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“The Maritime Academy of Toledo is the best school I have ever been to. I have been going to the maritime academy for 5 years now and wouldn’t change a thing!!! My goal is to graduate from the Maritime Academy and become a trauma surgeon because the Maritime Academy and teachers at the Maritime have inspired me so much. The teachers are super caring there and help you with what ever you need help with no matter what it is.”

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Message from the Superintendent

It is with pleasure that I present to you the 2020-2021 Annual Report detailing accomplishments and areas of continued need for The Maritime Academy of Toledo.
The 2020-2021 school year proved to be one of the most challenging school years in memory due to the spread of Coronavirus. Beginning in March 2020 Governor DeWine had ordered all Ohio schools to close which continued through the last day. At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year TMAT went on a hybrid schedule which had 200 students in person and 100 students remote. Throughout the year this number fluctuated significantly as the entire county of Lucas was ordered to go virtual for over 2 months. I do believe that our Maritime staff rose to the challenge and did an amazing job maintaining and improving our instructional program throughout the year.
The Maritime Academy of Toledo is one of Northwest Ohio's most innovative tuition-free public schools using nautical themes to educate students in grades 6-12. All students, referred to as "cadets," are challenged to achieve academic excellence and leadership skills in preparation for college and the world of work. We strive to become Northwest Ohio’s premier career tech center with a personalized learning experience.
Maritime courses of study ensure that students master grade-level standards and complete a high school diploma-based course of study. Differentiated instruction ensures that every Maritime student will experience academic growth in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, technology, and physical education.
The Academy is committed to ensuring students receive a rigorous, high-quality education which incorporates career education beginning in 7th grade. TMAT offers students a challenging Ohio standards-based education that promotes teamwork and moral leadership through maritime/nautical focused themes.
TMAT is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment through a strict code of conduct. The Academy is also committed to developing strong partnerships with families through a strong parent organization, volunteer program, regular conferences, and intervention strategy meetings. Ultimately The Maritime Academy of Toledo provides cadets the Freedom to Succeed.
Signature:
Aaron M. Lusk
Superintendent

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The Williamson Turn
A Maritime Tradition

In the Navy, a Williamson Turn is a maneuver used to bring a ship or boat under power back to a point it previously passed through, often for the purpose of recovering a man or woman who had fallen overboard. It is common knowledge that the United States Military will never leave anyone behind without, first, expending a large amount of resources. As you see in the image:
At the Maritime Academy of Toledo we vow to do everything possible to never leave a student behind academically. When the Navy performs a Williamson Turn the original mission does not change but they take time to rescue a sailor. They have a strategic plan with a succinct set of steps to rescue and support the sailor that fell overboard. Our academic standards will not change or get easier but we will take time to "rescue" a student and provide the proper support. For more information on our "Tiered System of Support" and how we will implement our academic "Williamson Turn" please visit:

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At the Maritime Academy of Toledo our vision emphasizes the education of the “whole child” focusing on many traits that will determine future success beyond just academic test scores.
We believe that the success of every Maritime graduate depends on the possession of a variety of skills, habits, and knowledge.
The skills displayed below help determine the goals and objectives of the Maritime Academy academic curriculum.

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Once a Mariner Always a Mariner
The Maritime Academy Alumni

Maritime Alumni	Biography
Marcus Anderson	I am currently a third-year studying at The Ohio State University. I am a Biology major, however I am in the process of switching to a History major. My plan is to earn a bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Architectural Studies, then apply to graduate school to earn a Master’s of Architecture. I was honored to be named one of the co-valedictorians for the 2019 graduating class from the Maritime Academy of Toledo.
Mara Cload	Hi! I am a 2019 graduate from the Maritime Academy of Toledo. I was co-valedictorian with one of my great friends, Marcus. I am currently a third year student at the University of Toledo and I am in the first semester of my nursing program. I am going for my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I am currently doing clinical work and experiencing the areas in the hospital that I like! My goal after graduation is to work in the operating room or in postpartum care with new mothers. I love Maritime!!

