9242 Smith Ave, Baltimore, MD 21234

My daughter will be attending Immaculate Heart of Mary for middle school, and while we are excited for her next chapter, I would be remiss if I did not leave this review and publicly recognize what Pine Grove Elementary has meant to our family.The reality is that not every school performs at this level. Strong leadership, strong teachers, and a strong culture are not things that can be taken for granted. In many ways, Pine Grove is a diamond in the rough and an example of what public education can and should be when the right people are entrusted with serving our children.As someone who cares deeply about education policy and is actively working to improve educational outcomes in Maryland, I often find myself focused on the challenges facing our schools. This review is about recognizing one of the success stories. While I hope to continue advocating for funding models, accountability, and academic standards that better serve both taxpayers and students, I also hope that schools across our state look to examples like Pine Grove Elementary.The leadership of Principal Valerie Lewis, combined with a staff of teachers who genuinely care about their students, has created an environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and personally. If more schools embraced the culture, commitment, and sense of purpose that exists at Pine Grove, public education in Maryland would be in a much stronger position.My daughter is leaving Pine Grove better prepared for the future, and for that our family will always be grateful.