Baltimore City School Board, 2026–27 Calendar, Enrollment & Family Guide
Baltimore City Board of Education searches normally refer to the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, the governing Board of Baltimore City Public Schools.
This guide covers Baltimore City—not Baltimore County—and helps families, students, staff and residents find Board meetings, public comment, the school calendar, enrollment, Choice, transportation, meals, records, special education, policies, complaints and current district leadership.
Baltimore City is not Baltimore County
This URL is for Baltimore City. Baltimore City Public Schools and Baltimore County Public Schools are completely separate school systems.
| Topic | Baltimore City | Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| School system | Baltimore City Public Schools | Baltimore County Public Schools |
| Governing body | Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners | Board of Education of Baltimore County |
| Central office | 200 E. North Avenue, Baltimore | Towson |
| School calendar | City Schools calendar | BCPS County calendar |
| Board records | Baltimore City BoardDocs | Separate Baltimore County BoardDocs |
A Towson address, Baltimore County calendar or County public-comment deadline should never be used for a Baltimore City student or Board meeting.
Baltimore City Public Schools quick facts
76,362 students
2025–26 total district enrollment.
159 schools & programs
Current district overview count for 2025–26.
11,661 staff
Non-temporary staff count reported as of October 15, 2025.
$1.95B FY27
Board-approved operating budget.
14.4% multilingual learners
2025–26 district demographic measure.
15.1% students with disabilities
2025–26 district demographic measure.
Central Office
200 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Main phone
How the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners is structured
Mayoral appointees
Nine Board seats are filled through mayoral appointment.
Citywide elected
Two commissioners are elected by Baltimore City voters every four years.
Student Commissioner
One student commissioner is elected by students each year.
The official Board structure is 12 seats. The current commissioners page may temporarily show fewer adult names when a seat is vacant or during membership transitions, so always use the live roster when counting current officeholders.
What the Board does
Sets vision and policy
Establishes district mission, goals and Board policy.
Hires and evaluates the CEO
The Board selected Dr. Jermaine Dawson in 2026.
Approves the budget
Reviews district spending and approves the annual operating budget.
Monitors performance
Reviews academic, operational and school-improvement outcomes.
Adopts policies
Creates policies governing students, schools, staff and operations.
Engages the public
Uses public meetings, forums, hearings and other engagement opportunities.
Seven strategic priorities
Find the next meeting without using an outdated calendar
Do not publish an unverified next-meeting date. The latest “Upcoming Board Meetings” content surfaced during this audit still ended with the August 4, 2026 special virtual meeting, which is now past. Use the live Board Meetings page and BoardDocs for the next posted meeting.
Meeting notice
Check date, time, location and whether the meeting is in person or virtual.
BoardDocs agenda
Use for agendas, attachments, policies, minutes and action items.
Recording
Captioned videos are posted through City Schools’ official Board video channels.
Different meeting types
| Meeting type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Regular Public Meeting | Board business, presentations, action items and public-comment opportunities. |
| Committee Meeting | Detailed work in areas such as policy, operations, teaching and learning, and safety/wholeness. |
| Special Meeting | Time-sensitive or limited Board business; may be virtual. |
| Board Forum | Stakeholder discussion and community engagement. |
| Closed Meeting | Legally permitted confidential Board business. |
Agenda is not final action. If an issue matters legally or financially, verify the motion, meeting record or approved minutes before saying the Board adopted it.
How to speak or submit testimony to the Board
Live-video public comment was discontinued. Current Board protocols provide in-person comment at regular public Board meetings, emailed written statements or pre-recorded video.
In person
Available for regular Public Board Meetings, but not committee meetings under the current protocol.
Written statement
Email a statement of no more than 400 words to be read aloud by Board staff.
Recorded video
Email a video no longer than three minutes for playback during the meeting.
Committee email deadlines currently published
| Committee | Published sign-up deadline |
|---|---|
| Operations | No later than 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday. |
| Policy | No later than 4:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday. |
| Teaching & Learning | No later than 3:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday. |
| Safety & Wholeness | No later than 4:00 p.m. on the second Thursday. |
Always recheck the current meeting page because committees can be rescheduled and public-comment protocols can change.
Baltimore City Board commissioners
Robert Salley
Board Chair
Ashiah Parker
Vice Chair
Emily Ames-Messinger
Commissioner
Andrew Coy
Commissioner
Ashley Esposito
Commissioner
Kwame’ Jamal Kenyatta-Bey
Commissioner
Mujahid Muhammad
Commissioner
Amber Scott Woodruff
Commissioner
Larry Simmons Jr.