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Maritime Alumni	Biography
Anastacio Vazquez	Hello my name is Anastacio Vazquez. I graduated from The Maritime Academy of Toledo with being top four of my class in May 2019. I am currently attending Owens Community College. I graduate this December from Owens with an associate degree in science with a environmental science concentration. After graduation, I plan on attending to The University of Toledo for a bachelors degree in environmental science. Thank you to everyone at Maritime that shaped me to become who I am today.
Victor Cruz	My name is Victor Cruz I am 23 years old and I was a Student at The Maritime Academy, I graduated from Glass City Academy back in 2017 and immediately enlisted in the military. I had some time before shipping out so I volunteered at a few places such as The Cherry St. mission, Walleye Hockey games, Mudhens games, concerts, Etc. / I left for Basic Combat Training on January 22,2018. I was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. I was there for 10 weeks learning to be a soldier. I graduated from basic training in May of 2018, and was shipped to my next training station at Fort Lee, Virginia. I was learning my job at this training station. I was learning how to be a Generator Mechanic, and I was here for 8 weeks. I Graduated my job training in June 2018, I was then a holdover for a week. / When I got my orders they were to Fort Campbell, KY (Home Of The Screaming Eagles). My first unit was 1-75 Cav Scout D Co. After being there for a couple days I was sent to Jrtc for a month-long training mission. Upon returning from JRTC I got told I was switching companies. I was then Sent to 1-320th FAR. Here I got to learn my Job further, I was here for a year going on recovery missions and I was also the armorer for the company so I messed with all the weapons, I cross trained with a few people and I learned a little about howitzers and vehicles. / Finally my career took me to the sustainment brigade in Fort Campbell. I ended up in 129th CSSB and my company was 584th SMC. In this unit I provided division wide maintenance. So I had to ensure all generators were up to date when it was time for field missions and or deployments. My career ended on June 22, 2021. I went to air assault school, I was a sharpshooter, and I have a driver's/mechanics badge. I am proud that I served and I got to be part of an amazing division. / 101st Airborne Division SCREAMING EAGLES!!!

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The Maritime Academy Roll of Honor

Members of our Maritime Academy family who have retired in 2020-2021:
Barb Pinter: Governing Board Member
Linda Stacy: Governing Board Member
Thomas Shafer: Superintendent
Rick Brown: Career Tech Director
We Wish you Fair Winds and Following Seas!

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Working at Maritime Academy

Katie Colegrove / Social Studies	Katie Colegrove has taught at The Maritime Academy for 7 years and during this time had even been offered positions at schools closer to her house. She lives in Fayette, Ohio and drives a 2 hour round trip every day. Mrs. Colegrove says that her favorite part of working at Maritime has been getting to know all of our amazing students and watching them grow to be even more awesome.

During the 2015-2016 school year 72% of our teachers had less than 4 years experience we have managed to reduce that percentage to 26.1%.

“The staff are supportive and encouraging. Management is understanding of life's circumstances and makes an effort to know us not just as employees, but as individuals. I am extremely proud of my school and the work we do and look forward to coming to work every day.“

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Academics

The Maritime Academy of Toledo continually works to improve academic scores. We have and will continue to work on the implementation of evidenced-based practices including Teacher Clarity and a Multi-Tiered System of Support. Due to the pandemic we do not have a great deal of valid academic data for the 2020-2021 school year but do utilize what we have to improve instruction. We are

What Is Teacher Clarity?
When teachers are clear in the expectations and instruction, students learn more.
Teacher clarity is both a method and a mindset, and it has an effect size of 0.75 (Hattie, 2009).
It’s teaching that is organized and intentional. It brings a forthrightness and fairness to the classroom because student learning is based on transparent expectations. And when we are clear, our students can better plan and predict, set goals, and acquire a stronger sense of how to judge their own progress.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

