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Maya Angelou Academy @ New Beginnings
“I believe that every person is born with talent.” – Dr. Angelou

The Maya Angelou Academy (MAA) at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center is located in the city of Laurel, MD. The Academy provides incarcerated youth with the opportunity to fulfill their full and fiery potential.

MAA offers two academic tracks that can result in a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED). Our scholars enroll with a history of challenges that have hindered their prior academic progress. Upon entry, the average scholar tests at the fourth- to fifth-grade level in English and math, and has earned only a few credits towards graduation. The school’s curriculum is designed to help scholars overcome challenges through social emotional learning, acquiring credits toward graduation, and building the skills necessary for long-term success.

Scholars attend school by grade level with classroom sizes of ten scholars or less. They are detained for an average stay of 6-9 months, cycling in and out on a traditional school calendar of a nine-month academic year. About 50 percent of our scholars receive special education services and/or 504 accommodations. Each classroom is equipped with both a general and special education teacher along with support personnel. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods, including, but not limited to combining direct instruction with project-based and cooperative learning strategies

For the Maya Angelou Academy scholars who complete the program at New Beginnings, twice as many are furthering their education or working on a regular basis when they leave, compared to data collected during the first year of operation back in 2007. Additionally, there are a few scholars who leave New Beginnings each year and go directly to college (or shortly following a few months after their release). This scenario is virtually unheard of in a youth correctional context and we are very proud to deeply connect with a New Beginnings Phoenix.

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HELPFUL LINKS
EXPLORE AND MORE ONLINE
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Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services – Maya Angelou Academy at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center

⌨ Blueprint for Change: Education Success for Youth in Juvenile Justice System – Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings Youth Development Center

⌨ School Offers Model Lessons for DC’s Jailed Youths – EducationWeek

Students From New Beginnings Graduate – WAMU 88.5

⌨ IES National Center for Education Statistics


MAYA ANGELOU ACADEMY @ NEW BEGINNINGS
📍 8400 River Road, Laurel, MD 20724
📶 (202) 299-3227
🔥 Our mascot is a Phoenix which represents renewal, healing and inner-strength!
📡 For more about the Maya Academies please contact: Dr. Hayward, Deputy Chief of Secure Programs (she/her)


Getting to Know Principal Maurice Milline

What college or university did you attend?
Bowie State University (Undergrad), Trinity University (Graduate), Harvard University (Postgraduate Certificate)
What is a saying you live by?
A mistake is only a mistake if you make it twice
When did you begin your journey with Maya?
January 2008
Why did you decide to become an educator?
To ensure that our young people are given the same opportunities as their counterparts
What are your guiding principles?
Every scholar has the right to learn and be exposed to post-secondary options. Every scholar should have access to a safe learning environment that is engaging with rigorous instruction. MAA (Maya Angelou Academies) will consistently recognize and celebrate scholar growth and accomplishments.
Where’s your Hometown?
Washington, DC