2. Baltimore City Public Schools offers students and families a wide range of school options. Students, with the help of family, teachers and neighbors, choose the middle and high schools they attend.

3. There are schools that focus on the arts…

4. … health and biosciences

5. … STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)

6. …community, leadership and social justice

7. …career preparation in construction, culinary arts, electronics … and more

8. …single-gender schools, combined middle-high schools, schools with advanced academic programs and programs for students who need to make up credits …schools with nationally recognized bands and choirs…with chess, debate, football and robotics champions

9. Every one of City Schools’ 84,000 students is unique. Baltimore City Public Schools is a district of unique programs designed to meet all students’ interests and needs.

10. City Schools is committed to making sure students have the programs and support they need to succeed in school. Giving schools the flexibility to act in the best interest of their students Guiding and supporting schools, which are responsible for student achievement Constantly reviewing the performance of all schools to determine how they can better meet students’ needs Providing excellent school options for students Allowing students to choose the right schools for them It does this by:

11. Having school options and the ability to choose your school matters. “Choice gives you enough time to improve your life, to have your life mapped out before you even get there.” - Marquise Hayes, Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy - West “I’m really glad I could choose my school. It feels like home almost.” - Nicholas Mantegna, City Neighbors High School “Having a choice was a very good thing.” - Margaret Mejia, Western High School

12. “My advice…is to choose a school that fits your background, interests and future goals. If you’re good at math and science and want to work in those fields, then go to a math and science school. If you’re good at the arts, go to a school for the arts. These decisions will affect your college and career choices down the road.” “My main goal as a father was to find a middle school that challenges and supports my son, Joshua. We asked the school we ended up choosing a lot of questions about the support systems they offer, and we’re starting to do the same thing now as we get ready to find the right high school. A child’s education is his or her foundation for life. This is a big decision that should be taken seriously.” -Daniel Diggins, Joshua’s father -Joshua Diggins, 8 th -grade student at Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School

13. The school choice process will be starting soon for next year (2016-17) Current 5 th -grade and 8 th - grade students are choosing their middle and high schools for next year.

14. Learn about the more than 60 schools participating in the school choice process this year. Read the school profiles in Choose Your School, City Schools’ middle and high school choice guide for 2016-17, which will be available at your school.

15. Learn which schools are possible options for your students. Know when schools’ open houses are happening Use the school choice online tool and visit schools’ websites (www.baltimorecityschools.org/choice) Know what schools have entrance criteria (academic requirements, auditions, etc.) – and whether your students meet them Students should talk to family members, friends, teachers, school counselors and choice liaisons Know where the school is located and how to get there Know where the school is located and how to get there

16. A few things students should consider while weighing their options: Some charter schools have their own application processes and deadlines – see City Schools’ choice guide or the choice pages at www.baltimorecityschools.org/choice for more information. Students in a k-8 school, you can stay there for middle school. City Schools tries to place middle school students with siblings and near where they live.

17. School Choice Timeline November, December and January – Schools hold open houses and shadow days Early December – the Middle and High School Choice Guide and applications are available through schools and online Saturday, January 9 – School Choice Fair held at the Poly/Western campus. Middle schools are featured in the morning, high schools in the afternoon Friday, January 22 – Central applications due Friday, February 12 – Charter applications due Early March – Acceptance decisions mailed to families

18. Contact our office for more information: Baltimore City Public Schools Office of Enrollment, Choice and Transfers 200 East North Avenue Room 106 Baltimore, MD 21202 443-984-2000 www.schoolchoice.baltimorecityschools.org

19. Trivia Wallace, parent with children at The Baltimore Civitas School, Edmondson-Westside High School, National Academy Foundation School and Dr. Bernard Harris, Sr., Elementary School School choice has been great for my family. My five children have five different personalities, and what works for one might not work for another. That’s why I’ve opted to send them to four different schools. I’ve helped all of my children learn about the options available, but I’ve ultimately let them decide. I encourage other families to involve their child as much as possible in the choice process — and to take heed of the choices their child makes.”