum with hands-on learning experiences. Students will benefit from an on-site greenhouse, a multidisciplinary makerspace, and outdoor classrooms that enhance exploration, innovation, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
The strong community support underscores the demand for additional educational options. With 310 prospective students already expressing interest—surpassing the school’s initial enrollment capacity—CCCS expects to open at full capacity with a waitlist.
Carroll Classical Charter School is the visionary project of the Carroll Learning Alliance, an organization dedicated to broadening educational options in Carroll County. The school will operate in partnership with the local school system to provide a high-quality, innovative education for the community. In addition to classical education, CLA aims to introduce Montessori programs, agricultural-based schools, and culturally responsive educational options in Carroll County.
“We are thrilled to take this historic step in expanding educational opportunities for Carroll County families,” said Kim Zentz, President of the Carroll Learning Alliance. “Our application represents our steadfast commitment to academic excellence, greater school choice, and a learning environment that nurtures intellectual curiosity, virtue, and leadership, while giving students options so they can thrive under models that best suit their individual needs.”
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Bryan Thompson
Carroll Learning Alliance
Vice President
bthompson@carrolllearningalliance.org