Aberdeen Middle School

Grace Cooperative Nursery School is a church-run preschool at 110 W Bel Air Ave in Aberdeen, Maryland. Grace United Methodist Church has run preschool programs here since 1976, and the school is licensed through the Maryland State Department of Education and the State Department of Child Care Licensing. It enrolls three- and four-year-olds in small morning classes and leans on family involvement, a hallmark of the cooperative model. The current director is Jennifer Grant, who teaches alongside April Lewis, Renee Stratton, Michelle Megan Collins, and Sammi Anderson. The program is split into two age groups. The Three Year Old Class is for children who turn three by September 1 and are fully potty trained. It meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30am. The Four Year Old Class is for children who turn four by September 1 and are potty trained, meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9:30am to 12:00pm. Depending on enrollment, more than one session may run in either age group. Four-year-olds can add an optional "Bonus" Class for an extended day. It runs Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 12:00 to 2:00pm, following the regular morning class, and starts in January for the second half of the school year. Day to day, the classes work on letters, shapes, name writing, fine motor skills, social interactions, and kindergarten readiness, with teachers adjusting enrichment to each child's progress. Across the year, students take part in music classes, field trips, and holiday celebrations, plus classroom guest presentations from police officers, yoga instructors, seashell and rock collectors, and bankers. Tuition for the Three Year Old Class runs roughly $960 to $999 for the year depending on the payment plan, and the Four Year Old Class runs about $1,760 to $1,800 for the year. There is a $75 registration and supply fee for all classes. Families enroll by contacting the school directly.

Swan Creek School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students in grades 2 through 12, particularly those with language-based learning disabilities and other unique educational needs. The school's core mission centers on providing flexible learning options that cater to individual student requirements, ensuring their academic success while promoting personal growth. With two distinct Blended Virtual Programs, Swan Creek School combines rigorous academic standards with nurturing support. Key methodologies include positive behavior interventions and a strong emphasis on collaboration among students, parents, staff, and community services. What truly sets Swan Creek apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and tailored educational experiences. This holistic approach not only prepares students academically but also fosters meaningful partnerships that enrich the overall educational journey.

4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, located in the Wicomico Forest at 5367 Sixty Foot Rd in Parsonsburg. Sandy Winter founded the program in 2002, and it operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a PATH International Member Center. The program serves children and adults with disabilities, including developmental, emotional, and physical challenges, using therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities. The farm setting includes an outdoor arena, a covered arena, and sensory trails, so sessions can run year round and move outdoors for trail rides through the forest. Programs cover both mounted and unmounted work. Therapeutic and Recreational Riding focuses on horsemanship and basic riding skills while working on muscle strength, coordination, balance, stamina, self confidence, and social interaction. Equine Assisted Learning and Horsemanship offers unmounted, experiential activities on the farm. The HORSEPOWER Empowerment Program uses horses for communication, problem solving, team building, and emotional growth, built around its four parts of Healing, Learning, Growing, and Riding. Equi-Thera-Play pairs horses with sensory stations, crafts, and outdoor play and is geared toward children, with an emphasis on social skills and engagement that fits families navigating autism. The center also runs HORSEPLAY, an adaptive summer camp, and Operation Charlie Horse, which provides riding lessons, trail rides, and seasonal trail ride socials for veterans, active and retired military, and their families. Private, one-on-one lessons are available for participants who prefer individual instruction, and programs can be tailored to individual needs. Summer camp cost varies according to available funding, so families should contact the program directly about pricing and any financial assistance. Instruction comes from certified therapeutic riding instructors, including PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI) and CHA-certified instructors for riders with disabilities, supported by a trained volunteer team that helps keep sessions safe. Every participant completes an application and health history before riding. The 2026 spring session runs from March 3rd through May 23rd. The program can be reached at giddyup4steps@aol.com.