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Middleton Elementary School Building

History

Arthur J. Middleton Photograph

Once called the "outstanding genius of his time" by representatives from the Mercedes-Benz company, Arthur Middleton invented a number of different engines and machines that helped propel the United States into the 20th century. Arthur Middleton was born Sept. 20, 1862, in Charles County, Md. After attending school, he moved to Baltimore where he worked as an apprentice for Detrich & Harvey Machine Company and met Charles White, his future business partner.

With the idea of building a better gas engine, Middleton and White opened their own firm in Baltimore. They were granted patents for a number of their inventions, including a gas engine and an explosive engine, which is essentially a fuel injection pump that is now used on most modern automobile engines.

In 1898 the Argonaut became the first submarine to navigate the sea for more than 2,000 miles as it sailed from Norfolk to New York. The Argonaut was powered by a White & Middleton engine. The White & Middleton Company was so successful that the business expanded and opened a distribution company in Chicago. White & Middleton was later sold to Richard Thomas.

In 1914, Middleton moved back to Charles County, where he bought an acre of land near Piney Church to be used as a school site. A one-room schoolhouse was built on the site, and in 1974 Arthur Middleton Elementary School was dedicated in his honor. Arthur Middleton died on April 22, 1933.

Source: Bores & Strokes: Arthur R. Middleton - A Legacy of Engineering Genius (Vol. 11, No. 1, 2000). Photograph reprinted through the courtesy of Coolspring Power Museum.

Mission

It is the mission of Arthur Middleton to educate the whole child and develop lifelong learners to equip students for future careers and positive contributions to the community.

Vision

It is the vision of Arthur Middleton Elementary School to develop students to be lifelong learners in a variety of capacities.  Our school will provide for the academic, social, and behavioral well-being of students while collaborating with parents and the community in the shared responsibility of educating students.  We will foster a positive and engaging environment where students can take risks to grow and develop as productive, responsible citizens.

Beliefs

  • With appropriate support and nurturing, all students can learn.
  • The responsibility for education is a shared responsibility inclusive of student, parent, and school with all accountable for results.
  • The school environment should be safe, clean, engaging, accepting, and fun.
  • Respect, responsibility and kindness are a requirement of all, at all times.