Baltimore City presents three new charter/operator applications; board to hear applicant presentations May 15 and vote June 10

The Office of New Initiatives presented an informational update on three charter or operator‑led school applications during the April 22 Board meeting, laying out the application timeline and the review process the district will follow before a June 10 Board vote.

Angela Alvarez, senior executive director for the Office of New Initiatives, and Kendra Banks, the office manager, said applications were due March 6 and are being technically reviewed. Applicants will receive preliminary strengths-and-weaknesses reports the week of May 5, may present at a public Board work session on May 15, and may submit supplemental materials by May 21; the Board is scheduled to vote on June 10. Alvarez noted that the district and the charter advisory board will review applications and that the CEO will make a recommendation to the Board; an initial contract term for an approved new school would be five years.

The three applicants described were:

- Charm City Garden Montessori School (Charm City Garden Montessori, CCGMS): proposing a nature‑based Montessori high school for grades 9–12 in West Baltimore with an anticipated enrollment of about 225 students; programming centers on environmental education, problem‑based learning and Montessori principles.

- Dream Academy (proposed by Arts for Learning Maryland): a conversion application for Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle (No. 232) in the Huntington Ridge neighborhood, proposing an arts‑integrated PreK–8 school; the applicant is also requesting a school name change and proposes naming the library for Portia LaVaughn Stokes Williams.

- Juvenile Aftercare Incorporated (school name to be determined): applying as a contract school in East Baltimore to serve grades 8–12 with programming focused on continuing education, vocational training, job readiness and re‑entry supports for young people transitioning from the juvenile justice system; the applicant indicated an eventual goal of adding boarding with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) approval but does not propose boarding in year one.

Alvarez said applicants may include evidence of community support (letters, petitions) and financial information (proposed budgets and letters of commitment); the district and its advisory board evaluate academics, operations and finances and interview founding teams to assess capacity. Alvarez emphasized that applicants are advised to engage in technical assistance at least a year before applying and that all applicants that submit by the deadline proceed through the review unless they withdraw.

No Board vote was taken; the presentation was informational and scheduled follow‑up steps invite public testimony at the May 15 work session.