SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: Govans Elementary School

GES Exterior

Govans Elementary School, which serves the Govans community in North Baltimore, joined the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) network of neighborhood conversion charter schools in 2015.

In 2021, Govans moved to its state-of-the-art, new building on the site of the former building as a result of Baltimore City Public Schools’ 21st Century Schools Program. The new Govans school includes a two-story specialty wing of offices, student support zones, gym, media center, visual arts studio, tech ed facility, science lab and cafeteria, and three-story educational wing of classrooms. The building also has 3,000 square feet of community space to ensure that the school is a hub of activity for the entire neighborhood.

Govans Elementary School Leadership

Bernarda Kwaw

Principal
bkwaw@bcps.k12.md.us

Victoria Jennings

Assistant Principal
vjennings@bcps.k12.md.us

At Govans, our teachers and staff have the experience, expertise, and passion for elementary-aged children, from PreK through 5th grade. We research and understand how our students learn best and work with multiple teams of professionals to support each individual family. We work closely with our families toward a common goal, to see every student succeed academically and socially.

Bernarda Kwaw

Govans Elementary School Principal since 2018

Govans Elementary School’s Distinctions

375 students, PreK through 5th grade with ESOL for all grades
Experts in teaching and learning for young learners with a schoolwide concentration on early childhood and elementary school education
New, state-of-the-art building in 2021 on the site of the former building: two-story specialty wing of offices; student support zones; gymnasium; media center; visual arts studio; tech ed facility; science lab, cafeteria; three-story educational wing of classrooms; 3,000 square feet of community space to ensure that the school is a hub of activity for the entire neighborhood.
Principal Kwaw, veteran Baltimore City Schools’ educator with nearly three decades of experience as a classroom teacher, academic coach, and administrator; became Govans’ assistant principal in 2015 and was promoted to principal in 2018
Significant teaching experience by Govans teachers with most having taught at Govans for most or all of their careers, providing longevity and consistency needed for a quality education
Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (eGATE) school recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education
Diverse school community celebrated through numerous family events, schoolwide events, and the new, annual International Day celebration, to be held this year on Saturday, May 20 from 12pm-3pm at Govans and open to the community, celebrating the Philippines, Guatemala, Chile, Yemen, Jamaica, Senegal, and El Salvador–all countries and cultures represented within the Govans’ student population
A robust afterschool program (see below)
Great school spirit including mascot Govie the Dragon
An active and engaged parent partnership with support services for the Govans community coordinated by the Community School Coordinator (see below)

As one of six BCP schools in Baltimore City, Govans Elementary students receive:

Customized learning for each student through BCP’s research-based, individualized Direct Instruction program and Core Knowledge curriculum
Restorative Practices for cultivating relationship-building and problem-solving skills
A safe, nurturing, fun environment where every child is known and loved

Robust Afterschool Opportunities

Govans offers students and families many choices for afterschool activities. A highlight of the afterschool program, Dragons After Dismissal (DAD), includes a city-wide win by the Govans Robotics team in 2023. After school activities include:

Principal Kwaw checks out a science lab

Dragons After Dismissal, a grant funded program for K-5th grade students accommodating 100 students
Let’s Go Boys and Girls, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum
Girls on the Run, a running team
An award-winning Robotics Team
Academic tutoring programs free to all K-5th students
Boys and Girls Sports Club
Leadership Awareness
Chess Club and Tournaments
Art Club
Govie Club
Diamond Girls
Cooking and Nutrition Club

Govans Elementary Schools’ Partners

Strong City Baltimore, Govans’ lead community partner, supervises the work of Sandi McFadden, the full-time GES Community School Coordinator. Sandi oversees and provides resources, partnerships and services to the Govans Elementary students and families.

Services and partnerships include:

Community engagement activities
Annual dental screenings for students
Annual vision and free glasses and hearing screenings for students
An on-site food pantry with weekly food bag distribution
Seasonal food and family gifts including Thanksgiving and Christmas
Student Support Wellness Team
Full-time social worker on staff
Partnership with Dewees Recreation Center for family nights and summer programs
Partnership with local churches and nonprofit organizations that supports families with coat drives, shoe giveaways, and school supply donations
Partnerships with local universities (Loyola, Towson, and Notre Dame of Maryland University) providing trained tutors to support students in reading and math