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Academics

The value added data helps educators measure the impact schools and teachers have on students’ academic progress rates from year to year. Ohio selected a value-added measure that provides educators with information on how they can use data to focus instruction. Ohio selected its value-added model after thousands of the state’s educators used this analytical approach to see how students were progressing and which teaching methods were having the greatest impact. Although there were no ratings for the 2020-2021 school year this data can still provide valuable insight into the progress made by students and which teaching methods are effective for student learning. As this data shows we have made growth in many academic areas even making more progress than expected in Geometry, 6th grade mathematics, and 7th and 8th grade ELA. This gives us a baseline to continue to make academic progress.

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Finances

For the 2020-2021 school year the Maritime Academy of Toledo once again earned a clean, “No Findings,” financial audit from the State Auditor’s office. The Maritime Academy has had “Clean Financial Audits” from the state of Ohio every year since 2011.

Funds	Beginning Balance	Ending Balance
General Fund	$543,578.93	$1,101,511.20
Permanent Improvement	$2,500	$52,500
Food Service	-6,297.52	$4,304.65
Satin Gavel Scholarship Fund	$2,700.00	$5,350.00
Uniform Supply Fund	$5,032.44	$4,952.04
Leadership Fund	$1,280.62	$1,280.62
Rotary Uniform Fund	$3,530.54	$3,530.54
Class Fund	-$390.92	-$438.42
Prom Fund	$1,094.69	$1,094.69
Student Activities Fund	$874.10	$761.03
Cadet Chronicle Fund	$767.66	$767.66
Culinary Fund	$3,172.49	$3,372.49
Athletic Fund (Basketball)	$450.36	$280.12
Tall Ships Fund	$7,040.00	$7,040.00

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Finances

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New Website

During the 2020-2021 school year The Maritime Academy of Toledo developed a new and innovative website that features a design that complements the nautical theme. It also provides a mobile friendly format that will coincide with our upcoming mobile app.

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2021 Graduation

For the 2021 graduation we had a total of 44 graduates with 5 of those graduates being juniors. Because of the pandemic we had several seniors that elected to stay for a fifth year of high school so our 2021 graduation rate will be slightly lower than normal.

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The Maritime Academy in the Media

JON CHAVEZ

The Blade

jchavez@theblade.com

Maritime Academy helps students find their bearings,
careers
Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate’s life for me.
Or maybe a chef’s life instead, or the life of a marine biologist, or even life as a nuclear engineer.
At the Maritime Academy of Toledo, a student with dreams of having a career on the water can choose to do that. But don’t be fooled, matey.
While the unusual charter school does provide a conduit for students grades 6-12 to pursue maritime occupations, being a water enthusiast isn’t a requirement although the school’s name might imply that.
Instead this unusual charter public school, located at 803 Water St. along the Toledo waterfront, provides students with many career paths but also focuses on individualized attention.
“It’s really an individualized experience. We’re never going to be a big school, but that’s the point. Students receive individual curriculums tailored to their needs,” said Aaron Lusk, the new superintendent of the Maritime Academy.