Commissioner
Khalilah Slater Harrington
Commissioner
2026–27 Student Commissioner transition
The general commissioner roster checked for this guide still lists Zayra Chicas-Guzman as Student Commissioner. However, City Schools’ May 27, 2026 election announcement says Taylor Fraling-Taylor of Western High School won the 2026–27 Student Commissioner election. Use the live Board roster if you need the currently seated student member on a specific date.
Dr. Jermaine Dawson is CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools
Dr. Dawson officially began his tenure on July 1, 2026 after the Board unanimously selected him as the district’s next CEO.
Board
Governs the district, sets policy, approves major actions and evaluates the CEO.
CEO
Runs district administration and leads implementation of Board direction.
100-Day Entry Plan
The opening phase of Dr. Dawson’s administration is organized around Connect. Discover. Deliver. and includes listening to students, families, staff and community partners before shaping future district priorities.
Older leadership pages: Dr. Sonja Santelises served through June 2026, so older documents correctly contain her name but should not be used as proof of current leadership.
Important Baltimore City school dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | First day for staff. |
| August 24, 2026 | First day for students. |
| December 23, 2026–January 1, 2027 | Winter Break. |
| March 26–April 2, 2027 | Spring Break. |
| June 11, 2027 | Planned last day for students, early release, barring inclement-weather changes. |
The printable calendar includes additional holidays, observance days, early-release dates and report-card information and is available in English and Spanish.
Annual Student Verification is due September 30, 2026
Every current City Schools family needs to complete the verification each school year, even if nothing has changed.
Household
Review household and address information.
Contacts
Confirm phone, email and emergency contacts.
Health
Review relevant medical information.
Forms
Complete required annual forms.
Families complete the process through Campus Portal. Accurate contact information helps City Schools send emergency, closure and school communications.
Find a Baltimore City school and research its data
City Schools operates neighborhood, citywide, charter, specialized and other school/program options. Use the official school directory rather than a third-party list when you need current contact information.
School Directory
Find official school pages, addresses, phones and staff directories.
Digital School Data Profiles
Use district/MSDE data to understand school performance and context.
Programs
Review grade levels, programs and school-specific offerings before choosing a campus.
Do not select a school from one test score. Review achievement, programs, attendance, climate, special supports, student needs and school-specific information together.
How to enroll or address a transfer issue
Typical documents
The July 6–29, 2026 summer transfer window is closed. City Schools described it as the only regular transfer-request window for the 2026–27 school year, with central approval required for intra-district out-of-zone requests.
Current safety, placement, administrative or specialized-support situations may have separate procedures. Contact Enrollment rather than submitting an expired summer form.
Pre-K and Kindergarten
City Schools maintains separate Pre-K and Kindergarten enrollment guidance, including age requirements, early-admission procedures and community-based Pre-K options.
The standard 2026–27 Pre-K/Kindergarten SEMS application window and early-admission testing window are now closed. Families still seeking placement should use current Enrollment guidance.
Baltimore City School Choice and charter applications
Entering Grade 6
Fifth-grade students can participate in middle-school Choice where applicable.
Entering Grade 9
Eighth-grade students use the high-school Choice process.
Charter schools
Charters use their own application process and should be contacted directly.
2026–27 Choice milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | Composite scores and Choice applications became available through SEMS. |
| December 13, 2025 | Annual School Choice Fair. |
| January 23, 2026 | Choice applications due. |
| February 2, 2026 | Listed charter-school application deadline. |
Entrance-criteria programs can use composite scores based on core-subject grades plus ELA and mathematics MCAP results. Baltimore School for the Arts and Baltimore Design School also use specialized audition, portfolio or interest processes.
The normal 2026–27 Choice application period has passed. Families with a current placement question should contact Enrollment rather than attempting to submit last winter’s application.
Yellow bus, MTA and One Card eligibility
| Grade level | Basic distance rule | Typical transportation |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | More than 1 mile from neighborhood school. | Yellow bus. |
| Middle | More than 1.5 miles from neighborhood or qualifying citywide school. | MTA One Card. |
| High school | More than 1.5 miles from school. | MTA One Card. |
Additional eligibility can include
One Card basics
Charter-school students: City Schools’ transportation page says district transportation is not provided for students attending charter schools.
Breakfast and lunch are offered to all students at no cost
Breakfast
Healthy breakfast options are provided to students at no cost.
Lunch
Lunch is also offered to all students at no cost.
