Charter, Innovation and Transformation Schools

Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools of choice. They are publicly funded and open to all students, with no admission testing or screening. Each school has a charter, or performance contract, detailing its program, goals and methods of assessment.

Charter schools operate with increased autonomy in exchange for accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the authorizer that grants the charter, the parents who choose to send their children to the school and the public that funds them. Charter schools are also governed by Maryland Charter Law. This includes requirements for conducting an admissions lottery for enrollment and maintaining a waiting list.

See a list of all current City Schools charter schools, and click on a school name for contact information and school descriptions.

For students and families considering a charter school

The application process depends on the grade level at entrance. For grades K–8 and 10–12, charter schools accept applications and conduct random lotteries if the number of applications exceeds the number of available spaces. Families should consider applying for all schools that interest them so that they have multiple opportunities to be selected in a lottery. The deadline for student applications for charter school attendance for the 2012-13 school year is February 17, 2012. Visit each school's website to obtain application information and forms.

(Note that schools may accept applications after the February 17 deadline, and students may be accepted if the school has space available. Contact your schools of interest for information.)

For all students entering 9th grade, Baltimore City Public Schools offers school choice. Rising 9th graders receive detailed information about their high school options—including charter, innovation, transformation and other school types—and decide on the schools they most wish to attend.

For educators and community members interested in opening a charter school

Current Charter, Innovation, Transformation, New Schools Initiative Schools, and Contract Schools (Grade levels are for the 2011-2012 school year)

If you have specific questions about a school, you will get the best information by contacting the school directly. If you are currently in a charter, innovation, transformation, new schools initiative, or contract school and you have a question or concern, please contact the Parent Command Center at 443-984-2000 and they will connect you with the most appropriate office.

Innovation High Schools

Baltimore City Schools led a reform effort in 2001 to redesign, transform, and revitalize Baltimore’s neighborhood high schools. This reform created six new small, independent schools. Two of the six created schools converted to charter schools.  Two more converted to transformation schools. Each Innovation High School is operated by a non-profit governing board with the authority to oversee the implementation of the school’s approved model. Innovation High Schools have no entrance criteria and admit students through a lottery.

How do I apply to attend an innovation high school?

9th grade process: Baltimore City Schools conducts a High School Choice process each fall where 8th grade students rank the high schools they would like to attend. There is an annual High School Fair that showcases all of the options for rising 9th graders. All high schools, including charter, innovation, and transformation schools, utilize this process for their 9th grade students.

10th-12th grade process: Contact each school you are interested in attending to see if the school has available seats.

Click here to see a list of all Innovation Schools

Transformation Schools

Transformation Schools are a direct response to changing secondary education in Baltimore. Six Transformation schools opened in 2008. The schools will serve grades 6 through 12 and will be operated by experienced, independent education entities. Each school will have a specific theme and a unique curriculum and will either focus on college, career, or alternative programming. Transformation Schools have no entrance criteria and admit students through a lottery.

How do I apply to attend a transformation school?

Please refer to the middle and high school choice process for information about how to apply to transformation schools.

Click here to see a list of all Transformation Schools

New School Initiative Schools

Before charter law was passed by the Maryland State Legislature, Baltimore City embarked on an innovative program to open small schools that would have autonomy in hiring, instructional focus and practice, and in finance with an increased level of accountability. While a majority of the schools started under this initiative have converted to charter status, there are still two schools that continue under the umbrella of the new schools initiative.

How do I apply to attend a new school initiative school?

Please refer to the middle and high school choice process for information about how to apply to The Stadium School.

Please contact New Song Academy for admission procedures.

Click here to see a list of all New School Initiative Schools

Contract Schools

How do I apply to attend a contract school?

Edison Schools currently manages one of our schools. This school has a zone associated with it so if you are interested in attending, please contact the school directly.

East Baltimore Community School is a project of East Baltimore Development Inc. They will also utilize a lottery process although preference can go to families that live in the East Baltimore Development Inc., footprint. Please contact the school directly for more information.

Click here to see a list of all Contract Schools