BALTIMORE - The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners has approved Baltimore City Public Schools’ (City Schools) operating $1.9 billion fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget, a sharply focused, bold, and strategic investment that prioritizes sustained progress and student success. With the goal of continuing a trajectory of continued academic growth, the budget is guided by the district’s Portrait of a Graduate strategic direction; grounded in FY26’s four budget priorities; a reflection of feedback from the community; and aligned with the Board’s four key goals.
Read more on our Budget webpage.
The budget sustains major programming, and includes salary increases for teachers and staff, while centering these four budget priorities:
Accelerating student achievement in Literacy and Math in grades PreK-12 through the use of high-quality instructional materials, literacy and math coaches, whole group and small group instruction, as well as personalized learning strategies to support our students’ unique learning needs.
Building College and Career Readiness through Secondary Success and Innovation to ensure students are college and career-ready through 9th Grade on Track, increased work-based learning, mentoring, shadowing opportunities, dual enrollment, AP/IP course opportunities, and apprenticeships in CTE fields.
Improving Attendance and Dropout Re-engagement through programs that promote consistent attendance, address barriers that prevent students from staying in school, and expand the impact of our Re-engagement Center, which helps disconnected youth return to school and work toward graduation.
Supporting Mental Health - Building on continued progress in supporting our students, City Schools will continue to invest in our students’ and families’ mental health and wellness, crisis response services to schools, as well as individual student home visits and wellness checks.
In addition to the four priorities outlined, City Schools is committed to developing well-rounded students across all academic disciplines. Additional investment highlights include:
$100 per student in arts funding, plus expanded instrumental music leadership;
$5.5M for new Judy Centers, supporting early learning and families;
$7.9M for summer learning, $3.7M for Extended School Year services, and targeted support for multilingual learners and students with disabilities;
Continued funding for Gifted & Advanced Learning, health education, and personalized student learning plans.
To serve our Multilingual Learners and ensure their access to high-quality instruction, culturally responsive supports, and welcoming school environments, City Schools' FY 26 budget invests $44.3 million in focused programs and services. This investment is designed to strengthen academic achievement and foster meaningful family engagement through enhanced, centrally coordinated services, including curriculum guidance and professional development; school-based staffing; Multilingual Learner School Success Liaisons, and the Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center (MESC), which provides centralized enrollment and wraparound services for newcomer families.
The budget is grounded in the Portrait of a Graduate, City Schools’ strategic plan, which outlines how the district will support and inspire its students, putting them in a position to succeed both now and in the future. Within the three key pillars of Academics, Wholeness, and Leadership, there are nine focus areas and a core set of competencies that students will acquire as they prepare for higher education, have family-sustaining careers, and achieve postsecondary aspirations.