5 Key Updates & Deep Dives Into Deep Run Elementary School’s 2025-2026 Academic Year
Deep Run Elementary School (DRES), a cornerstone of the Elkridge, MD, community, is moving forward with a strong focus on academic success and social-emotional well-being for the 2025-2026 academic year. As of December 2025, the school, part of the highly-regarded Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), has been actively communicating essential updates to families through its regular "Deep Run Digest" newsletters, highlighting key initiatives, administrative changes, and a commitment to celebrating its diverse student body.
The school’s mission is clear: to ensure academic success and social-emotional well-being for every student by celebrating diversity and setting high expectations. With a dedicated administration team and a range of specialized programs, DRES continues to be a central point for Prekindergarten through 5th Grade education in the region, adapting to the latest fiscal environments while maintaining its core educational values.
Meet the Leadership: Deep Run Elementary School Administration Profile
Deep Run Elementary School's leadership team is committed to fostering a supportive and high-achieving environment. The school is currently led by a principal with extensive experience in education, supported by a team of dedicated assistant principals.
- Principal: Nigel La Roche
- Current Role: Principal of Deep Run Elementary School.
- Professional Background: Mr. La Roche has an extensive career spanning over 28 years in education, having served communities both as a teacher and as a school leader.
- Vision: He has expressed excitement in serving as the new Principal, focusing on continuing the school's mission of ensuring academic success and social-emotional well-being for each student.
- Assistant Principals (Current Team):
- Jerome Pickens
- Colleen Golden
- Ashleigh Townsend
- Previous Noteworthy Leader: Denise Lancaster, who served as Principal, was recognized as the 2021 Howard County Principal of the Year.
1. Deep Dive into DRES’s Title I Schoolwide Program and Mission
Deep Run Elementary School operates as a Title I Schoolwide Program school, a designation that is central to its educational philosophy and resource allocation.
What the Title I Program Means for Students
Title I is a federally funded program specifically designed to close achievement gaps and ensure that all children, particularly those from low-income families, have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. As a Schoolwide Program, DRES utilizes these funds to upgrade the entire educational program of the school, rather than targeting specific students, to improve the achievement of all students. This holistic approach supports the school’s mission: "Deep Run Elementary ensures academic success and social-emotional well-being for each student by celebrating our diversity, setting high expectations, and providing an engaging, safe, and nurturing learning environment."
The school's academic curriculum is based on the comprehensive HCPSS curriculum framework, ensuring students from Prekindergarten to 5th Grade receive a consistent, high-standard education. Key focus areas include literacy, mathematics, and the integration of social-emotional learning into daily activities.
2. Specialized Academic and Social-Emotional Initiatives
To support its mission, Deep Run Elementary has implemented several key programs that enhance both academic learning and student development.
- The Learning Together Program: This is a crucial early education initiative, specifically for Prekindergarten students, preparing them for the transition to Kindergarten within the HCPSS system.
- Hero of the Day Program: This initiative is a core component of the school’s focus on social-emotional well-being. It is designed to recognize and celebrate positive student behavior and character traits, reinforcing a nurturing and safe school environment.
- Family School Partnership: The school actively encourages community involvement, with the Family School Partnership meetings being a regular fixture on the calendar, including a final meeting in December 2025 to close out the year. This partnership is vital for promoting better understanding and collaboration between parents, teachers, and administrators.
3. Recent 2025-2026 Community and Financial Updates
The latest "Deep Run Digest" communications from late 2025 provide insight into the school’s operational and community focus.
- American Education Week 2025: The school celebrated American Education Week from November 17th to 21st, 2025, inviting families to visit classrooms and experience the vibrant learning environment firsthand.
- Fiscal Environment Adjustments: In a notable update, the school system addressed the reality of a tight fiscal environment and high transportation costs. As a result, certain HCPSS-provided school visits are no longer available, reflecting a need for budget-conscious operation.
- 2025-2026 Planning: Planning for the upcoming school year is already underway, with the release of the 2025-2026 School Supply List for all grades (PreK-5) to help families prepare in advance.
4. Deep Run’s Academic Context and Ranking Data
Deep Run Elementary School, located on Old Waterloo Road in Elkridge, MD, is situated within the Howard County Public Schools district, which is consistently recognized for its high quality, often ranking highly in the state of Maryland.
The school itself has received varied but generally positive recognition. It was listed among Howard County schools earning top marks in Central Maryland for the 2024-2025 school year based on the Maryland State Department of Education's star ratings. Furthermore, one national school quality rating system places DRES as performing better than nearly 70% of all U.S. schools. While some ranking sources place it in the bottom 50% of Maryland public schools, this often reflects the complexities of serving a diverse student population under the Title I designation, making the school's focus on closing achievement gaps even more critical.
5. Topical Authority Entities and Key Programs at DRES
The school’s commitment to a holistic educational experience is evident in the numerous entities and programs that contribute to its topical authority within the Howard County educational landscape. These programs ensure a well-rounded experience beyond standard classroom instruction.
Key entities and programs include:
- Howard County Public School System (HCPSS)
- Elkridge, MD
- Title I Schoolwide Program
- Deep Run Digest
- Nigel La Roche (Principal)
- Jerome Pickens (Assistant Principal)
- Colleen Golden (Assistant Principal)
- Ashleigh Townsend (Assistant Principal)
- HCPSS Curriculum
- Learning Together Program (Prekindergarten)
- Hero of the Day Program
- Family School Partnership
- American Education Week 2025
- 2025-2026 School Supply List
- Social-Emotional Well-being
- Academic Success
- Maryland State Department of Education
- Old Waterloo Road (School Address)
Deep Run Elementary School continues to be a dynamic and evolving institution. Its consistent communication through the Deep Run Digest, coupled with its strong Title I focus and dedicated administration, ensures that it remains committed to the academic and personal growth of its diverse student body in the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. The school's efforts to balance a tight fiscal environment with high educational expectations reflect a resilient and dedicated community.
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