Apex Arts students, parents urge board not to move program from Annapolis High; cite transportation and instructional loss

Students and parents from the Apex Arts magnet program urged the Anne Arundel County Board of Education to keep the program at Annapolis High School rather than relocate it to Severn Run, saying such a move would diminish instruction and create transportation hurdles.

"Let me be clear. This program should not move," said Jessica Hunt, a South County parent of a Bates Apex student. Multiple speakers described Studio 39's proximity to Annapolis High as central to the program: "Studio 39 is minutes from A High; by the time we get there from Severn Run, Apex will be half over," said Katie Clowry, a five-year Apex student.

Why it matters: Apex students routinely travel between their high school and Studio 39 during the school day. Parents and students said lengthening those trips would subtract instructional time, interfere with Apex Plus and extended-day offerings and could lead some families to withdraw from the program. Several speakers asked for the district to either remove Apex relocation from the options under consideration or to delay any move until after affected cohorts graduate.

Specific concerns
- Instructional time: Testimony included estimates that students from Severn Run would face minimum 30-minute one-way trips to Studio 39, cutting into class and extended-day time.
- Transportation capacity: Witnesses said moving Apex would require additional out-of-area buses and would worsen existing punctuality problems.
- Legacy status and equity: Parents asked for grandfathering or an option allowing Apex students to finish at Annapolis High if relocation occurs, noting leadership positions and club involvement that factor into college applications.

Voices from the program
Students in Apex spoke plainly about stability and leadership roles. "Senior year is a time crucial for all students. An abrupt move to another school would mess up all the accomplishments we've been achieving at A High," Katie Clowry said. JJ, an Annapolis High sophomore, told the board: "Please do not move Apex. Please keep Annapolis students in Annapolis."

Next steps
No final decision on Apex was made at the meeting. The board will consider public testimony alongside district capacity and program needs ahead of its planned vote next month.