Ruppersberger Helps Break Ground on New Elementary & Middle School in Baltimore

Congressman Returns to Alma Mater for Major Renovation and Expansion

(Baltimore, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today joined Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Andres Alonso and other Maryland and Baltimore leaders in breaking ground on the new Leith Walk Elementary and Middle School in Baltimore City. The $41 million project will renovate the existing elementary school building and create a new middle school. Congressman Ruppersberger is an alumnus of Leith Walk Elementary.

The community has long wanted the school to expand to a prek-8 school. Built in 1954, the existing building is in need of major modernization. There are also seven portable classrooms on the site to accommodate overcrowding. Over the years, classes have been held in every possible space in the school building, including the library and former health suite. Leith Walk is one of the highest performing schools in the city system.

“Returning to Leith Walk always brings back great memories of growing up in this vibrant community, but the school is overcrowded and needs some serious updates,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “As some of the best in the city, the students at Leith Walk deserve better. I am proud to help break ground on this new project. In addition to creating construction jobs, this expansion invests in tomorrow’s workforce while providing today’s students with the facility they need to thrive.”

The project includes a 70,000-square foot renovation and 109,000-square foot addition, which will be the new middle school.

As part of today’s groundbreaking, a tree was planted in honor of Jaeden Dulin, a first-grader at Leith Walk who was killed in a fatal car accident on May 30, 2010. According to Jaeden’s teacher, Jaeden loved people and his school. His score on the Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10) was a 97 percent.