The history of charter schools in Baltimore City is part of a broader narrative about school choice and equitable access to education. In the early 2000s, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) implemented a high school choice program, allowing incoming ninth graders and their families to select the city high school they wished to attend. This program was later expanded to include middle schools in 2010. The fundamental idea behind school choice is that a student’s geographic location should not dictate their educational opportunities.
Similarly, charter schools were established to provide an alternative to traditional public schools, often with a specialized focus. While charter schools are public schools, they have more flexibility in their operations but must demonstrate good academic results.
Our Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) network of six charter schools are neighborhood conversion charter schools, each a public school that we manage in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools). Baltimore City today has 31 public charter schools, which are free and open to the public, with BCP being Maryland’s oldest and largest operator of charter schools.
Early Development of Charter Schools in Baltimore City
The city’s charter school movement has changed over time due to local, state, and national education policies. Maryland passed its first law allowing charter schools in 2003. Before this, charter schools were not part of the state’s education system, and the idea was fairly new in the area.
This law laid the foundation for charter schools in the state, giving charter schools more control over how they are run, what they teach, and who they hire compared to traditional public schools, although all teaching and administrative staff must be fully certified and are subject to all collective bargaining agreements. The law also required charter schools to meet specific performance goals to ensure accountability.
BCP had been working in many Baltimore City Public Schools since 1996, introducing the Direct Instruction curriculum to City Schools. Soon after the charter law was passed, conversion charter schools emerged, and we began operating the city’s first conversion charter schools in 2005: Hampstead Hill Academy and City Springs Elementary/Middle School, which we still manage today.
Conversion charter schools are different from start-up charter schools, which are new schools created as charter schools from the beginning. Conversion charter schools usually come from district-run public schools that are not performing well or need major improvements. This change gives the school more flexibility in areas like teaching methods, staffing, staff development, and governance, while keeping it part of the public school system and maintaining its enrollment zone. If there is space in the school, students outside of the zone may apply via lottery.
Each BCP school is a conversion charter school. We provide the programming and oversight to address student achievement, teacher and principal support, and community needs through our community school model.
Growth and Expansion of Charter Schools
As the charter school movement flourished in Baltimore City in the 2000s, the number of charter schools grew quickly. By 2010, there were over 30 charter schools serving thousands of students. Most of these were small, specialized start-up charters, rather than conversions from traditional public schools.
With the rise in charter schools, some challenges and criticisms arose. To address these concerns, City Schools and Maryland lawmakers increased accountability measures for charter schools, including stricter renewal processes, standardized testing, and performance evaluations.
We take accountability very seriously. The BCP Board of Directors oversees our network of schools, while our Principals have oversight for their own budget and programming. Each of our schools uses Direct Instruction and has a robust program for Restorative Practices, which City Springs pioneered in 2007. Today, this program is used to guide positive problem-solving and respectful communication and collaboration across the public school system in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Charter Renewal Process
To understand how charter schools grow and flourish, you need to understand the charter school approval process. Upon approval, the charter school signs an agreement (charter) with City Schools describing the school’s mission, educational program, governance, performance expectations, and funding. The renewal process is designed to be thorough and ensure that charter schools in Baltimore City provide high-quality education and meet students’ needs while keeping to the promises in their original charters.
Charter schools usually receive an initial five-year charter. After that, the school’s performance is reviewed to see if it can keep operating as a charter. The Board of Commissioners decide to renew or not renew a school’s charter.
A full renewal lasts five years, a partial renewal lasts three years. In 2019, the school board added an eight-year contract option for charter schools that have previously proven successful. BCP’s Wolfe Street Academy was the first to receive an eight-year charter, followed by Hampstead Hill in 2022.
Charter renewals are not automatic. Schools must show they meet the goals in their charters and provide quality education through a performance review. The review looks at several important areas:
- Academic Performance – how well students do on state tests?
- Financial Health – how well does the school and operator manage its budget?
- Compliance with Laws – how well does it follow state and federal laws, including non-discrimination and special education requirements?
- School Culture – what is the quality of the school environment, including safety and student engagement?
About twelve to eighteen months before a charter expires, the renewal process begins. The first step happens in the spring before the last year of the contract. This step is a School Effectiveness Review (SER), which lasts three days and involves evaluating the school through focus groups, classroom visits, and documents.
During the summer before the final contract year, the school and its operator receive data tables from the district. They must also submit a renewal application to City Schools. This application should explain how the school has met its charter requirements, address any previous issues, and show proof of progress and improvement using the data from the district.
In early fall, City Schools staff review the renewal application with help from an advisory committee. This committee then makes recommendations about whether to renew the charter to the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. The CEO presents these recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Once the CEO’s recommendations are public, charter schools can hold a work session with the Board. During this session, they can support or challenge the recommendations, and the Board can ask questions.
Finally, the City Schools Board of Commissioners decides whether to renew the charter or not. These meetings are open to the public. If the charter is renewed, the school can operate for another three, five, or eight years, depending on the renewal terms. If it is not renewed, the school may close or change management, depending on the situation. If a charter school disagrees with the decision not to renew, it can appeal to the Maryland State Board of Education.
Recent Renewals for BCP Charter Schools
On January 14, 2025, the Baltimore City School Board of Commissioners convened to vote on the annual portfolio review of schools, which includes charter renewals. Eighteen charter schools were undergoing the renewal process for the 2024-25 school year. We are thrilled to announce that the three BCP schools up for renewal—City Springs Elementary/Middle, Frederick Elementary, and Govans Elementary—were all granted renewals.
The BCP community is excited about the renewed opportunities for these schools and the continued trust and partnership City Schools has with us. Our work doesn’t stop after a renewal is granted; in fact, our efforts will become even more focused as we continue to strive for academic excellence for all students.
