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IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT UPDATE: As of 9/9/24, the CREA program is not currently accepting new enrollments for the 2024-2025 school year.  We are continuing to receive referrals for eligible students; however, they will be placed on a waitlist.  CREA staff will update home school staff and referred students and families once we are able to begin processing referrals from the waitlist.  

Career Readiness Education Academy (CREA) is an academic and career readiness education program for older English learners in MCPS.  Students in CREA are provided with opportunities to prepare for the GED exam, learn valuable work skills, and earn industry certifications.  Students are referred to CREA if they are at least 18 years old and unlikely to meet all graduation requirements prior to turning 21 and if they are interested in pursuing an alternative pathway to a high school diploma via GED preparation.  

The CREA program is currently offered at Thomas Edison High School of Technology as a full-day or evening program. Day and evening program options provide flexibility for students to continue their education on a schedule that best meets their needs. All CREA students have the opportunity to continue their education in MCPS until they turn 21. Students who participate in either the day or evening program are considered full-time MCPS students.  

 

Mission

The CREA Program provides high-quality education, workforce development, and wraparound services that enable older Emergent Multilingual Learners in MCPS to realize their educational and career dreams while strengthening and contributing positively to our community.

Instructional Philosophy

CREA staff approaches learning from a foundation of respect, empathy, and admiration for all students.  We utilize a trauma-informed, asset-based approach to instruction by intentionally creating safe and inclusive spaces to implement translanguaging pedagogy in academic and workforce development courses.

Student Eligibility

Students are eligible for enrollment in the CREA day or evening program if they:

  • are residents of Montgomery County and enrolled in a MCPS high school
  • are 18 years old or older by the first day of the school year
  • are enrolled in an English language development program in MCPS
  • are unlikely to meet Maryland state graduation requirements by the end of the academic year in which the student turns 21, based on a completed graduation plan regarding the 4-year or 5-year cohort options
  • are interested in pursuing an alternative pathway to a high school diploma through General Education Diploma (GED) preparation. 

CREA Full-Day Program

Where: Thomas Edison High School of Technology

When: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 1:50 pm

Transportation: Regional buses serving local high schools for CTE programming

In addition to English Language Development, mathematical reasoning, and GED preparation courses, students in the full-day program receive instruction in one of multiple career pathways:

CREA Evening Program

Where: Thomas Edison High School of Technology

When: Monday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Transportation: Central stops

Most students in the CREA evening program work during the day. Students take academic classes, such as English Language Development, mathematical reasoning, and GED preparation, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.  Students take career and technical education courses on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Students in the evening CREA program receive instruction in one of six career pathways:

Program Offerings and Additional Supports

Both day and evening CREA programs provide additional support for students and their families by facilitating access to additional services, such as resources for housing, health and wellness, and legal services.  CREA partners with various community agencies along with the School Based Wellness Centers and Identity, Inc. to provide comprehensive case management for all students. 

  • CREA GED preparation classes aligned to GED indicators
  • CREA CTE classes aligned to industry recognized certifications
  • Bilingual program staff, including Instructional Specialist, Parent Community Coordinator, Teachers, and Paraeducators
  • Bilingual instructional support
  • Regular cultural field trips and/or guest speakers
  • Free of cost to MCPS students enrolled in the CREA program (all student fees for CTE testing and certifications, uniforms, transportation, and meals are provided by MCPS).

Referral Process

Both the CREA full-day and evening programs accept referrals throughout the year for ongoing enrollment.  The CREA referral form (MCPS Form 280-82) should be completed by a staff member who works with the student being referred to the program.  Once the referral form is complete, attach supporting materials and submit all documents to the CREA instructional specialist via email at Lindsay_Walberg@mcpsmd.org. CREA staff will schedule an intake meeting with the referred students and their parents/guardians.  After the intake meeting, CREA staff will communicate enrollment decisions to home school staff. *UPDATE: As of 9/9/24, the CREA program is not currently accepting new enrollments for the 2024-2025 school year.  We are continuing to receive referrals for eligible students; however, they will be placed on a waitlist.  CREA staff will update home school staff and referred students and families once we are able to begin processing referrals from the waitlist.  

Documents

CREA Referral Form (280-82)

CREA Entry Criteria

CREA Brochure (English/Spanish)

Contact Us

CREA Program Specialist, Dr. Lindsay Walberg, Lindsay_Walberg@mcpsmd.org

CREA Parent Community Coordinator, Leticia Schoenthal, leticia_d_schoenthal@mcpsmd.org 

CREA Parent Community Coordinator, Pablo Molina Chemali (Mondays & Tuesdays), pablo_i_molinachemali@mcpsmd.org 

CREA Attendance Secretary and Outreach Specialist, Tania Perez-Fuentes, tania_e_perez-fuentes@mcpsmd.org

CREA Evening ELD Teacher, Stephanie Schoenthal, Stephanie_L_Schoenthal@mcpsmd.org

CREA Evening ELD Teacher, Maria Treminio-Ramirez, maria_m_treminio-ramirez@mcpsmd.org

CREA Day ELD Teacher: Ellen Daniels, Ellen_B_Daniels@mcpsmd.org

CREA Office: 240-740-5295