More News

The new principal of the Excel Academy Public Charter School in Riverdale wants to make sure the school builds strong ties to the community, and hopes to partner not only with parents but also with local businesses to support student achievement.

"I want to make sure we continue to make [Adequate Yearly Progress]," said Principal Cynthia Blackwell, adding that she also wanted to increase the size of the PTA. Adequate Yearly Progress is the standard of student achievement in math and reading implemented by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Blackwell, 43, is a native of Pennsylvania who spent 16 years as a respiratory therapist before becoming a teacher in 2000. She has a master's in school administration from Trinity University in Washington, D.C., and previously served as assistant principal of Barbara Jordan Public Charter School in the District.

Blackwell replaces former Principal Lynne Todd, who is now the acting principal of Accokeek Academy middle school.

"I decided to go with charter schools because ... they offer more flexibility over curriculum choices and classroom sizes," Blackwell said.

Smaller classes allow teachers to give students attention they need to be successful, Blackwell said.

Blackwell said she was specifically drawn to the curriculum at Excel, which she feels differs from the Prince George's County curriculum because it is more accommodating to improvisation and alternative teaching methods.

Excel enrolls 275 students from kindergarten through the seventh grade.

In addition to expanding the PTA, Blackwell hopes to "find partnerships in the community ... working with businesses to reward student achievement," such as having local restaurants offer coupons for students that earn good grades or office supply stores providing similar incentives for teachers.

Building relationships both in and out of the classroom is one of Blackwell's great strengths, said Sherilyn Williams, who was principal of Barbara Jordan Public Charter School until it closed in 2009 due to declining enrollment.

"She promotes great relations with the students," Williams said, adding that Blackwell kept in close contact with many students after the school closed. "The kids basically knew that they had someone they could confide in, but also knew she had high expectations of them. Same with the parents — many parents ... felt comfortable going to her."

Williams also praised Blackwell's ability to get students out of the classroom, such as a field trip she organized to the U.S. Supreme Court where students had a chance to meet some of the justices.

Blackwell's openness has already impressed Excel parents.

"She's wonderful," said PTA president Selita Bennett-White. "What impresses me most is that she has first and foremost put the children first. ... I think she's going to be a wonderful asset to Excel."