Civics and Citizenship Junior
After more than 15 years of leading our Civics and Citizenship programs at the high school level, we were excited to translate it for a younger audience! Our pilot middle school program took place during the 2021-22 school year in Baltimore County, and we are planning to expand the program to serve middle schoolers across the Washington-Baltimore area.
Civics and Citizenship Junior covers the same themes as Civics and Citizenship, but through the lens of personal growth and the development of life skills. The goal of C&C Junior is to help youth develop skills and attitudes that will serve them throughout their lives. By starting our work with immigrant youth before they reach high school, we have the opportunity to educate and prepare them for obstacles that they will face and for decisions they will make that will determine their futures.
Over the course of the school year, C&C Junior will host sessions covering three key areas: civic engagement, career awareness, and high school preparedness, with an all-encompassing vision of building confidence and a go-getter attitude. The program is taught bilingually in English and Spanish to ensure that our youth fully grasp the information being shared and feel capable of both asking and answering questions. Surrounded by a community of immigrant peers, these students will build self-awareness and confidence, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Program Updates
The end of the spring 2026 semester was the culmination of a civic, academic and cultural journey for the Baltimore County middle schools. The students at Holabird and Lansdowne Middle Schools finished their assignment from the Baltimore Orioles—to draw a headshot of an active Baltimore Orioles player for the chance to have it presented on the scoreboard at Camden Yards. At Lansdowne Middle School, the students participated in a multicultural event, where they tried typical food from various countries such as India and El Salvador. They also participated in artistic activities such as drawing flags for countries or playing instruments that are associated with salsa music. Students commented that they had a wider understanding of the world but most of all that this even made them feel more secure about their immigrant backgrounds. We wrapped up with time management and study skill lessons before celebrating a successful academic year and the acknowledgement of the eight graders who are embarking on larger but more significant challenges in the coming fall.
Lansdowne Middle School youth learning about various countries during their Multicultural Fair