Mary Ann Winterling Elementary/Middle School (Mary Ann Winterling), Baltimore Montessori Charter School (Baltimore Montessori) and Green Street Academy (Green Street) have been awarded grants through Amtrak’s Community Investment Program (CIP). Designed to mitigate community impacts over the 10-year construction period, the initiative directs resources straight into neighborhoods surrounding the corridor.
Baltimore Montessori was awarded a $584,770 grant to overhaul its athletic playing field, repave outdoor recreational spaces, and broaden afterschool programming for both students and surrounding neighborhood families.
“This investment is about more than improving our facilities; it is about expanding what is possible for our children,” said Lucas Oliveira, principal at Baltimore Montessori. “These projects could easily have remained goals for ‘someday.’ Through this partnership, Amtrak has helped us turn ‘someday’ into ‘this year.’ We are deeply grateful for their investment in Baltimore Montessori and in the children, families, and community we serve.”
Green Street will utilize their grant to launch a workforce initiative bridging classroom education with career readiness. The program connects students and residents directly to high-demand technical pathways in transportation infrastructure, skilled trades, and construction design management.
“We are Charged Up and grateful to receive this investment in Green Street Academy and the West Baltimore community,” Dr. Denisha Logan, Executive Director, Green Street. "We believe preparing young people for life after graduation means giving them access to real opportunities, college credits, industry-recognized credentials, internships, apprenticeships, and pathways to meaningful careers. This grant allows us to expand our Career Connected Continuum through the C4 Workforce Initiative, reaching not only our scholars, but also our alumni, families, and community members. It is an investment in people, opportunity, and the economic future of West Baltimore, and we are proud to continue building that future together.”
Also, Mary Ann Winterling’s gym will be updated thanks to a grant awarded to the Bentalou Recreation Council. Their grant will provide crucial facility and athletic improvements at Mary Ann Winterling's gymnasium as well as add new basketball hoops to support youth programming.
“The Amtrak Community Investment Program represents more than funding—it represents a true investment in the Mary Ann Winterling and Bentalou community,” Kimberly Hill, principal at Mary Ann Winterling. “We are especially excited that our longtime partner, the Bentalou Recreation Council, was awarded $44,000 to support restoration projects in our school gym. Our partnership with Bentalou goes far beyond traditional after-school programming; we share our space, resources, staff, and most importantly, a commitment to the same children and families. Under the leadership of Mr. Paul Franklin, ‘Coach Paul,’ the Recreation Council continues a legacy of providing meaningful after-school and summer opportunities for our students. Amtrak’s investment will help us strengthen the spaces where our children learn, play, grow, and build relationships beyond the school day. We are incredibly grateful to Amtrak for recognizing the power of strong schools, strong recreation programs, and strong community partnerships working together for our children.”
In addition, two programs that directly benefit City Schools students were awarded grants: the Higher Achievement Program and Wide Angle Youth Media.
The Higher Achievement Program will run an after-school program at Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School, providing fourth through eighth graders with academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, mentoring, and high school readiness programming. Meanwhile, Wide Angle Youth Media will partner with Baltimore Design School to deliver an after-school program teaching students hands-on skills to produce creative media arts projects.
Together, these programs build a strong foundation to ensure City Schools students are career ready, future ready, and world ready—prepared not only to step into high-demand industries, but to lead and innovate in an interconnected global society.