Edinboro Early School Celebrates 30th Anniversary

As public school teacher Suellen Gerbracht approached retirement, she wasn’t ready to give up education entirely. “I wanted to work with younger children, possibly helping them to be more ready for public school,” Suellen said.

That plan started to become a reality in 1982 when she and her husband, Jon Gerbracht, purchased property at 380 Jumpers Hole Road. The land was subdivided and the stately brick structure for the school was constructed.

“We wished to open a school and not just a child care center,” said Suellen, noting that this desire required a great deal of work with the Maryland State Department of Education’s non-public school division.

Finally, in 1989, the Edinboro Early School was founded and opened its doors to young students. By the end of that year, they obtained a child care license and became a non-public school with before- and after-school care.

The Edinboro School started with a single class, followed by another the following year, then a kindergarten program, followed by a second class at each level. Several years later, a 2-year-old program was started. Today, there are seven classes covering ages 2 to 5, and before- and after-school care for students from Benfield Elementary. The Gerbrachts estimate that more than 2,000 children have passed through the Edinboro School doors since 1989.

“Many churches in Severna Park had nursery programs then and we were questioned as to whether or not we felt the community could support yet another,” Suellen explained. “We accepted the risk and proceeded. The church programs were half-day and we provided half- or full-day programs. Now we see how we have grown, and we have fewer and fewer half-day students and more and more full-day participants.”

The Edinboro teachers are four-year-degreed professionals who implement a curriculum approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Teachers measure their tenure at the school in decades, not years, and many are bilingual. Most preschool programs are at child care centers; however, only non-public schools with degreed teachers are legally permitted to be called a school.

The school’s mission is to develop the physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth of each child, beginning where they are and maximizing their individual potential”

After 30 years, Suellen said Edinboro is starting to enroll the children of former students.

“My two sons, Camden and Griffin, attended the Edinboro Early School program back in the early 2000s,” said Patrick Bathras, Severna Park High School principal. “The classroom and school environment were very nurturing and caring, and all faculty and staff were very knowledgeable and always professional. My sons enjoyed their experience there, as did I. Congratulations to Edinboro on providing a quality education to children the past 30 years. I wish them 30 more.”

The school will celebrate its 30th anniversary on October 13, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, with a bouncy house, strolling magician, face painting, games and much more. A brief ceremony will commence at 2:00pm. Current and past students, their families, faculty and staff will laugh over vintage photos and memories. The public is welcome to attend.

“I think we have been successful due to the stability of our staff, competitive tuition rates, and our focus on the whole child, not just academics, for which we keep the standard high, but social, emotional and physical development as well,” Suellen said.