Students

Registering for high school means choosing the school that's right for you. Your Choice is Your Voice, Your Future, and Your Way Forward.

 

Choice Process

The kickoff for this year’s High School Choice process begins with the Annual School Choice Fair, scheduled to take place at the Baltimore Convention Center on December 13, 2025. Logistics are being finalized and will be available for release soon.

Using the Student Enrollment Management System (SEMS), 5th-grade families will be able to complete and submit their Choice applications between December 1st and January 23rd. 

Please refer to the full application timeline and steps outlined on our School Choice webpage.

Registering for High School

  • Browse and compare schools that may be a good fit for your child and family.

  • Complete the registration form for your selected school, which is available online and accessible via computer, tablet, or mobile device.

  • Await communication from a school/district enrollment official

  • Charter schools: Please get in touch with the school directly to inquire about their registration process. (Note that the application deadline for most charter schools is Monday, February 2nd.)

  • Technology Access: If you are unable to complete the online registration process, please visit the Office of Enrollment, Choice & Transfers (200 East North Avenue, Room 106, Baltimore, MD 21202) for assistance.

  • For additional support or questions, please contact the school’s enrollment official directly at the school's telephone number or reach out to our district office team at 410-396-8600.

  • Don't live in Baltimore City?

Admission Types

Choice Process - Composite Scores

Composite scores are needed for students applying to schools and programs with entrance criteria. 

Composite scores are calculated using grades and standardized test scores. The previous spring MCAP assessment scores will be used for students participating in School Choice this year.

To calculate the final overall grade average used in the composite score calculation, we will look at three factors:

  1. General overall grade point average:

    • This year's first-quarter grades. (8th grade) and

    • Last year's final grades. (7th grade)

    • Only the core subjects (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) are used in the grade calculation.

  2. English & Language Arts MCAP assessment score

  3. Math MCAP assessment score

Students who are learning English for the first time

Students who are Multilingual Learners (ML) can participate fully in the choice process.

Some schools that participate in middle or high school choice are ML sites; however, services are adjusted as necessary to ensure that all English learners can fully participate in the choice process.

For more information, contact your school counselor or choice liaison. District staff in the Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center (MESC@bcps.k12.md.us) can provide additional support to families.

Students not currently enrolled in City Schools

If you live in Baltimore City and would like to enroll in one of our high schools for next year, follow these steps:

  1. Fill out the choice application.

  2. Include the required documents.

  3. Take all the paperwork to 200 E. North Avenue, Room 106

Don't live in Baltimore City? Read this information.

What Happens in High School