In just a few days, students will stream into Bowie's nine elementary and two middle schools for another year of learning and growth. They may not be thrilled abou the prospect – it is, after all, the end of summer – but their parents can be glad to know that the schools are doing well. Recently released results show that all of Bowie's elementary and middle schools met Maryland's requirements for the Adequate Yearly Progress designation. The state sets objectives each year for the number of students who make gains in math and reading, and each year requires progress. If a school fails for only one category of students, the school does not receive the AYP designation. If it fails for two years, the school is place in the School Improvement program, and if it still does not improve, the state can take over the school and replace the staff. For Bowie schools, the system-wide passing grade was good news all around. At Yorktown Elementary, it was particularly heartening since the school did not make AYP last year. Vice Principal Emma Forte attributes the school's improvement to the curriculum, which is art-centric, and the support of the staff. Over at High Bridge, Principal Chuck Eller was also pleased. High Bridge serves a large population of special education students and has had to appeal its status in recent years, so passing the AYP was a great accomplishment this year. Bowie parents are busy buying new backpacks and loading up on school supplies, and looking forward to the day children go back to school. Now they can also look forward to a solid year of learning and progress. | 
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