Welcome to Patuxent Valley Middle School
Patuxent Valley Middle School, Home of the Bulldogs, is a place where we put the “First Things First” and focus on relationships, learning and structure. None of these are more important than any of the others but we say that we always enter every situation through our relationships.
PVMS staff are committed to students’ academic and social emotional growth while building relationships grounded in mutual respect. Active community relationships and parent engagement strengthen the overall middle school experience for our students and Patuxent Valley values the collaborative nature of our community.
Students at Patuxent Valley Middle School are challenged by rigorous academic standards and supported by a variety of programs including GT instructional seminars, full-year Art and technology courses, Dance and Theater classes, World Language classes and our exceptional music programs that include Band, Orchestra and Chorus.
To ensure a full educational experience, Our staff provide a number of extracurricular activities during our “8th period” including: academic support, various sports, Lavender Leaders (GSA), Hispanic Heritage Club, Sign Language, Student Council, Jazz Band, National Junior Honor Society, STEM Afterschool Club, Yearbook and many others.
The Patuxent Valley PTSA is supportive and passionate about serving all students. Our partnerships with community organizations and businesses like the Howard County Library System, the NSA and many other groups are evidence of our commitment to both connections with our community and showing young people the opportunities that are available in our local area.
We truly believe that we are building future leaders, and we know we could not do that without the support of our community.
2025-2026 Middle School Course Catalog
Special Programs
8th Period After School Program, Academic Enrichment
- African American History Seminar
- Art Club
- Asian Culture & Anime Club
- Book Club
- BSAP (Black Student Achievement Program)
- Documentary Film
- Dungeons and Dragons
- GT Seminars
- HBCU Club
- Hispanic Student Achievement Program and Liaison
- Hispanic College & Career Workshop
- Hispanic Heritage Club
- International Family Night
- Jazz Band
- Morning News Television Production
- National History Day Competition
- National Junior Honor Society
- Our Voice Magazine creative writing submissions
- College and Career Fair
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), PVMS Bulldog B.A.R.K. Incentive Program,
- Red Ribbon Week
- Reading Comprehension and Math Support
- Sign Language Club
- Spelling Bee
- Student Council
- Student Service Learning
- Yearbook Club
For more information about the specific clubs offered after school during each 8-week season of the 8th Period program, please visit the “Get Involved” tab.
Core Values
- Success
- Tenacity
- Respect
- Ownership
- Nobility
- Growth
Meet our Administration Team
Richard Smart
School Principal| Richard_Smart@hcpss.org|
Sometimes you get exactly what you wanted and asked for! That was my response when I heard I was coming to Patuxent Valley as Principal in June 2023. I am thrilled to be returning to middle school as I began my career in 2000 as a middle school history teacher in my hometown of Birmingham, UK. I have also served in Howard County as a social studies teacher at Oakland Mills High until 2014, and then a Leadership Intern and Assistant Principal in Howard County, serving Reservoir, Long Reach, Oakland Mills High, and the HCPSS Summer School. I am also a Howard County community member and have lived in HoCo since 2003. My core beliefs are Integrity, Dignity and Empowerment and I will lead Patuxent Valley by putting relationships and people at the center of our decisions. #BulldogStrong: Putting the First Things First!
Carol Ketterman
Assistant Principal |Grades 6–8 (A–K) | Carol_Ketterman@hcpss.org|
I am thrilled to continue serving as a member of the Patuxent Valley Middle School community. During my twenty-three years in education, I have served as an elementary and middle school teacher, special education team leader, and assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels. It is a true honor to work alongside the dedicated PVMS staff, outstanding students, and supportive families who make this community so special. I look forward to another exciting year of learning, collaboration, and celebration at PVMS!
LaVerne Porter
Assistant Principal | 6-8 grade (M-Z) | LaVerne_Porter@hcpss.org|
Instructional Team Leaders
Scott Howe |6 Grade Team Leader |
Kelly Rende |7 Grade Team Leader |
Megan Aucoin Cassedy |8th Grade Team Leader |
Lindsay Kolesar |Special Education Team Leader |
Michelle Langan |Science Team Leader|
Jill Meyer |Related Arts Team Leader |
Stacey Petry |Math Team Leader|
Kelly Green |English Team Leader |
Timothy Williamson |Social Studies Team Leader |
Cluster 3 Board of Education Representative
Howard County public schools are divided into school clusters, which are assigned to individual Board members to facilitate school visitations, attend special events, and provide a point of contact for each school community. View all BOE school cluster assignments.
Patuxent Valley Middle School BOE Representative: Jolene Mosley