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Opened in 2006 and occupying the Water Street location since 2008 when the American Maritime Officers Union moved out of the building to head for Florida, the Maritime Academy is a public school and open to all students. But it’s not your usual public school to be sure.
It has an aquatic simulator, fully operable boats, and a full-sized pool. Students or “Cadets” have uniforms and in the mornings a color guard raises the flag and they salute. Those at the school speak in nautical terms and there is strong discipline employed during school hours.
But the students and teacher there genuinely want to be there, Mr. Lusk said, and transfers out are rare. In the 2018-19 school year there were 285 students and last year only 12 students eligible to return chose not to stay.
“Most of our students come through word of mouth. Parents will tell other parents. We usually have whole families go here,” the superintendent said.
“It is a public school, so we take everybody. But class size is small,” he said. “For our middle school classes the maximum is 20 students and for high school it’s 25 maximum — but usually it’s less. Some classes only have six or seven students, and that’s one of the reasons parents choose this.
“The students like to be here, they like to be at this school. The teachers care about them. Everybody who walks into the buildings talks about how positive it is,” Mr. Lusk added.
Maricella Morales started at the Maritime Academy as a freshman, transferring there from the Lake Local Schools district. She graduated this spring as the salutatorian of her 44-member senior class and this fall will head to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. to study to become a chef. “The Maritime Academy, it opened up a lot of opportunities for me,” Miss Morales said. “I had 18 college credits when I graduated and it helped me a lot getting where I want to be. I’m hoping to have my own restaurant or bakery in the future. I love baking.” Miss Morales said the academy was different from her previous school experience. “They are more hands-on with their students , more one-on-one,” she said.
As for the nautical aspect, before enrolling at the academy, Miss Morales said she had never been on the water previously except aboard a cruise ship.
“I took a maritime career tech course there and I got my boating license when I was 15. They kept me going on the water,” she said. Her highlight, she added, was a two-week trip aboard the tall ship U.S. Niagara.
“That was amazing. You learned the ropes of working a real ship. You’re up at night to do your watch and you sleep in a hammock,” she said.
“The thing about (the Maritime Academy) is you have assumptions that it would be about the water, but you learn there is so much more to it. … It helps you get a job or figure out what you want to do in life,” Miss Morales said.

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The Maritime Academy in the Media

Toledo Blade Continued...
Mr. Lusk, a U.S. Marine Corps vet who served in the Iraq war, said the school is set up so that students can choose three different academic paths. There is a career path to occupations in the maritime industry, to traditional colleges with some students taking courses at Owens College, or a general applied path focusing on language, arts, and math.
This spring, one student received a full scholarship to Ohio State University. Two other graduates joined the U.S. Navy and qualified for its Nuclear Navy program, with one receiving training to be a nuclear engineer. “The Ohio Department of Education only requires 20 credits to graduate. Our average graduates have 24 credits,” he said.
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing academically for the school. In
2018 when Mr. Lusk was principal of the school, the student body took the Ohio Department of Education’s academic test and scored an “F” on performance and a “D” or “F” on closing the gap. State law calls for the closure of charter schools that score low on performance index and gap closing measures two out of three years.
“Those test scores and that report card, I own that,” Mr. Lusk said without any attempts to shift the blame.
“Honestly, we pretty much started over as a school in 2015. We had a whole new administration and started with a variety of new teachers. We added board members and had a new board president,” he said.
The school was not prepared for that 2018 test, the superintendent said.
But this past year the Maritime Academy focused on preparing for the test — only to have the test canceled along with school. “Quite frankly, if we’d been able to take the test this last year, we’d have been able to show what we can really do,” Mr. Lusk said.
“We worked really hard last year and then the test was canceled. Now we have to wait to test again, but I know a thousand more things about the report card than I did then,” he added.
For Trina Vasquez, a parent who had two sons go through the Maritime Academy, the allure of school was less about how it performed on the state exam and more about how it is willing to help all students, especially those needing specialized attention.
Mrs. Vasquez's oldest son, Cade Schmidt, has a developmental disability that impeded his progress in a regular public school. The Maritime Academy, she said, was a lifeline when no others were available.

