72 Students Experiencing Homelessness Graduate from Summer Academy

FREDERICK, Md., July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, July 24, 72 students experiencing homelessness were recognized for completion of the New Horizons Academy at Governor Thomas Johnson High School (GTJHS). The program is run by the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County in partnership with Frederick County Public Schools.

"I am so proud of these students and their dedication to reaching graduation. Every year I am inspired by the number of teenagers living in such difficult circumstances who choose to spend their summer in school with us. Every young person who completed this year's summer program is walking away one credit closer to completing high school, a few life skills closer to achieving financial independence, and $4,000 closer to a college education. To see a 100% successful completion rate for more than 70 students is a true testament to the value of this partnership between SHIP and Frederick County Public Schools." – Melissa Muntz, Executive Director, SHIP of Frederick County.

The New Horizons Academy is a five-week program that provides an opportunity for youth experiencing housing instability to receive academic and life skills instruction. Students receive credit for courses required to graduate and are awarded a $600 stipend for completing the program, eliminating the need to choose between working and attending summer school. All students graduating from the program also receive a $4,000 scholarship to Hood College. This scholarship is granted to them each year they attend the New Horizons Summer Academy. The program is open to all students experiencing homelessness attending Frederick County Public High School in the fall of 2025.  

According to the US Department of Education, there are over 1.5 million public school students nationwide who experience homelessness each year. As of July 2025, there were over 1,000 youth experiencing homelessness enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools. SHIP works to improve the lives of Frederick County's most vulnerable youth who are experiencing homelessness, helping them to achieve stability before entering adulthood. Those who do not graduate from high school are 3.5 times more likely to experience homelessness as adults. Providing students with the tools and resources needed to reach high school graduation is key to ending adult homelessness in the Frederick community. 

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SOURCE SHIP of Frederick County