kids at midtownMidtown Academychild learning at Midtown

"Uniting Neighborhoods and Celebrating Achievement"

The Application Process

Information for Prospective Parents and Students

1. What is The Midtown Academy?
2. What is a Charter School?
3. Who is eligible to attend Midtown?
4. How do I apply?
5. How do you determine if my child is accepted?
7. Does Midtown have a waiting list?
8. What if I move?

  1. What is The Midtown Academy?

    The Midtown Academy is a Baltimore City public charter school. It was founded as part of the Baltimore City Public School System's (BCPSS) News Schools Initiative in 1997 by a grassroots coalition of parents and teachers in Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill. In 2003 the state of Maryland passed charter school legislation; in 2005, Midtown converted to a charter school.

  2. What is a Charter School?

    The Midtown Academy is one of 22 charter schools in Baltimore City. As a charter school, it receives a certain amount of flexibility-in such areas as school management and administration, educational programming, curriculum and instructional focus, and budget-in exchange for high academic performance. For more information on charter schools, see: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/charter_schools/.

  3. Who is eligible to attend Midtown?

    Midtown was originally founded to serve the communities of Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill, and that continues to be its top priority. Over the years, however, its lottery process has allowed its reach to extend beyond those two neighborhoods, and today Midtown serves students and families from across Baltimore City.

    Students are admitted strictly on a lottery basis, and there are no admissions criteria-other than proof of residency within the school's target zone.

  4. How do I apply?

    You must complete an application form by March 20, 2008 to be eligible for the lottery. The date of the lottery has not been announced, but last year it was held in the first week of April.

  5. How do you determine if my child is accepted?

    The lottery, conducted each year in early spring, works like this: 10 slots each are set aside for Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill. Because siblings of current students are grandfathered in and guaranteed admission to the school, some of these slots are typically taken by incoming siblings. All applicants' names are then put in a hat, and those whose names are drawn are granted the available slots. If either neighborhood fails to fill its slots, the lottery is then opened up to a wider catchment area-to include families with a parent working in one of the two neighborhoods, families living or working in the larger Midtown area and families citywide.

  6. Does Midtown have a waiting list?

    No, Midtown does not have a waiting list. All children must go through the lottery process every year, until they get in.

  7. What if I move?

    As a Baltimore City public school, The Midtown Academy is only available to residents of Baltimore City. Once your child is at Midtown Academy, he or she may continue attending as long as you remain in Baltimore City. Moving out of Reservoir Hill or Bolton Hill will not cause you to loose your spot once your child is enrolled.