Professional Development Schools and Partner Schools

A Professional Development School (PDS) is a collaboratively planned and implemented partnership for the academic and clinical preparation of teacher candidates and the continuous professional development of both school system and institution of higher education faculty. The focus of a PDS partnership is improved student performance through research-based teaching and learning.

Partner Schools provide early experiences to candidates for pre-internship courses.  In a few cases, when internship placements cannot be established in PDS sites, partner schools are used. 

The university enjoys a long-standing partnerships with elementary, middle and high schools in Frederick County, Md.  In the Spring of 2007 the schools in collaboration with MSMU elected to become either PDS or Partner sites and Memos of Understanding were signed.

PDS Websites

Elementary Schools

Ballenger Creek Elementary
Deer Crossing Elementary
Emmitsburg Elementary
Lewistown Elementary
Liberty Elementary
New Market Elementary
Thurmont Elementary
Tuscarora Elementary
Waverley Elementary
Thurmont Primary

Middle Schools

Ballenger Creek Middle
Crestwood Middle
New Market Middle
Thurmont Middle
West Frederick Middle

High Schools

Frederick High
Linganore High
Tuscarora High
Catoctin High School

Catholic Schools

St. John Regional Catholic School

MSMU Partner Schools

Carroll Manor Elementary
Hillcrest Elementary
Lincoln Elementary
Mother Seton School
Parkway Elementary
Sabillasville Elementary