MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CHOICE GUIDE - …

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

CHOICE GUIDE

FOR 2019-20

DEAR STUDENTS,

We are so excited to help you and your family learn about all your school choices for next year!

One of the things that makes City Schools unique is that students going into middle or high school, like you, get to choose where they'd like to go to school. With so many different options available, it's important that you and your family take the time to think about your interests and talents as you explore what City Schools has to offer you.

You--a young person with passions and dreams--know what you want for yourself. Think about who you are, what interests you, and what motivates you to go to school in the morning. Use this guide and our new online school comparison feature to find out what schools can offer. When you visit schools, ask questions (lots of them!) to find out if they have what you're looking for. The choice is yours--do everything you can to make the best choice for you.

Over the next few years, you'll find passions that can turn into careers. You'll use your voice to fight for issues that are important to you and challenge yourself to try new things. With the help of your family, friends, and teachers, you'll get to know yourself and find the path to a successful future. No matter what school you go to, your commitment to going to school every single day will be the most important factor in helping you accomplish your future goals. Take advantage of everything your school has to offer--clubs, sports, advanced courses--to make sure you stay focused and excited about going to school.

I can't wait to see what you accomplish next year, as you work towards high school graduation, college, and your future.

Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises

Chief Executive Officer Baltimore City Public Schools

City Schools' Blueprint for Success

Every day, students walk through the doors of our schools filled with talent, dreams, and enormous potential. It is our responsibility to make sure that all students, including you, have a world-class education that will empower you to pursue the future that calls you. To do this, we are focusing on three things:

1 Literacy across all subject areas and through reading,

writing, listening, and speaking.

2 Student Wholeness by creating supportive environments

that meet the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of all students.

3 Leadership, so that teachers, principals, and all

staff members do their part to make your school a welcoming place to learn.

To find out more about City Schools' blueprint, visit blueprint.

The choice is yours!

WWW.BALTIMORECIT / CHOICE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

COMPOSITE SCORE CALCULATIONS

SCHOOL CHOICE LIAISONS

5

HOW CHOICE WORKS

6

SCHOOL ADMISSION TYPES

7

SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING

8

MORE ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOICE

Priority Groups Siblings School Location Special Academic Programming

10

MORE ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL CHOICE

Students Now Enrolled At Middle/High Schools Opportunities For College Credit Advanced Placement Special Academic Programming

12

CAREER PREPARATION

15

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Students Who Are Not Currently Enrolled At City Schools

Students With Disabilities

18

MIDDLE SCHOOL OPTIONS AT A GLANCE

20

HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS AT A GLANCE

24

SCHOOL PROFILES Elementary/Middle Schools F 24

Middle Schools F 26 Middle/High Schools F 28

3

High Schools F 30

Baltimore City Public Schools' Notice of Nondiscrimination Baltimore City Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. For inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, please contact: Equal Opportunity Manager, Title IX Coordinator, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX Compliance | 200 E. North Avenue | Room 208 Baltimore, MD 21202 | Phone (410) 396-8542 | Fax (410) 396-2955

COMPOSITE SCORE CALCULATION

City Schools uses composite scores to place students at schools with entrance criteria schools (page 6) and in Advanced Academics for middle school (page 9). The composite score is based on students' performance during the 4th or 7th grade as well as their performance during the 1st quarter of the 5th or 8th grade--including attendance, standardized test scores, and grades. In fact, grades in the 4th or 7th grade are counted more than your performance in the 5th or 8th grade. Each entrance-criteria school uses a different calculation that reflects the school's focus. For example, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute puts more emphasis on students' math grades because the school has a strong STEM focus. It's important to note that taking honors classes or advanced programs in middle school can increase a student's composite score and make it easier to get in to some schools. If you need more information about your composite score, please speak with the choice liaison at your school.

School Choice Liaisons

School choice liaisons at elementary and middle schools are ready to help students and families with the middle and high school choice process. This includes everything from exploring schools to filling out the choice application. Check with your school or visit choice to find your choice liaison. Get answers to your questions about how to get ready for school choice and how to choose the school that's right for you.

WWW.BALTIMORECIT / CHOICE WWW.BALTIMORECIT / CHOICE

HOW CHOICE WORKS

1

Get informed about your options, including the requirements and application processes for different schools and what's special about each school. You can find out more by reading this guide or attending open houses, school tours, or shadow days (visit choice for a list of dates). You can also use the new online school comparison feature on the district website.

2

Pick five schools to enter on your choice application, ranking them from first choice to fifth. To help narrow down your top five, think about the following:

F What interests you most about school? Specific subjects? Career or technical training? Sports or other activities? Something else?

F At what type of school do you think you'd be most successful? Big or small? All boys/girls or co-ed? A school with a specific focus or with lots of options?

F How will you get to school? How long will it take you to get there? Are you sure you can be there on time every day?

F What do your family, school counselor, teachers, or friends think about the choices you are considering?

Some schools have a school-based lottery or their own specialized application instead of the choice application process (see page 6). If you're interested in one or more of these schools, contact the schools for more information and apply to them separately by the individual deadlines. Do not include them on your choice application.

3

4

Complete your choice application and submit it to your current school by Friday, January 18, 2019. Choice applications are available at elementary and middle schools, and can also be downloaded from choice.

New this year: If you have Campus Portal access, you can fill out the application online. Visit choice for more information.

If you currently don't go to a Baltimore City public school, see page 15.

Look for a letter from City Schools in early March, letting you know where you'll be going for middle or high school next year.

NEW:

SEARCH AND COMPARE SCHOOLS ONLINE! City School's new website has a brand new feature that lets you search for schools based on what's important to you--location, program offerings, and more! You can also compare schools side by side, making it easier than ever to learn about what schools have to offer and narrow down your top schools.

SUBMIT YOUR CHOICE APPLICATION ONLINE! Students can now submit their choice applications online using Campus Portal (campus). You can get your log-in information from your school.

SCHOOL CHOICE GUIDE 2019?20

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