After-school snacks and supper programs are also available in some settings. Families can ask the school’s Community School Coordinator about food pantries, clothing, housing support and other local resources.
Every City Schools campus has a Community School Coordinator, and the district reports food pantries at many school locations.
Check immunizations before school starts
Students must meet Maryland immunization requirements to attend school, and schools maintain students’ immunization records.
Entering Grade 7
In addition to other required vaccines, students need one MCV4 dose and one Tdap dose.
Entering Kindergarten
In addition to other required vaccines, students need two doses of varicella vaccine.
Students who received MCV4 or Tdap before age 10 may need another qualifying dose. Check the current district/health-department guidance rather than relying on an old vaccination record interpretation.
Use Campus Portal for student information
Grades & progress
Review student progress and available academic information.
Annual verification
Review and update household/contact information.
District programs
Some registration and student services also use the Portal.
Account safety: start from City Schools’ official Campus Portal page before entering passwords or student information.
IEP concern? Start close to the student, then escalate correctly
School IEP team
Start here for evaluation, eligibility, services, placement, accommodations and IEP implementation.
Parent Response
Use City Schools’ Special Education Parent Response route when additional district support is needed.
Formal dispute materials
City Schools’ special-education document library includes Maryland state-complaint, mediation and due-process materials. These are different dispute procedures and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Privacy: an IEP, evaluation, disability diagnosis or medical document contains sensitive student information. Use official private channels rather than posting the complete record in public Board testimony.
Know the Code of Conduct before a suspension dispute
The City Schools Code of Conduct sets student behavior expectations, intervention levels and family/student rights during disciplinary action.
Transcript, diploma, GED and MPIA requests use different routes
| You need | Correct starting point |
|---|---|
| Current student’s record | Student’s school. |
| Official transcript | City Schools official transcript-request system. |
| Diploma copy | School the student graduated from; central office does not keep diploma copies. |
| GED record | Maryland Department of Labor. |
| Other student record | City Schools Student Records. |
| District public information | Maryland Public Information Act request to City Schools. |
| Research dataset | Published data first; research involving district data may require City Schools IRB approval. |
Protect private records. Do not send transcripts, Social Security numbers, medical files, custody orders or student IDs to unofficial “records finder” sites.
How to escalate a complaint
Teacher
For homework, grades, academics and classroom-environment concerns, start with the teacher.
Principal
Escalate unresolved classroom issues or concerns about climate, safety, facilities, staff or school budget.
District concern
Call 443-984-2000 and ask to make a complaint or express a concern. Keep the reference number.
CEO Ombudsman
If the matter has not been acknowledged/reviewed within 48 hours, contact 443-984-2020.
Further escalation
If unresolved after the Ombudsman process, some matters may be elevated to the CEO, Board and Maryland State Department of Education in that order.
Special processes exist. Bullying, discrimination, City Schools Police, staff investigations, special education and formal appeals may use separate procedures.
How Baltimore City announces snow, heat and emergency closures
Inclement-weather learning plan
First three closure days
Traditional inclement-weather days with no virtual learning.
Later closure days
The fourth through eleventh inclement-weather days are planned as virtual-learning days.
Board approved a $1.95 billion operating budget
The Board approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget on May 5, 2026.
Literacy & math coaches
Budgeted investment in instructional coaching.
Community schools
Community School Coordinators and lead-agency costs.
Extended School Year
ESY investment for students with IEPs.
Social workers & psychologists
Student climate and well-being investment.
Other FY27 priorities include high-performing schools, the school portfolio, students with diverse learning needs, and school climate/student well-being.
District budget ≠ individual school budget. Use school-level financial information when answering a question about one campus.
How Baltimore City school policy changes become final
Identify the need
The Board and district gather stakeholder feedback and identify potential policy changes.
Policy Committee review
Proposed language is presented to the Policy Committee.
Public feedback
Public comment is accepted during the policy-review process.
Board readers
Policy proceeds through Board readings and consideration before final adoption.
Verify final version
Use BoardDocs for the adopted policy and administrative regulations.
Important 2026 policy work
Proposal vs adopted policy: the policy-development page can show drafts, first readers and second readers. Do not treat every proposal on that page as final policy; check BoardDocs for the adopted text.
Students can also use City Schools’ Student Input Submission Form to share policy, leadership and school-related feedback. Submissions are reviewed and shared with the Board Office.
Jobs with Baltimore City Public Schools
City Schools recruits for school-based and district roles throughout the year. Current openings change frequently, so use the official jobs page instead of copying a vacancy list into an evergreen article.
