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City Springs School

BCP assumed operation of City Springs School in 1996 when the school became one of Baltimore’s first New Schools Initiative (NSI) schools. As an NSI school, the chaotic atmosphere of City Springs was dramatically transformed into a productive and nurturing learning environment. The school quickly gained national recognition for its impressive academic gains.

City Springs School serves 561 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight. In 2005, the school completed its conversion from an elementary school to a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school – adding grade eight in 2005. Ninety-nine percent of the student body is African American, and 9.8 percent receive special education services. As a Title I school, 87.2% of the students are eligible for free/reduced price meals.

In February 2001, City Springs became only the second school in Baltimore's history to be removed from the Maryland State Department of Education's so-called "Recon List" of failing schools. Like all BCP Schools, City Springs began as a neighborhood school and continues to serve the population in its zone.

In 2005, BCP converted City Springs into a charter school.

City Springs Partners

Extra-curricular Programs

  • The City Springs After-School Program, operated by the Baltimore Curriculum Project, is a free 5 day a week, 3 hour a day program offering students academic instruction, cultural enrichment, homework assistance, and recreation.
  • Food for Life, run by food educator Ariel Demas, teaches students about about good cooking habits including hygiene in the kitchen, choosing ingredients, and tasty recipes. The program takes students on a "culinary tour of the world," incorporating science, social studies, music, art, mathematics, and chemistry into the classes.
  • The Inner City Robotics League, run by Tonya Featherstone, combines sport with science and technology. Students compete in teams to design, build, and program various types of robots.
  • The Peer Mediation Program, directed by Ms. Irona Pope, is an after-school program that has taught children and parents how to resolve their differences without violence for over 10 years.
  • The Science Technology and Engineering Program (STEP) , run by Tonya Featherstone, is designed to give students a head start in the areas of science, technology and engineering while simultaneously building their skills in math, reading and writing.

The Battle of City Springs Video

In September 1999, PBS broadcast "The Battle of City Springs," which documented some of the early challenges facing City Springs on its road to transformation and eventual success. A copy of this video can be purchased from BCP by calling 410-235-0015, or by e-mailing us at bcpinfo@baltimorecp.org. The cost is $15.00 and includes a follow-up "Epilogue" to the original broadcast describing some of City Springs' recent achievements.

City Springs School (#8)
100 South Caroline Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: (410) 396-9165
Fax: (410) 396-9113
Rhonda Richetta, Principal

 

 

The Baltimore Curriculum Project, Inc. | 2707 E. Fayette Street | Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: 410-675-7000 | Fax: 410-675-7030 | bcpinfo@baltimorecp.org