Today, Frederick Elementary School (Pre-K through 5th) proudly serves students living within its surrounding neighborhood enrollment zone. Children residing in the zone may enroll at any time without participating in a lottery. Families living outside the zone are also welcome to apply; if no seats are available, students may be placed on a waitlist or considered through an upcoming lottery.
FREDERICK ELEMENTARY
About Frederick Elementary
Frederick Elementary School #260, established in 1983, has been a cornerstone of the West Baltimore community. In 2016, as part of Baltimore City Public Schools’ 21st Century School Building Plan, Frederick Elementary merged with Samuel F.B. Morse Elementary School. Concurrently, the school transitioned to a charter model under the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP), officially becoming a BCP-operated charter school in 2017.
A Neighborhood School
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, West Baltimore developed as a hub for industry and working-class residential neighborhoods, attracting immigrants and laborers seeking employment in factories, breweries, and shipping. Streetcar lines and major roads facilitated suburban-style residential growth, creating tight-knit communities. By the mid-20th century, many West Baltimore neighborhoods experienced demographic change, with African American families moving in during the Great Migration, while many earlier immigrant populations relocated elsewhere. T
Frederick Elementary School was established in 1983 to address the growing educational needs of West Baltimore neighborhoods and was part of a broader effort by Baltimore City Public Schools to expand access to quality education in underserved areas.
Since its opening, Frederick Elementary has been a cornerstone of education in West Baltimore, evolving over the years to meet the changing needs of its students and the community. In 2016, as part of Baltimore City Public Schools’ 21st Century School Building Plan, Frederick Elementary merged with Samuel F.B. Morse Elementary School. The school then transitioned to a charter model operated by the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) and moved into a newly renovated facility in 2017, continuing its mission to provide a high-quality learning environment for students.
School Snapshot
Founded: 1983
Charter conversion: 2017
Grades Served: PreK-5
Enrollment: ~300 students
School Symbols: Adinkra symbols from Ghana- Nyansapo (Wisdom), Adinkrahene (Leadership), and Mpatapo (Community)
School Colors: Orange, Blue, and Green
Title I School serving students from underserved communities
21st Century School Building (2016)
Focus on restorative practices and positive school culture
Afterschool Program
Strong community school partnerships with Bon Secours Community Work
Charter Status
Frederick Elementary School became a neighborhood charter school in 2017 under the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP). In 2024, the Board of School Commissioners approved a three-year charter renewal, ensuring continued BCP operation from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
To learn about this decision or decisions for other schools, please visit the City Schools Annual Review of Schools.