Teaching
Elementary, secondary, special education, CTE and other instructional roles.
School leadership
Principal and administrative opportunities.
Support & operations
Transportation, maintenance, technology, central-office and professional roles.
The official jobs page also provides substitute information, benefits, international-teacher resources and current summer-employment opportunities.
Baltimore City Schools contact router
| You need | Best first stop |
|---|---|
| Next Board meeting | Board Meetings page + BoardDocs |
| Board policy | BoardDocs / Board Policies page |
| Public comment | Board Public Comment page |
| First day / breaks | 2026–27 school calendar |
| Annual verification | Campus Portal |
| New enrollment | Enrollment Office |
| Transfer after July window | Enrollment Office for current applicable route |
| School Choice | Choice page / SEMS when application period opens |
| Bus / One Card | Transportation |
| Grades / progress | Teacher / Campus Portal |
| Immunization | School / Immunization page / healthcare provider |
| IEP issue | School IEP team / Special Education Parent Response |
| Transcript | School if current student; official transcript system if alumnus |
| GED record | Maryland Department of Labor |
| Teacher/classroom complaint | Teacher, then principal |
| Unresolved district complaint | CEO Ombudsman process |
| Current job opening | City Schools Jobs |
State and nearby Maryland school-board resources
Maryland Board of Education
Use for statewide Maryland education policy and State Board matters.
Montgomery County Board of Education
Use only for Montgomery County Public Schools and its local Board.
Prince George’s County Board of Education
Use for PGCPS calendars, local Board meetings and county services.
Baltimore City Board of Education FAQs
What is the official name of the Baltimore City Board of Education?
The governing body is officially called the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. It governs Baltimore City Public Schools.
Is Baltimore City Public Schools the same as Baltimore County Public Schools?
No. They are separate school systems with different Boards, offices, calendars, enrollment systems and public-comment procedures.
Who is the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools?
Dr. Jermaine Dawson became Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools on July 1, 2026.
When does Baltimore City Public Schools start in 2026?
The first day for students in the 2026–27 school year is Monday, August 24, 2026.
How do I find the next Baltimore City School Board meeting?
Use the official Board Meetings page and Baltimore City BoardDocs. Because meetings can be added, rescheduled or made virtual, the live posting is more reliable than an old saved calendar.
How do I give public comment at a Baltimore City Board meeting?
Current regular Board meeting options include in-person comment, an emailed written statement of no more than 400 words, or an emailed video no longer than three minutes. The current protocol provides 10 public-comment opportunities and requires the Public Comment Board Meeting Agreement Form.
When is Annual Student Verification due?
City Schools asks families to complete Annual Student Verification through Campus Portal by September 30, 2026, even when their information has not changed.
Who qualifies for Baltimore City school transportation?
Elementary students generally qualify when they live more than one mile from their neighborhood school, while eligible middle and high school students generally qualify when they live more than 1.5 miles away. Additional eligibility can apply because of unsafe walking routes, an IEP, homelessness, ESOL services or a Section 504 plan.
Does Baltimore City Public Schools provide free breakfast and lunch?
Yes. City Schools states that breakfast and lunch are offered to all students at no cost.
How do I request a Baltimore City high-school transcript?
Current students should contact their school. Alumni, colleges and companies can use City Schools’ official transcript-request service. City Schools does not maintain GED diplomas or GED transcripts.
Final Baltimore City verification checklist
City, not County?
Make sure the school belongs to Baltimore City Public Schools rather than Baltimore County.
Current information?
Recheck Board meetings, public-comment deadlines, transfer rules and emergency announcements before acting.
Official route?
Use City Schools, BoardDocs, Campus Portal or the student’s school before sending private student records or account information.
Source scope checked August 17, 2026: Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners; Board structure, priorities and commissioners; Board Meetings and BoardDocs; public-comment protocols; Board policies; 2026–27 Student Commissioner election; CEO leadership and 100-Day Entry Plan; 2026–27 calendar; Annual Student Verification; City Schools at a Glance; enrollment and transfer guidance; Pre-K/Kindergarten; School Choice; transportation; Community Schools and meals; 2026–27 immunizations; Special Education contacts; Student Code of Conduct; Public Information Requests; complaints and CEO Ombudsman; emergency closures; FY27 budget; district directory and City Schools jobs.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an informational guide and is not Baltimore City Public Schools, the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, Baltimore County Public Schools or the Maryland State Department of Education. Current official policies, notices, records, forms and district decisions control.