Founded in 1966, City Springs School #8 has a long history of serving East Baltimore families. The school began partnering with the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) in 1996 and became a charter school under BCP’s operation in 2005.
Today, City Springs School (Pre-K through 8th) 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.
Beyond academics, City Springs partners closely with families and local organizations to provide holistic support, enrichment programs, and restorative practices, ensuring students feel seen, valued, and empowered.
City Springs sits at the heart of the Perkins Somerset Oldtown (PSO) Transformation Initiative, one of Baltimore’s largest neighborhood redevelopment efforts. The initiative, which includes the redevelopment of Perkins Homes, Somerset Homes, and Oldtown, is transforming the area into a mixed-income, sustainable community while honoring its rich history. Originally developed in the mid-20th century, the Perkins Homes and surrounding neighborhoods have long been home to generations of East Baltimore families. The PSO plan includes new housing, parks, renovated recreation centers, and improved infrastructure, strengthening the neighborhood and its community assets.
To support modern learning and community engagement, a new state-of-the-art school building will be constructed directly across Caroline Street from the current school, scheduled to open for the 2027–2028 academic year. The building will feature enhanced learning environments, multipurpose spaces, and updated technology infrastructure.
Founded: 1966
BCP partnership: 1996
Charter conversion: 2005
Grades Served: Prek-8
Enrollment: ~500 students
Mascot: Eagle
School Color: Purple
Title I school serving students from underserved communities
21st Century School Building (coming in 2028)
High-quality teachers, including Maryland Teacher of the Year (2020)
Focus on restorative practices and positive school climate
Afterschool program, athletics & clubs offered
Strong community school partnership with Elev8 Baltimore.
City Springs Elementary/Middle converted to a neighborhood charter school in 2005. During its last renewal in 2025, the Board of School Commissioners approved to renew City Springs’ charter for five years. The current contract runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2030.
To learn more about the charter renewal process or view decisions for other schools, visit the City Schools Annual Review of Schools.