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Toledo Blade Continued...
“He was basically failing school because of his disability and no one there would help me,” Ms. Vasquez said. “The Maritime Academy is about a block away from where I work and they had a sign saying they were enrolling students. They had him in there the next week and they did an (Individualized Education Plan) right IEP. There was only a month left in the school year, but it was amazing that they would do that for my child,” she said.
Cade graduated in 2019 but his younger brother, Julius Vasquez heard that the school had “great food” and wanted to go there, so Ms. Vasquez enrolled him at Maritime Academy.
Julius went through the culinary program but upon graduating this year he opted to join the U.S. Army. His mother and father, Vincent Vasquez, are both Army veterans.
“He did some classes at Owens while he was there and he got good grades. I loved it because they’re very flexible there,” Mrs. Vasquez said.
The school eventually set up a program for Cade that let him attend school for half a day and spend the rest of the day with a school project at his house.
“Yes, some of it is they are military-esque and being a veteran, I loved that part. But they also give kids a chance where, if they make a mistake, they let them fix their mistakes,” she said.
Mr. Lusk, who began his teaching career at the academy as a special education teacher, said the academy strives to be flexible and come up with a teaching plan that works for the student, teacher, and parent. That flexibility will pay off this fall as the Maritime Academy seeks ways to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. “If a parent wants a student to come on Mondays and Tuesday, and be home the rest of the week, there's no problem,” Mr. Lusk said. “We have the ability to spread out and have small classes.”
Either way, the new superintendent said his school will remain afloat in some fashion, even if it is forced to go virtual with remote learning.
“There’s going to be great things coming out of the Maritime academy and I believe that 100 percent,” he said.

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The Maritime Academy in the Media

Maritime Academy of Toledo embraces COVID challenges
WTOL 11
By Kayla Molander
Maritime Academy of Toledo embraces COVID challenges (13abc.com)
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The Maritime Academy of Toledo is delaying their start date for the fall. But it’s only so they have time to prepare all their big plans.
The Maritime Academy is finally meeting a goal they’ve been working towards for three years, and the timing could not be better.
Representatives say that they wanted a one-to-one school, meaning one computer for every student, by this school year. And last Monday, a shipment of 120 laptops made that a reality.
Now the school is working to make its curriculum accessible remotely by having teachers undergo extensive training about distance teaching. The superintendent is also considering bringing in a few full-time subs to help with keeping class sizes small.
The school is also going to be giving families more options than ever before. The academy is offering three options for families to return to school.
The first has in-person classes four days a week, with Wednesday as a cleaning day. That will include standard safety practices like masks and social distancing.
Families can also build their own custom hybrid schedule and the school will work with them.
That’s not all. The academy also has a full-remote option. As a charter school, they can provide that remote curriculum to any student in the entire state of Ohio. This opens up the academy’s unique technical, environmental science, and culinary classes to a larger audience than ever before.
As many of their classes are tough to teach at a distance, the school is working to figure it all out with advanced training and technological advances.
“Last year we were kind of thrown into this and now that we’ve had the summer and we’ve pushed our start date to September 8, that has given us a lot of time to put the safety procedures in place as well as train our teachers very well using a format that will help our students be successful,” says principal Amy Hineline.

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The Maritime Academy in the Media

Maritime Academy of Toledo receives $25K donation to develop Welding Training Center
NBC 24 Staff 6/15/2021
NBC 24 Staff 6/15/
© Provided by WNWO Toledo
The Maritime Academy of Toledo is expanding its trade-related education programs.
Wednesday, the academy's board of directors Chairman Bill Davis and his wife Pamela contributed $25,000 to help the institution begin developing a Maritime Welding Training Center.
This addition will be a specialized facility that solely houses hands-on welding program activities, hoping to eventually partner with Owen's Community College to provide credit for college welding courses.
Welding supplies available at the onset will include four Rebel MIG and ARC welders. to train the students with basic welding skills.
The academy aims to open more such centers in the future for programs like plumbing, electrical and carpentry services.

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The Maritime Academy of Toledo
The Maritime Academy of Toledo is a tuition-free community school established under Chapter 3314 of the Ohio Revised Code. The school is a public school and students enrolled in and attending the school are required to take all state assessments as prescribed by law. In addition, there may be other requirements for students at the school that are prescribed by law.

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Our Vision It is our vision at the Maritime Academy of Toledo to shape future leaders by developing strong character and innovative minds.
Our Mission: It is our mission at the Maritime Academy of Toledo to provide students with rigorous academic pathways, towards college and career, with a personalized learning experience.

The Maritime Academy of Toledo
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